Japan PM Takaichi Sanae begins 1st official visit to Vietnam

Vietnam is the first stop in her broader tour that also includes Australia.

The tour coincides with Japan’s Golden Week holiday period, which lasts from April 29 to May 6.

PM Takaichi was welcomed at Noi Bai International Airport by senior Vietnamese officials, including Dang Xuan Phong, Minister-Chairman of the Government Office; Nguyen Minh Vu, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu.

PM Takaichi is accompanied by a high-level delegation from Japan’s Cabinet Office and key ministries including foreign affairs, economy, trade and industry, agriculture, defense, transport, and internal affairs and communications.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper ahead of her visit, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki said the trip, coming just weeks after Vietnam’s new leadership was elected, underscores Tokyo’s high regard for Vietnam and its growing role in international affairs.

During the visit, PM Takaichi will hold talks with Vietnam’s top leaders, aiming to build strong personal ties with the new administration and deepen bilateral cooperation.

Both sides are expected to discuss strengthening the Vietnam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership, established in 2023, with a focus on economic security, energy, critical minerals, and science and technology.

Japan remains Vietnam’s largest provider of official development assistance, biggest labor cooperation partner, third-largest investor, and fourth-largest tourism and trade partner.

Bilateral trade reached approximately US$52 billion in 2025.

In January 2026 alone, trade turnover hit $4.87 billion, up 27.7 percent year on year.

Japan currently has 5,722 active investment projects in Vietnam worth $78.9 billion.

Ambassador Ito revealed that PM Takaichi will deliver a major policy address at Vietnam National University, Hanoi, presenting Tokyo’s updated vision for a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific.’

The ambassador described the speech as a “golden message” highlighting Vietnam’s strategic importance in ASEAN and the wider Indo-Pacific.

The ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ initiative, launched a decade ago, aims to promote regional cooperation, respect for international law, and ensure peace and stability.

PM Takaichi said that the strategy must be updated to reflect today’s global challenges.

The ambassador emphasized that choosing Vietnam as the venue reflects Japan’s recognition of Hanoi’s strategic importance within ASEAN and the wider Indo-Pacific region.