Strengthening strategic connectivity on a new legal foundation

Opening the program on the afternoon of April 26, the Hanoi delegation visited and held talks with the Consulate General of Vietnam in Osaka. At the meeting, Consul General Nguyen Truong Son briefed the delegation on positive progress in Vietnam-Japan relations, particularly in the Kansai region, and underscored the consulate's bridging role in promoting local-level cooperation, especially in science and technology, healthcare, and biotechnology.

Overview of the working session with the Consulate General of Vietnam in Osaka on the afternoon of April 26.

Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang highlighted the special significance of the trip, noting that it was Hanoi's first overseas mission after a series of major policy documents had been issued, including Politburo Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW dated March 17, 2026 on "Building and Developing Hanoi Capital in a New Era," the revised Capital Law, and the Capital Master Plan with a 100-year vision. 

According to him, this forms a foundational "three-legged legal framework" enabling Hanoi to pursue its development orientation of becoming a "Cultured, Civilized, Modern, and Happy" capital city.

Thang reaffirmed Hanoi's target of rising to the ranks of the world's developed capitals by 2045 and becoming a high-quality global city by 2065. To realize that ambition, the city will intensify its search for international partners, particularly in large-scale infrastructure development such as urban railways, smart cities, and multi-layer urban spaces. 

He also asked the Consulate General to continue helping Hanoi build deeper connections with localities across the Kansai region.

Connecting Hanoi's innovation ecosystem with Osaka

On the morning of April 27, the Hanoi delegation began its Osaka agenda with a visit to and a working session at Osaka Innovation Hub.

Established in 2013, the center serves as a coordinator, supporter, and connector among government agencies, businesses, universities, and investment funds within Osaka's innovation ecosystem. One of its most notable features is its integrated approach, with a strong focus on core technology sectors such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and green-digital technologies. 

The center operates a 24/7 open innovation space for startups to network and develop products, while also hosting major international events that help businesses gain access to global capital.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang and the city delegation at the Osaka Innovation Hub.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang and the city delegation during the working session at Osaka Innovation Hub.

During discussions, Thang highly appreciated the center's implementation results and its flexible, effective operating model, calling it a valuable reference for Hanoi as it builds and operates its own Hanoi Innovation Center. He stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between the two sides in business connectivity, technology transfer, and startup ecosystem development.

Expanding multi-sector cooperation with Osaka authorities

The delegation then met with Osaka Vice Governor Yamaguchi Nobuhiki. At the meeting, Yamaguchi Nobuhiki expressed his pleasure at welcoming the Hanoi delegation and voiced hope that the visit would mark the beginning of future exchanges and stronger cooperation between Hanoi and Osaka.

Chairman Vu Dai Thang thanked Osaka authorities for their warm reception and congratulated the prefecture on the successful organization of Osaka Expo 2025. He said Hanoi hopes to use this trip to broaden local-level exchanges and deepen cooperation in Osaka's areas of strength, as Hanoi works toward becoming a regional economic and financial center under its 100-year development vision of a "Cultured, Civilized, Modern, and Happy Capital."

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang and the delegation during the meeting with Osaka Vice Governor Yamaguchi Nobuhiki.

With Osaka Prefecture and the broader Kansai region home to more than 30 major enterprises already investing in Hanoi, the city sees this as clear evidence of Japanese business confidence in Hanoi's investment climate. On that basis, Hanoi hopes to continue attracting Osaka investment in high-tech processing and manufacturing, science and technology, digital transformation, biomedicine, and cultural exchange.

Osaka Vice Governor Yamaguchi Nobuhiki presents a commemorative gift to Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang.

Leaders of the two localities agreed to strengthen delegation exchanges at all levels, coordinate the organization of joint events, and promote connections between the Hanoi Innovation Center and Osaka's innovation ecosystem toward deeper cooperation in innovation and startup development.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang and the delegation meet with Osaka Prefectural Assembly Chairman Katsunori Kinjo.

As part of the trip, Thang also held talks with Katsunori Kinjo.

The two sides agreed to increase high-level delegation exchanges, expand cooperation between elected bodies and the councils of both localities, and promote practical collaboration in strong sectors such as biomedicine, innovation, and infrastructure development. They also discussed the possibility of jointly organizing cultural events such as an "Osaka Festival in Hanoi" to strengthen people-to-people exchange and mutual understanding.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang presents a commemorative gift to Osaka Prefectural Assembly Chairman Katsunori Kinjo.

On this occasion, the Hanoi chairman also thanked Osaka Prefecture for its support for the Vietnamese community there and formally invited Osaka's leaders to visit Hanoi in the near future to continue discussions and concretize cooperation plans.

Connecting with Vietnamese experts and young intellectuals in Japan

Later that afternoon, the delegation traveled to Tokyo and continued its agenda with the Embassy of Vietnam in Japan, while also meeting and holding dialogue with Vietnamese intellectuals and experts working in science, technology, and innovation.

 Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang presents a commemorative gift to Vietnamese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan Pham Quang Hieu.

At the meeting, Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu said the visit was particularly significant as the revised Capital Law had just been adopted, opening up breakthrough mechanisms for the development of science, technology, and innovation.

After being briefed on Hanoi's science and technology orientation and digital transformation plans, Vietnamese young experts and scientists in Japan proposed a range of practical solutions to help the city realize its ambitions and improve both economic growth and people’s quality of life. 

These included building a centralized healthcare database system, applying artificial intelligence in medical diagnosis and treatment, researching quantum encryption technology to enhance data security, developing a regulatory sandbox to test new technologies, and creating stronger networks linking international experts and scientists with Hanoi.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang speaks at the dialogue with the Vietnamese intellectual and expert community in science, technology, and innovation.

Addressing the dialogue, Thang affirmed that science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation have become the core drivers determining Hanoi's future development standing.

He said Hanoi is entering a new phase of development filled with opportunity, with a clearly defined goal of becoming an innovation hub for the Asia-Pacific region. The city currently leads the country in digital transformation indicators, has ranked at the top in innovation for several years, and is simultaneously rolling out a series of major projects such as the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, R&D centers, and a venture investment ecosystem.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang and the delegation meet with Vietnamese experts and scientists in science, technology, and digital transformation in Tokyo.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu, and Vietnamese experts and scientists in science, technology, and digital transformation in Tokyo.

Emphasizing the importance of high-quality human resources, Thang described overseas Vietnamese intellectual communities, particularly in Japan, as a strategic resource. He said Hanoi is always ready to welcome young Vietnamese scientists back to work for the city and is prepared to offer favorable and flexible support mechanisms, including remote working arrangements, to create an enabling environment for practical contributions in key sectors such as artificial intelligence, data science, biomedicine, urban technology, and digital transformation.

Thang added that Hanoi also highly values and is ready to coordinate with the Embassy of Vietnam in Japan in promoting the activities of the V-S.T.I.D Intellectual Connectivity Platform.

"We are not only extending invitations, but also stand ready to listen to and absorb scientists' ideas. In Hanoi's development orientation, we hope to receive the support and contributions of young scientists and intellectuals, helping turn this vision into reality and further affirm Hanoi’s position as the nation’s heart," the Hanoi chairman stressed," the Hanoi chairman stressed.