At the event, Tran Xuan Toan, Vice President of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association, announced the official founding of the branch. Pham Huy Binh, Chairman of the board of members at Saigontourist Group, will lead the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association’s branch at Saigontourist Group.
During the ceremony, Nguyen Phuoc Loc, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and President of the Ho Chi Minh City’s Vietnam – Japan Friendship Association, stated that the establishment of the Vietnam – Japan Friendship Association at Saigontourist Group took place on the 64th birthday anniversary of Emperor Naruhito. With the establishment of the Saigontourist Group branch, the total number of branches under the Vietnam – Japan Friendship Association has now reached 26.
Loc also emphasized that the cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Japan is considered one of the most significant achievements in Vietnam-Japan cooperation. Currently, Japan is the fifth largest trading partner, export market, and third largest investor of Ho Chi Minh City. As of November 2023, Ho Chi Minh City had 1,657 Japanese investment projects worth 5.7 billion USD, which accounted for 10% of the city’s total foreign investment capital. The partnership between Ho Chi Minh City and Japanese localities and partners is always a top priority.
President of the Ho Chi Minh City’s Vietnam – Japan Friendship Association, Nguyen Phuoc Loc, and Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, Ono Masuo, presented the decision to establish the Vietnam – Japan Friendship Association’s branch at Saigontourist Group. (Photo: thanhuytphcm.vn) |
This event holds significant meaning as it marks a new milestone in the partnership between Saigontourist Group and their Japanese counterparts, remarked Pham Huy Binh.
Binh stated, “With the establishment of the Association’s branch and the support of the Ho Chi Minh City’s Vietnam – Japan Friendship Association, we believe that the cooperative relationship between Saigontourist Group, the tourism and service businesses of Ho Chi Minh City, and our Japanese partners will continue to strengthen, solidify, and develop. This will not only enhance friendship and collaboration between the two nations in general but also contribute to the growth of the Vietnam-Japan tourism industry in particular.”
Through the Association’s branch, Saigontourist Group will continue conducting tourism promotion activities between the two countries in various areas such as accommodation, travel, cuisine, events, fairs, and entertainment. Additionally, they will replicate successful cooperation models between Vietnamese and Japanese enterprises. As a result, they are developing unique incentive packages for Japanese visitors to Vietnam and the Japanese community residing and working in Vietnam.
To celebrate the establishment of the Association’s branch and attract more Japanese tourists, over 70 hotels, resorts, restaurants, entertainment areas, and tour companies operated by Saigontourist Group will offer special promotions on accommodation services, dining, and sightseeing tours for Japanese visitors to Vietnam and the Japanese community currently residing and working in Vietnam, starting from March 1 to December 31, 2024.