At the beginning of the meeting, representing the leadership of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Deputy Minister Hoàng Đạo Cương affirmed: since 2023, when the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the world, cooperation between the two countries in the field of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has achieved many substantial results, deeply consolidating the friendship and people-to-people exchanges.
In the field of Sports, the Deputy Minister congratulated Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya City for being entrusted by the Olympic Council of Asia and the Asian Paralympic Committee to host the 20th Asian Games (ASIAD 20) and the 5th Asian Para Games in September and October 2026.
According to the Deputy Minister, this is a particularly significant milestone as Japan hosts the ASIAD for the third time and the Asian Para Games for the first time. With extensive experience in successfully organising many large-scale international sports events, Aichi Prefecture will surely host two successful Games, leaving a positive mark on the Asian sports movement.
Towards ASIAD 20 and the 5th Asian Para Games, Deputy Minister Hoàng Đạo Cương hopes to continue receiving the attention, cooperation, and support of the Aichi provincial government and the Organising Committee of the Games. In this regard, the Deputy Minister requested that the Japanese side support the Vietnamese Sports Delegation in the process of registration, confirmation of eligibility, entry, accommodation, transportation, and participation in the Games. At the same time, pay attention to supporting coordination work, information exchange, and timely resolution of issues arising during the preparation and participation in the Games; create conditions for Vietnamese athletes and coaches to have a favourable and safe environment for competition and activities.
Within the framework of the meeting, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also hopes to continue enhancing cooperative activities and sports exchanges between Aichi Prefecture and Viet Nam after the Games; promoting delegation exchanges, training athletes and coaches, sharing experiences in organising international sports events, and developing high-performance sports as well as sports for people with disabilities...
Sincerely thanking the honourable and cordial reception from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Deputy Minister Hoàng Đạo Cương for the delegation, Aichi Governor Ohmura Hideaki stated that the province always wishes to promote cooperation in various fields with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, as well as with localities in Viet Nam. Cooperation in the near future can be promoted through the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Aichi Prefecture and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
In the field of Sports, sharing about the upcoming ASIAD, Governor Ohmura Hideaki stated that Aichi will welcome around 15,000 athletes to participate in the Games. The provincial government hopes to welcome a delegation of Vietnamese officials, coaches, and athletes to participate in the Games and affirms that it will provide positive support to the delegation. In addition to sports competitions, he hopes that both sides will enhance exchanges and promote cooperation opportunities for a strong Asia.
In addition, representatives from both sides also discussed enhancing cooperation in the field of culture. In which, Deputy Minister Hoàng Đạo Cương also emphasised that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been organising the Vietnam Festival in Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Hokkaido annually for the past 10 years, making the event a prominent annual activity in cultural cooperation between the two countries, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors, and creating a special brand of Vietnamese culture among the Japanese public.
Based on that, the Deputy Minister also proposed that the Aichi government consider coordinating with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to organise a Viet Nam Festival in Aichi Prefecture. The event will not only expand the cultural exchange space between Vietnam and Japan but also become a festival for the Vietnamese community in Aichi, contributing to the connection of expatriates with their homeland. At the same time, it will enhance people-to-people exchanges and deepen the relationship between the two countries.
Regarding the connection to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, the city of Nagoya (in Aichi Prefecture) has been recognised by UNESCO as a member city of the Creative Cities Network in the field of design. Vietnam currently has 4 cities in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, including: Hanoi, Da Lat (Lam Dong), Hoi An (Da Nang), and Ho Chi Minh City. HCM, the Deputy Minister suggested that Aichi Province and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism strengthen connections between the creative cities of the two countries; promote cooperation between creative spaces, design centers, art incubators, training institutions, and businesses operating in the cultural industry. …
With the proposals from the Deputy Minister, Governor Ohmura Hideaki stated that the Viet Nam - Ho Chi Minh City Festival 2025, to be held in Aichi, has opened up an emotional cultural space, attracting the participation of a large number of Japanese people and Vietnamese expatriates. He affirmed that when there is a proposal from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Aichi Prefecture will study and coordinate the organization of cultural festivals to bring the people of Vietnam and Japan closer together.
Huyen Trang