Chairman of the City People’s Committee Le Tri Thanh spoke at the meeting

In his welcoming remarks, Chairman Le Tri Thanh expressed his sincere thanks to the leaders of Kyoto Prefecture and Nara Prefecture for participating in the Vietnam - Japan Local Cooperation Forum 2026, emphasizing that the presence of the Japanese local leaders, together with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung was a great honor for Hue City as the host city of the Forum.

Chairman Le Tri Thanh affirmed that Hue, Kyoto Prefecture, and Nara Prefecture are all ancient capitals with rich traditions, distinctive history and culture, and many UNESCO-recognized world heritage sites. These similarities provide a solid foundation for the sides to continuously expand and strengthen their friendly and cooperative relations.

 Chairman of the City People’s Committee Le Tri Thanh exchanged views with Deputy Governor of Kyoto Prefecture Awa Hirronori

Over recent years, the relations between Hue and Kyoto Prefecture and Nara Prefecture have achieved many positive results.

Mr. Le Tri Thanh put forward many key cooperation proposals. With Kyoto Prefecture, Hue City proposed that the two sides agree to upgrade their relationship to a Comprehensive Friendship and Cooperation Agreement; continue to promote cultural exchange by sending art troupes to participate in each other’s festivals; and share experience in heritage conservation and promotion, particularly the application of advanced technology and artificial intelligence (AI).

 Governor of Nara Prefecture Yamashita Makoto spoke at the meeting

With Nara Prefecture, Mr. Le Tri Thanh proposed strengthening exchange between elected bodies, and coordinating the implementation of youth and student exchange programs between Hue University and educational institutions in Nara, starting in 2027. In the fields of education and heritage, he emphasized the need to promote the development of a bilingual heritage education project, digital learning platform, and Vietnam - Japan digital library, as well as sharing experience in applying AI and the IoT in teaching, urban management and the preservation of heritage sites.

In their remarks, the leaders of Kyoto Prefecture and Nara Prefecture expressed their sincere thanks for the warm and thoughtful reception from Hue City’s leaders, departments, and sectors. The leaders of the Japanese delegations said they were deeply impressed by Hue City’s ancient and poetic beauty, as well as the city’s dynamic development.

By THAI BINH