Vietnamese Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan and Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito.

Ms Doan said she was happy to receive the Japanese Crown Prince in Vietnam for the first time and thanked the Japanese Emperor and Empress as well as the prince for their deep feelings for the Vietnamese people.

She appreciated Japan’s heart-felt support and valuable assistance to Vietnam during its current process of national construction and economic development. She expressed hope that Japan would continue to help Vietnam preserve its traditional cultural heritage.

Both host and guest expressed their pleasure at the rapid development of the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in recent times. They said that in 2008 the two countries jointly carried out numerous cultural activities to mark the 35^th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties, particularly the Vietnam Cultural Week in Japan with Crown Prince Naruhito attending the opening ceremony.

Prince Naruhito praised Vietnam’s achievements during the Doi Moi (Renewal) process and affirmed that Japan attaches great importance to developing ties with Vietnam.

Mrs Doan conveyed her best regards to Emperor Akihito and the Empress.

Later she gave a banquet in honour of the Crown Prince and his entourage.

In the afternoon, the Japanese prince visited Nguyen Dinh Chieu primary school for visually impaired children. Japan has carried out a project to provide equipment to the school.

Crown Prince Naruhito arrived in Hanoi on February 9 for a week long visit to Vietnam at the invitation of State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan. He is scheduled to visit economic and cultural centres in Hanoi, Hue city, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

VietNamNet/VOV