Deputy Minister Trịnh Thị Thủy met Japan–Vietnam parliamentary friendship adviser Takebe Tsutomu in Hanoi on 13 October. Văn Hóa reports discussions on linking cultural-industry businesses and sharing experience in comics, music, film and content creation. Takebe also proposed a direct Vietnam–Hokkaido air route to support exchanges and tourism. The meeting outlined cooperation priorities and proposals; it did not announce approval or inauguration of the proposed flight service.