Ninh Binh Province Strengthens Partnerships and Friendship with Japanese City

Ninh Binh province and Saiki city (Oita province, Japan) have just signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation, exchange and friendship.

After nearly six months of hard work from both local governments, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Vietnamese Embassy in Fukuoka, Japan, the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation and friendship between Ninh Binh Province and Saiki City was held at the Saiki City Government Headquarters.

The grand signing ceremony was held during Saiki City’s annual Sakura Festival in 2023 to commemorate the milestone 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan.

The signing ceremony marks the beginning of a promising new era in the relationship between the two localities, one characterized by economic development and cultural exchange that will go a long way in fortifying the friendship and fostering a robust strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan.

Attending the signing ceremony on the side of Saiki City were Tanaka Toshiaki, the Mayor of Saiki City; Kawano Yutaka, the Chairman of the City Council, along with leaders of various departments and branches, and the Chairman of the city’s business association.

On the side of Ninh Binh Province, Nguyen Cao Son, the Vice Chairman of the Ninh Binh Provincial People’s Committee, joined the leaders of the Provincial Women’s Union, the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Planning and Investment, the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chairman of Nho Quan District, for a signing ceremony, which was witnessed by the Vietnamese Consul General in Fukuoka, Vu Chi Mai.

At the signing ceremony, Vice Chairman of Ninh Binh People’s Committee Son provided an overview of the province’s socio-economic situation and key fields. He emphasized the importance of the signing minutes as an “essential international agreement, which is the cornerstone of the friendly relationship between the two governments and will open up many possibilities for businesses and citizens of Ninh Binh and Saiki to cooperate in the future.”

More specifically, this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan, further cementing the extensive strategic partnership between the two countries, as they look to the future and reach out to the world.

Mayor Tanaka Toshiaki expressed his joy and recounted the journey and preparation process that the two sides had to go through to reach the results of today. He declared that the relationship between Ninh Binh province and Saiki city would be further strengthened, bringing mutual benefits in areas such as economy, culture, exchange, investment cooperation, and exchange of business delegations and leaders at all levels of the province.

The Consul General of Vietnam, Vu Chi Mai, delivered a heartfelt congratulatory speech and expressed his endorsement of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two localities, which aims to create a mutually beneficial relationship for their collective development. This event marks the deepening of the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan, and also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In his address at the signing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee and Saiki City Mayor expressed their gratitude to the Vietnamese Consulate General in Fukuoka for their invaluable support and assistance that enabled the two cities to reach the signing today.

Ninh Binh delegates take part in the Sakura Festival in Sailki City.

On the same day, the delegation from Ninh Binh province, led by Consul General Vu Chi Mai, attended the Sakura Festival in Saiki city. At the opening ceremony, the mayor of Saiki city, Son, made a speech to inform the press and citizens about the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between Ninh Binh province and Saiki city.

The Sakura Festival is held annually in the spring, making it the most important festival of the year for Saiki – the southernmost city in Oita prefecture. Every year, locals and visitors alike flock to the city to witness the breathtaking beauty of the blooming cherry blossoms and partake in the lively festivities.