Da Nang steps up investment, environmental and tourism cooperation with Japanese partners
DNO - While attending the 15th Asian-Pacific City Summit (APCS 15) in Japan, a delegation from Da Nang had working sessions with the authorities of Nagasaki and Shiga prefectures, as well as the Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren) on October 22 and 23. The delegation was led by Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Tran Nam Hung.
The visits aimed to strengthen cooperative ties, exchange experience and explore new partnership opportunities with Japanese localities and partners.
The Da Nang delegation included representatives from the municipal departments of Foreign Affairs, Construction, and Agriculture and Environment, as well as the city’s Management Board for Civil, Industrial and Technical Infrastructure Construction Projects.
When meeting with Nagasaki Prefecture Governor Hirata Ken on October 22, Vice Chairman Hung congratulated him on his appointment as Governor in March 2026.
He affirmed that Da Nang always highly valued its friendly relationship with Nagasaki. He expressed the city’s desire to expand cooperation based on the respective potential, strengths, and needs of both sides.
Both sides spoke highly of the results of cooperation in cultural exchanges, heritage preservation, tourism, education and human resource development.
He added that the re-signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on establishing friendly relations in June 2026 further strengthened the foundation for the two localities to develop concrete cooperation programs for the coming period.
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Da Nang proposed jointly organizing commemorative activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of their bilateral ties in 2027. Included will be seminars and discussions on cooperation, cultural exchanges, tourism promotion and business networking.
The two sides also discussed the possibility of staging a public performance of the opera Anio, which recounts the historical relationship between Japanese merchant Araki Sotaro and Vietnamese Princess Ngoc Hoa.
They worked to promote the launch of direct charter flights between Nagasaki and Da Nang in 2027 so as to boost tourism activities, people-to-people exchanges and economic cooperation.
On the occasion, Mr. Tran Nam Hung extended a formal invitation to Governor Hirata Ken and Nagasaki's officials to visit Da Nang in 2027.
As part of their program in Nagasaki, the Da Nang delegation paid tribute at the graves of Vietnamese Princess Ngoc Hoa and Japanese merchant Araki Sotaro at Daionji Temple.
On October 23, the delegation paid a courtesy call on Shiga Vice Governor Orie Kishimoto.
Representatives of the Shiga prefectural government shared their experience in promoting economic development alongside environmental protection, particularly in conserving Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake.
In addition to its manufacturing industries, Shiga has extensive experience and advanced technologies in wastewater treatment, improving water quality and protecting ecosystems.
Vice Chairman Hung said that, given Da Nang’s advantages in its coastal areas, rivers, lakes and diverse ecosystems, the city is focusing on improving environmental quality, managing water resources and treating wastewater as it continues to develop its urban areas.
He added that Shiga’s practical experience would provide Da Nang with additional insights for studying sustainable development solutions.
During their visit to Shiga, the delegation also surveyed the Konan Chubu Wastewater Treatment Center and the Ohmi Environmental Exhibition and Information Center.
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Also on October 23, the delegation held a working session with the Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren) in Osaka.
Established in 1946, Kankeiren is a comprehensive economic organization representing the Kansai region, with more than 1,300 members. It plays a key role in connecting the business community and promoting international economic cooperation.
Mr. Tran Nam Hung called on Kankeiren to help promote Da Nang’s investment environment and connect the city with Japanese businesses, major corporations and financial institutions.
Da Nang proposed several priority areas for investment such as International Financial Center, a Free Trade Zone, industrial parks and hi-tech parks.
Other areas of focus include research and technology transfer in semiconductors, artificial intelligence and green transformation, as well as partnerships between businesses and universities to develop a skilled workforce.
The Da Nang leader also proposed maintaining a regular channel for information exchange with Kankeiren and expressed his readiness to provide information on the city’s investment environment, development plans and priority projects to help businesses in the Kansai region learn about potential cooperation opportunities.