Japanese crown prince visits Vietnam to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations

By HAU DINH and MARI YAMAGUCHI
Associated Press

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Japanese Crown Prince Akishino, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito, has arrived in Vietnam to begin a five-day visit marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, as Tokyo pushes to deepen ties with developing and emerging nations to tackle regional and global challenges. During the trip, Akishino and his wife, Crown Princess Kiko, are visiting Hanoi, where they will see the mausoleum of Vietnam’s first president, Ho Chi Minh, and join events to celebrate 50 years of friendship between the two sides, including attending a new opera. They will also travel to Hoi An, an old port city.