Hanoi: Former Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung were presented with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun at a ceremony in Hanoi on May 2. The event was attended by Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae.

According to Vietnam News Agency, the prestigious award was conferred in recognition of the significant contributions made by the Vietnamese leaders in strengthening the bilateral relations between Japan and Vietnam. The Order of the Rising Sun is one of Japan's highest honors, awarded to individuals who have made outstanding achievements in international relations and cultural exchange.

During the ceremony, both Nong Duc Manh and Nguyen Tan Dung expressed their gratitude for receiving such a distinguished accolade and reiterated their commitment to furthering the friendship and cooperation between the two nations. The presence of both Vietnamese and Japanese prime ministers underscored the importance of the event as a symbol of the enduring partnership between Japan and Vietnam.