Promoting Vietnam-Japan investment relations for mutual development and creativity

The forum, held in Hue City, centered on Prime Minister Le Minh Hung chairing the working group with representatives of Japanese companies. The heads of foreign affairs, science and technology, and government agencies, the Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam, and representatives of business organizations and companies also attended. At the meeting, Japanese companies presented the current status and challenges of their investments and business operations, calling for action and solutions from the government. The Vietnamese side expressed its intention to respond constructively.

Bilateral trade in the first half of 2026 reached US$33.7 billion from January to July, an increase of 16.8% year on year. Of this total, exports from Vietnam to Japan amounted to approximately US$17.6 billion, while imports from Japan amounted to approximately US$16.1 billion, representing increases of approximately 16.6% and 17%, respectively.

Japan has remained among Vietnam's top 3 investment sources for many years. As of the end of July 2026, its cumulative investment capital totaled approximately US$80.3 billion, ranking 3rd among 153 investment destinations. Cumulative ODA lending totaled approximately ¥3 trillion. This fiscal year's cooperation policy covers a wide range of areas, including high-tech agriculture, infrastructure, digital transformation and semiconductors, with an emphasis on joint development and stronger long-term cooperation.

The Prime Minister outlined a policy of shifting toward a new partnership centered on cooperation and innovation, rather than simply accepting foreign capital, and emphasized specific government measures including the development of high-quality human resources, technology transfer, regulatory reviews and the simplification of procedures.