Participants take a group photo at a ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People's Army. (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at a ceremony in Tokyo on Wednesday to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People's Army and the 35th anniversary of the All-People National Defense Festival, Hieu said Vietnam has established defense ties with more than 100 countries and participated in the United Nations peacekeeping missions since 2014.

He said: "Since Vietnam and Japan established diplomatic ties 50 years ago, bilateral friendship has grown steadily in various fields. Japan has become a top reliable, important strategic partner of Vietnam. Our defense cooperation has expanded, deepened, and become a cornerstone of bilateral relations. Vietnam and Japan share many strategic interests."

"The upgrading of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has created a new momentum for multifaceted cooperation, including defense cooperation. I believe that Vietnam-Japan defense cooperation will rise to a new height for the benefit of both countries and for the peace and prosperity of the region and the world,” said the Ambassdor.