Hanoi, Tokyo police strengthen bilateral, local-to-local friendship through football
Friendly football fosters deeper ties between the Hanoi Department of Public Security and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, promoting mutual understanding, cooperation and long-term partnership.
THE HANOI TIMES — A friendly soccer match between Hanoi and Tokyo police officers took place on the weekend in Tokyo to strengthen the local-to-local bonds between the two capital cities.
The game was cheered on by officials from the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, the Japan Football Association, Saitama Police and a large number of overseas Vietnamese.
The Hanoi and Tokyo police officers pose a group photo at the friendly football match on September 21. Photo: Vietnam News Agency
The event was part of the Hanoi Department of Public Security and Vietnam People’s Public Security Sports Association’s visit to Japan.
It aimed at experience-sharing, professional training and fostering cooperation with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police and the National Police Academy of Japan.
The event also marked an early step in implementing the cooperation agreement signed in October 2024 between the Vietnam People’s Public Security Sports Association and the Vietnam–Japan International Exchange Organization (FAVIJA).
Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Quyen, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Public Security, said that cultural and sports exchanges help strengthen solidarity and cooperation, supporting joint efforts in maintaining public security and combating transnational crime.
From Tokyo, Nishizawa Shuichi of the International Policy Division was delighted at the first-ever football encounter with Hanoi police officers.
He was also impressed with the vibrant support from the Vietnamese community. The Japanese official expected the match to open up broader cooperation opportunities in the future.
In addition to sports and culture, Hanoi and Tokyo are seeking other ways to strengthen their bilateral ties, boosting the friendly ties between Vietnam and Japan.
From September 1 to September 5, the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade and 15 local craft producers attended the Tokyo International Gift Show 2025, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious handicraft and gift fairs.
During the event, the Hanoi pavilion received some 2,500 visitors and buyers and connected Hanoi and Japanese businesses. The pavilion featured traditional craft items such as lacquerware, ceramics, bamboo and rattan products, and embroidery and silk.
