Vietnam's government has bestowed the Friendship Order on Japanese conductor Honna Tetsuji for his many years of contributions to the country's music scene.

Honna received the order during a ceremony at an opera house in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, on Sunday. He has been the music director and principal conductor of the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra since 2009.

Honna said in a speech that "there is nothing more honorable and proud than this memorable moment" in his career with the orchestra. He also expressed his gratitude to directors, artists and staff of the orchestra for supporting him.

Honna had told NHK before the ceremony that he is very honored. He said he will continue to work hard so that the orchestra will be invited to perform in Japan again.

The orchestra was established in 1984 after the Vietnam War. Honna, a native of Koriyama City in Japan's Fukushima Prefecture, became its conductor in 2001.

The maestro has improved the performance level of the orchestra, helping it to hold a successful US tour. He has also actively carried out musical exchanges between Vietnam and Japan.