The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) presented the insignia “Peace and Friendship among Nations” to the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Society of Hiroshima Prefecture and its President, Sugimoto Reiji and Secretary General, Kobayashi Kazunari.

The presentation ceremony was jointly held in Ho Chi Minh City on Dec. 24 by VUFO and the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association in HCM City .

VUFO insignia honours individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to consolidating and strengthening friendship between Vietnam and other countries for peace, friendship, cooperation and development.

Speaking at the event, Sugimoto Reiji said he hopes Vietnam and Japan will continue working together for peace in each country as well as in the world over.

He recalled that Vietnam was one of the first providers of aid to Japanese people in the post-earthquake and tsunami period, saying the assistance, though not big, offered great encouragement to the Japanese people, helping tighten friendship and solidarity between the two countries.

Established in 1976, the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Society of Hiroshima prefecture has worked to promote solidarity and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan as well as between Hiroshima and HCM City in particular. It has especially involved in taking care of orphans, children with disabilities, and AO/dioxin child victims in Vietnam./.