Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted separate receptions in Hanoi on Tuesday for the new ambassadors of Japan and New Zealand who recently began their tenures in Vietnam.

PM Chinh congratulated Ito Naoki on his appointment as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam, after the two nations elevated their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership when celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations last year.

The Vietnamese official extended his thanks to leaders and people of Japan for sending former Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide, who is Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's special envoy, to attend the state funeral of Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, who passed away on July 19 at the age of 80.

PM Chinh expressed his satisfaction with the positive trajectory of the Vietnam - Japan relations, noting that Japan is one of Vietnam's leading economic partners, while people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have kept advancing, with the Vietnamese community in Japan now surpassing 560,000 people.

Appreciating Ito’s experience in working with Vietnam, PM Chinh suggested that the ambassador actively promote the implementation of the newly-upgraded comprehensive strategic partnership during his tenure in the Southeast Asian country.

He hoped that the Japanese diplomat would help strengthen political trust between the two countries via increased high-level visits as well as the promotion of defense, security, and economic cooperation.

The Vietnamese government leader suggested both nations expand their cooperation to new areas such as digital transformation, green transition, innovation, and net-zero emissions through the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC).

AZEC was proposed by Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in 2022 and launched by 11 partner countries including Japan and Vietnam in 2023, as a platform to promote decarbonization in Asia.

PM Chinh also proposed that the ambassador work to boost technology transfer and innovation, human resource and labor cooperation, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people exchanges.

The government leader hoped that the two countries would beef up cooperation in international and regional issues of mutual concern.

Ambassador Ito expressed his pleasure at beginning his tenure in Vietnam at a time when the Hanoi - Tokyo ties have made great strides.

The Japanese diplomat emphasized that his most important task during his stay in Vietnam is to deepen the Vietnam - Japan comprehensive strategic partnership toward the next 50 years.

Ambassador Ito set a goal of doubling bilateral trade between Vietnam and Japan to US$100 billion within 10 years.

During his reception for Ambassador of New Zealand to Vietnam Caroline Beresford, PM Chinh expressed his satisfaction with the outcomes of his official visit to New Zealand in March.

PM Chinh hoped to welcome his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon to Vietnam in 2025.

The Vietnamese cabinet leader suggested that both countries develop a roadmaps to further upgrade the Vietnam - New Zealand bilateral ties as well as to raise two-way trade to $2 billion by the end of 2024 and $3 billion by 2026.

Ambassador Beresford conveyed PM Luxon's regards to PM Chinh and expressed her pleasure in taking up her duties in Vietnam, one of New Zealand’s key partners in Southeast Asia.

The ambassador looks to make contributions to the elevation of the Vietnam - New Zealand bilateral relations.

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