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Sister Cities

SANJO

The friendship and cooperative relations between Ho Chi Minh City and Sanjo City (Niigata Prefecture, Japan) represent one of the highly potential local-level cooperation models in the fields of manufacturing, innovation, and high-quality technical human resource development. The relationship between the two localities was founded upon the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and the Sanjo City Government in 2017.
SANJO
SANJO

The friendship and cooperative relations between Ho Chi Minh City and Sanjo City (Niigata Prefecture, Japan) represent one of the highly potential local-level cooperation models in the fields of manufacturing, innovation, and high-quality technical human resource development. The relationship between the two localities was founded upon the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and the Sanjo City Government in 2017. This MoU has established a foundation for promoting delegation exchanges, business matchmaking, vocational training cooperation, and supporting industry development between the two sides. Against the backdrop of Ho Chi Minh City actively accelerating its economic restructuring toward high technology and innovation, Sanjo's industrial development experience serves as a valuable reference to enhance the competitiveness of local enterprises and drive sustainable growth.

In terms of the economy and flagship sectors, Sanjo is a city in Niigata Prefecture, located in the central region of Japan's Honshu Island. With a history spanning over 400 years, Sanjo is renowned as one of the cradles of Japan's traditional blacksmithing and metalworking industries. The city emerged in the 16th century and flourished thanks to its favorable location along the Shinano River basin—the longest river in Japan. According to information from the Sanjo City Government and the Tsubame-Sanjo Industrial Promotion Center, the locality is famous for its cutlery manufacturing, mechanical tools, industrial equipment, hardware products for domestic use, and precision metalworking technologies. The harmonious combination of long-standing craftsmanship traditions and modern production technologies has transformed Sanjo into one of Japan's reputable manufacturing hubs, with numerous products exported to international markets.

Overview of the signing ceremony of Cooperation between the People's Committee of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province and the Sanjo City Government - Photo: Vietnam Plus

Regarding economy, Sanjo serves as the core nucleus of the Tsubame-Sanjo industrial cluster—an area concentrating thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in precision machinery, tool manufacturing, industrial equipment production, and supporting industries. This development model, driven by a highly interconnected network of local enterprises, robust innovation capabilities, and a sustainable entrepreneurial spirit, has enabled Sanjo to maintain its competitive edge in the Japanese economy. On the basis of the established cooperative relationship, Ho Chi Minh City aims to expand cooperation with Sanjo in five key focus areas:
Manufacturing and Precision Machinery: Strengthening connections among manufacturing enterprises, industrial parks, and research centers to exchange technology, develop supporting industries, and enhance manufacturing capabilities in precision machinery, automation, and metalworking.

Innovation and Technology Transfer: Promoting cooperation between innovation centers, research institutes, and enterprises to apply new technologies to smart manufacturing, digital transformation, and labor productivity enhancement.

Vocational Training and Human Resource Development: Expanding training programs for technicians, engineers, and skilled workers in accordance with Japanese standards; enhancing expert exchanges and sharing modern production management experiences.

Support for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Sharing experiences in building local business ecosystems, supporting creative startups, and enhancing the capacity of SMEs to participate in global supply chains.

Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges: Promoting youth, educational, cultural, and tourism exchanges to enhance mutual understanding, creating a solid social foundation for long-term cooperation between the two localities.

 
Contact Information
Sanjo City Government