Vietnam and Japan Strengthen Cooperation in Science, Technology, and Innovation

Strategic Insights -

Vietnam and Japan, two long-standing allies, have upgraded their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and around the world since 2023. The Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam, ITO Naoki, emphasized the importance of cooperation in science and technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. The two countries have made significant progress in various fields, including semiconductor chips and artificial intelligence, clean energy projects, and economic and trade cooperation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Vietnam and Japan have upgraded their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and around the world since 2023.
  • Science and technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation are identified as important pillars for future cooperation between the two countries.
  • The two sides have started to cooperate in international studies and achieved initial results in the field of semiconductor chips and artificial intelligence (AI).
  • Vietnam will send 60 graduate students to train at Japanese universities from October 2025, and Vietnam Japan University will open semiconductor technology training programs for 100 students from the same month.
  • Japan is considering providing $300 million loans for wind power projects, liquefied gases, and environmental projects in Vietnam.
  • Accumulated investment from Japan in Vietnam reached $80 billion, while trade turnover between the two countries reached nearly $50 billion.
  • Over 2,000 Japanese enterprises are investing in Vietnam.
  • The two countries have achieved significant progress in national security and defense cooperation, with Japan pledging to continue accompanying Vietnam to ensure peace and stability in the region and around the world.
  • Vietnam aims to welcome one million tourists by 2030, and the two countries will have tourism promotion activities, cultural, and sports cooperation to achieve this goal.
  • Japan is ready to share its experience on the two-level government model with Vietnam, as well as supporting and contributing to Vietnam's development goals.

Statistics:

  • $20 billion worth of 15 clean energy projects are being implemented by Vietnam and Japan.
  • $300 million loans are being considered by Japan for wind power projects, liquefied gases, and environmental projects in Vietnam.
  • $80 billion worth of accumulated investment from Japan in Vietnam.
  • $50 billion worth of trade turnover between Vietnam and Japan.
  • 2,000 Japanese enterprises are investing in Vietnam.
  • 60 Vietnamese graduate students will start training at Japanese universities from October 2025.
  • 100 Vietnamese students will be trained in semiconductor technology programs at Vietnam Japan University from October 2025.

Sources:

  • Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
  • Japanese Prime Minister's official website
  • Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam's press meeting
  • VGP/Than
  • VNA