The Emperor and Empress of Japan will likely make their first good will visit to Vietnam in March.

The Japan Times newspaper reports Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko received multiple invitations from Vietnamese leader to visit the country.

The royal couple will attend events in Hanoi, as well as Hue, the former capital city and seat of the historic Nguyen Dynasty.

In August last year, 83-year-old Emperor Akihito indicated that he intended to step down.

Japan is one of Vietnam’s top donors and development partners.

– TiVi Tuan-san