The only Vietnamese honored by Japan with the 2026 Global Citizen Community Award

On July 5, within the framework of the 18th International Friendship Cultural Exchange Program held at the Higashinari Community Center (Osaka), Ms. Le Thuong - President of the Vietnamese Association in the Kansai region - was honored with the Global Citizen Community Award by the International Friendship Organization (IHA) of Japan.

This award recognizes outstanding contributions to cultural exchange, community engagement, and the promotion of international friendship.

Ms. Le Thuong is the only foreigner to receive the award in 2026. This is considered a remarkable milestone for the Vietnamese community in Japan, while acknowledging the persistent contributions of Vietnamese people in international cultural exchange activities.

This year's program brought together art troupes from various countries and territories, including Vietnam, South Korea, China, India, African countries, and Japan. This is an annual activity organized by the IHA with the support of the Osaka Prefectural Government, the Osaka City Government and the Korean Cultural Center in Osaka.

The year 2026 also marks the 20-year journey of formation and development of the IHA, a non-profit organization operating in the field of promoting cultural exchange, enhancing international friendship, and connecting multicultural communities in Japan.

Attending the program, the Vietnamese delegation brought many art performances deeply imbued with national identity, performed by the Vietnamese Association in the Kansai region. The performances contributed to promoting Vietnamese culture to international friends while receiving enthusiastic applause from a large audience.

According to the content of the certificate, Ms. Le Thuong was honored for her active contributions to enhancing understanding between nations, promoting international cultural exchange, implementing practical activities for the community, and building a bridge of cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in the fields of culture, education, economy, and human resource development.

In her capacity as President of the Vietnamese Association in the Kansai region, she and the Association's Executive Board have implemented many programs to support the Vietnamese community in Japan, preserve the Vietnamese language and national cultural identity, and strengthen relations with Japanese authorities and organizations, thereby promoting people-to-people exchange and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Shinjo Takeshi, President of the IHA, highly appreciated Ms. Le Thuong's contributions over the years. According to him, her activities have contributed to strengthening cohesion between communities, promoting people-to-people exchange, and spreading the spirit of international friendship.

Sharing her thoughts after receiving the award, Ms. Le Thuong emotionally said: "This is not only a personal honor but also a recognition for the Vietnamese Association in the Kansai region and the Vietnamese community in Japan. The award will be an encouragement for us to continue contributing to cultural exchange activities, community connectivity, and nurturing the Vietnam-Japan friendship".

Ms. Le Thuong becoming the only foreigner to be awarded the 2026 Global Citizen Community Award not only recognizes her personal dedication but also affirms the increasingly active role of the Vietnamese community in Japan in people-to-people diplomacy, cultural exchange, and international cooperation, contributing to spreading the image of a friendly, dynamic and integrated Vietnam to international friends.