Welcoming Minister Matsumoto Yohei to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh noted that since the two countries upgraded their relationship to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World" in 2023, bilateral cooperation in culture and sports has yielded substantive results, deeply strengthening friendship and people-to-people exchanges.
Going beyond superficial diplomatic activities, this bond has deepened through a series of annual events, such as Vietnam tourism and culture promotion festivals in various Japanese localities, film weeks, symphony concerts, and grand opera performances. The hundreds of thousands of visitors annually serve as the most accurate gauge of the growing interest and desire among the people of both nations to learn about each other's cultures.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh speaking at the meeting
Shared philosophies regarding the cherishing of past values have created a solid foundation for cooperation in the field of heritage. Most recently, Vietnam actively supported UNESCO's official inscription of Japan's "Asuka and Fujiwara Ancient Capitals" complex (Nara Prefecture, Japan) as a World Heritage Site this past July. Conversely, the steadfast and professional partnership of Japanese agencies and experts has left a significant mark on many key heritage sites in Vietnam—ranging from the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the My Son Sanctuary, and the Japanese Covered Bridge (Hoi An) to the ancient villages of Duong Lam, Phuoc Tich, and Dong Hoa Hiep.
This collaboration is now extending to the heritage-rich region of Ninh Binh. The Memorandum of Understanding signed in late August between the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties and Ninh Binh Province serves as a foundation for both parties to implement in-depth survey and research projects, as well as human resource training programs, at the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. Combining Japan's modern conservation expertise with Vietnam's rich heritage not only helps revitalize historical values but also drives sustainable tourism development for local communities.
Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh welcomes Mr. Matsumoto Yohei, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.
Alongside heritage conservation, a key topic of discussion was the protection of copyright and intellectual property rights. As Vietnam focuses resources on developing its cultural industries, copyright enforcement is recognized as a prerequisite for fostering a healthy environment for creative activities.
Outlining Vietnam's strategic direction, Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh emphasized that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is implementing a comprehensive set of institutional measures. A major breakthrough is the assignment of judicial expertise functions to the Copyright Office of Vietnam. This new regulation streamlines the processing of infringement cases, reduces verification time, and enhances the overall effectiveness of copyright protection. Furthermore, the Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Public Security to review, detect early, and strictly penalize—including through criminal prosecution—acts of copyright infringement in the digital space.
Regarding the legislative roadmap, Vietnam is urgently finalizing the draft Law on Cultural Industry Development and the Law on Copyright for submission to the National Assembly during the 2027–2028 period. Japan—a nation possessing a world-leading legal system and expertise in copyright management—highly values these proactive steps taken by Vietnam.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stands ready to collaborate with Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in relevant areas.
Minister Matsumoto Yohei affirmed that a robust copyright protection system is an essential "passport" for taking national cultural products to the global stage. Japan is prepared to share practical experience and assist Vietnam in refining its legal framework, training personnel, and establishing effective monitoring mechanisms. Early prevention and thorough handling of copyright infringement not only protect the fruits of artists' labor but also build the confidence needed to attract international investment into Vietnam's creative market.
Beyond culture, sports continue to serve as a vital bridge fostering connections between the youth of both nations. Looking ahead to the 20th Asian Games (ASIAD 20) in Japan, the Vietnamese delegation plans to compete in 29 sports, comprising 351 athletes, 84 coaches, 17 foreign experts, and a team of medical staff and support personnel. Minister Matsumoto Yohei pledged that Japan would ensure the best possible facilities, logistics, and organizational arrangements to create an optimal competitive environment for the athletes.
Overview of the working session
The vision for cooperation between the two Ministries extends beyond the bilateral level, aiming also toward significant multilateral forums. On this occasion, Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh extended a formal invitation to the Japanese side to attend the APEC High-Level Policy Dialogue on Cultural and Creative Industries. This is a key event hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism within the framework of APEC Vietnam 2027, themed: "Cultural and Creative Industries: A New, Sustainable Growth Engine for the Economy."
The event is expected to serve as a premier regional platform for policy dialogue, where APEC member economies can discuss solutions to transform heritage and creativity into new drivers of economic growth.
Ha Phuong