Japan bestows Order of the Rising Sun on 2 former Vietnamese leaders

The awards ceremony was jointly organized by the Vietnamese and Japanese governments in Hanoi on Saturday evening, with senior officials from both countries in attendance.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae co-chaired the ceremony, which took place during Takaichi’s official visit to Vietnam from May 1 to 3.

Following the Japanese ambassador to Vietnam’s announcement of the Japanese Emperor’s decision at the event, Takaichi, on behalf of the state and government of Japan, presented the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun to former Party General Secretary Manh and former PM Dung, according to the Vietnam Government Portal.

Expressing his gratitude and honor upon receiving the award, Manh said the honor reflects the collective efforts of generations of leaders and people in both Vietnam and Japan in nurturing and advancing bilateral ties.

He added that both he and Dung were deeply honored to have contributed to the development of Vietnam–Japan relations.

During his tenure as Party General Secretary, Manh paid an official visit to Japan in 2009, during which he and then Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso issued a joint statement establishing a ‘strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia,’ marking an important milestone in bilateral relations.

Dung, who served as prime minister from 2006 to 2016, was credited with strengthening coordination and advancing practical cooperation between the two countries.

Under his leadership, Vietnam–Japan relations became more substantive and effective across key areas, including politics, economics, and people-to-people exchanges.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, ties between Vietnam and Japan have steadily grown over more than five decades.

The two countries elevated their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world in 2023.

The conferral of the order underscored Japan’s recognition of the contributions of the two former Vietnamese leaders, as well as its appreciation of broader efforts by both governments and peoples to foster closer bilateral ties that continue to deliver tangible benefits to citizens of both countries.

First established in 1875 during the Meiji era, the Order of the Rising Sun is one of Japan’s most prestigious decorations, awarded in multiple classes to Japanese and foreign individuals in recognition of their distinguished achievements.

The Grand Cordon is the highest class of the order.

In recent years, Japan has also awarded various classes of the Order of the Rising Sun to Vietnamese individuals who have made significant contributions to bilateral relations.