GRIPS conducted a ten-day training program for National Leaders of Vietnamese Government from April 15 to 24, 2019. Selected nineteen executives of Central Party, ministries and local governments have attended the program.

The core topics were Good governance, Economic Development and Leadership which are the crucial issues for Vietnamese officials.

During the program, participants attended lectures given by: the program director, Professor Emeritus. Masahiro Horie (Director of the Executive Development Center for Global Leadership); GRIPS faculty members including President Prof.Akihiko Tanaka, Vice-President Prof. Tetsushi Sonobe, Prof.Hirofumi Takada, Prof. Shigeru Morichi, Prof.Kenichi Ohno; as well as Mr.Kozo Yoshida, Commissioner of National Personnel Authority and Prof. Hikaru Kobayashi of Tokyo University.

Participants studied a wide range of subjects including; public administration and disciplines, administrative reform and good governance, ethics and anti-corruption measures, international relations under globalization; market mechanism and factors influencing mobilization and allocation of resources; local governance and intergovernmental relations, public investment and PPP; systems and measures for supporting SME and enhancing productivity; performance appraisal and salary system of public officers; environmental protection and sustainable development; and leadership. After each session, the Vietnamese participants actively asked questions and had meaningful discussion with the professors.

In addition to the lectures, several site visits and meetings in Tokyo and Ehime Prefecture were arranged with the support of the hosting organizations. In Tokyo, participants visited the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. They attended briefings entitled, “Evaluation and Inspection” and “Administrative Counselling” by the Administrative Evaluation Bureau, and “Administrative Complaint Review” by the Administrative Management Bureau. Actual cases were cited in the explanation, and the participants asked many questions about the ministry’s efforts.

The delegation took a three-day field trip to Matsuyama City and Saijo City of Ehime Prefecture with Prof.Takada whose specialty is local governance.

Through the cooperation of Ehime Prefecture, Saijo City, Matsuyama Chamber of Commerce and industry and JETRO, the delegation could study how local government and other organizations are supporting the development of their economy and make the best use of traditional resources.

The participants were warmly welcomed by people of Ehime and had excellent opportunities to learn about Japan at a variety of sites such as shopping arcades, Dogo Onsen and Matsuyama castle.

On the final day of the training program, each participant reviewed the content of the intensive ten-day program and presented how they would reflect lessons learned in their work after returning home.

※This program was organized by GRIPS and JICE with the support of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).