From heritage preservation to development cooperation

Japan has for many years been one of Hue’s key partners, with cooperation spanning areas closely linked to the city’s strengths and development needs.

Japanese support has been channelled into cultural heritage preservation, as well as ODA-funded projects serving local communities, including wastewater treatment and flood prevention. Japan has also provided medical equipment and supported the training of high-quality human resources in health care. Cooperation in education and tourism between Hue and Japanese partners has likewise been maintained and expanded.

In recent years, cooperation has broadened further as several major Japanese groups have chosen Hue to develop operations in areas, including green industry, information technology software, trade, food and services.

The developments reflect a gradual expansion of Hue-Japan cooperation from traditional areas into sectors linked to the green transition, technology and the city’s emerging development needs.

Forum opens new avenues for cooperation

In this context, the 2026 Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum, taking place in Hue on September 5 - 6, provides an opportunity for the city to strengthen connections with Japanese localities, organisations and businesses.

As part of the forum, Hue is taking part in discussions on the Vietnam-Japan local innovation ecosystem and the development of cultural industries through heritage preservation. The city is also holding bilateral meetings and signing or exchanging cooperation agreements with Japanese partners, including Kyoto Prefecture, Nara Prefecture, Shizuoka City and the Vietnam-Japan Centre for Cultural and Educational Cooperation Promotion.

One of the highlights is the Hue-Japan Connectivity Conference, along with the handover of a memorandum of understanding between Hue City and Shizuoka City and the signing of an action plan between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Hue City People’s Committee for the 2026-2030 period.

These activities provide additional channels for Hue to present its cooperation needs while identifying suitable partners in areas that the city has prioritised for development.

An exhibition space featuring photographs and local products is also part of the forum. Hue is showcasing nature-based and environmentally friendly products, including sedge products, Hue ao dai and handicrafts.

According to the Hue Centre for Investment, Trade Promotion and Business Support, distinctive local products, environmentally friendly goods and handmade handicrafts have potential for connection with the Japanese market. Participation in trade promotion, exchanges and cooperation activities is expected to help Hue businesses expand their markets, raise brand awareness and gain access to more distributors and business partners.

Alongside trade promotion, the city also hopes to expand cooperation in investment, ODA, tourism, culture and human resource development, thereby mobilising additional resources for socio-economic development.

In the longer term, the connections forged through the forum could provide a foundation for Hue to maintain regular exchanges with Japanese localities, organisations and businesses and gradually translate cooperation into more specific areas and projects.

Vietnam-Japan local cooperation forum to bring over 700 delegates to Hue

VOV.VN - More than 700 Vietnamese and Japanese delegates will gather in Hue on September 5 - 6 for the 2026 Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum, focusing on innovation, digital transformation, green development and cultural industries linked to heritage preservation.