The 4th high-level meeting between Ministry of Construction of Vietnam and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan

The 4th Deputy Ministerial Meeting between the Ministry of Construction of Vietnam and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (MLIT) was held at the MoC’s headquarter on December 21^st. On Vietnamese side, there was Deputy Minister Nguyen Tuong Van; leaders of units under the Ministry of Construction. On Japanese side, there was Deputy Minister Nishida Shoji; leaders of units under MLIT.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Tuong Van spoke at the meeting

Deputy Minister Nguyen Tuong Van highly appreciated the friendly cooperation between Vietnam and Japan over the years. Especially since 2014, the cooperation had been elevated to level of an extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia.

In 2010, the Ministry of Construction of Vietnam and MLIT signed many Memorandums of Understanding on cooperation on urban development; drainage and wastewater treatment; training human resources in the construction industry… By 2015, the two Ministries signed a 3-year general cooperation agreement for the period 2015 - 2018 on cooperation in the field of construction and urban development. By 2018 this agreement continued to be signed by the two ministries, lasting until 2021. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two sides could not hold a signing ceremony to continue this cooperation. Therefore, the Ministry of Construction hoped that the two sides would soon sign an extension of the cooperation memorandum in 2023, on the occasion of the two countries' 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.

Currently, Japan is an important partner outside the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN). MLIT cooperates with the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Chair to organize the annual ASCN - Japan Network Summit from 2019. In 2020, Vietnam played the role of ASEAN Chair, the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction has cooperated with MLIT to successfully organize the 2nd Summit in online form. In 2021 and 2022, the Ministry of Construction was the representative of Vietnam to attend and speak at the 3rd and 4th Summits via online.

 The whole meeting

In the field of drainage and wastewater treatment, MLIT has supported long-term experts at the Department of Technical Infrastructure, shared Japan's experience, and supported Vietnam to develop mechanisms and policies for the drainage and wastewate, construction of underground works using underground pipe jacking technology; cooperation in drainage and wastewater treatment projects with localities.

In the field of norms, cost and contract management, safety and quality in construction investment projects, MLIT has provided experts through JICA's project implemented at the Ministry of Construction (including Project capacity building in cost estimation, contract management, quality and safety in construction investment projects; capacity building in improving state management tools for construction investment projects.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Tuong Van believed that the meeting which helped Vietnam to understand Japanese standards and regulations system applied in Vietnam.

 Deputy Minister Nishida Shoji spoke at the meeting

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Nishida Shoji highly appreciated the cooperation relationship between the Ministry of Construction and MLIT over the past time, especially cooperation programs and projects in the fields of construction, drainage and water treatment, smart city development.

Deputy Minister Nishida Shoji said that Vietnam's growing economy along with population growth would create a great demand for construction, development and quality improvement of technical infrastructure. Therefore, he desired that two sides would actively discuss and share experiences in the fields of state management functions of the Ministry of Construction and MLIT.

 Deputy Minister Nguyen Tuong Van and Deputy Minister Nishida Shoji took a photo with delegates.

At the meeting, on the basis of suggestions and orientations of Deputy Minister Nguyen Tuong Van and Deputy Minister Nishida Shoji, leaders and experts of the two ministries actively exchanged information and shared experiences in the areas of mutual interest, including construction economy cooperation in the period 2021-2025; legal status and orientation of cooperation in the field of water drainage and wastewater treatment; overview of Vietnam's urban system and cooperation in smart city development.