At the reception, Deputy Prime Minister Minh expressed his belief that with rich diplomatic experience, the ambassador will make a lot of contributions to the Viet Nam-Japan strategic partnership which is developing very well.

He said that the two countries’ leaders have had phone talks in recent times to exchange views on COVID-19 prevention, as well as to promote bilateral economic cooperation in the coming time.

He noted the ambassador assumed the role at a time when the two countries have been controlling the COVID-19 epidemic well, and when Viet Nam is taking on the role of the ASEAN Chair in 2020 and the non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

These are favorable conditions for the two countries to continue promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation, said Minh.

Briefing the Japanese diplomat on the COVID-19 fight, the Deputy PM said Viet Nam has gone through 49 days without new locally transmitted infections, while 92% of the total cases confirmed have fully recovered from the disease, and no deaths have been reported.

In addition, Viet Nam has begun to reboot its economy and permitted foreign specialists, business managers and highly skilled workers to enter the country.

On this occasion, Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh thanked Japan for its support and assistance to the COVID-19 fight in Viet Nam, as well as Japan's ODA funds to the country in recent years.

For his part, Ambassador Yamada Takio hailed Viet Nam’s initial success in combating COVID-19 and affirmed that he will do his utmost to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

Earlier, Ambassador Yamada Takio presented his credentials to Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong.