As part of the 2nd Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung hosted a working meeting with representatives of Japanese companies in Hue, where a proposal was put forward to transform investment ties into a partnership centered on mutual development and creation.
On the morning of 6 September, a working meeting was held in Hue, where representatives of Japanese companies openly exchanged information on investment, production and business conditions and raised issues requiring action by the government and ministries. The Prime Minister called for cooperation between government agencies and the private sector and instructed them to conduct prompt progress reviews and prepare a concrete roadmap.
According to a report on the meeting, Japan-Vietnam trade reached US$33.7 billion in the first half of 2026, an increase of more than 16% from the same period a year earlier. Cumulative investment capital from Japan stood at approximately US$80.3 billion, while total ODA loans were said to amount to approximately ¥3 trillion.
Dobashi (土橋), chairman of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam, said Japanese companies valued Vietnam's stability and growth potential and would continue making long-term investments. In response to proposals from Japanese companies, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of clarifying regulations and ensuring transparency.
The Prime Minister proposed guiding cooperation between the two countries beyond an "investor-investee" relationship toward mutual development, creation, joint research, joint innovation, joint production and the strengthening of global value chains. He also expressed his intention to attract high-quality foreign direct investment through cooperation with Japanese companies.