Several notable highlights are as follows:
1. People-to-people diplomacy accompanying the nation’s history: Participation in the Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2), and the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification
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| Comrade Do Van Chien, Politburo Member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and President of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, met with and expressed appreciation to international friends on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2) in Ha Noi, September 2, 2025. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
In 2025, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations welcomed a large number of international friends to attend the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2), as well as the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification.
Through commemorative activities, particularly meetings and appreciation events hosted by Do Van Chien, Politburo Member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and President of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, with international friends in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, people-to-people diplomacy contributed to demonstrating the profound respect and gratitude of the Party, the State, and the people of Viet Nam to those who had stood by and supported Viet Nam in its struggles for national liberation and reunification, as well as in the cause of national construction and development. These activities also affirmed the image of a steadfast and loyal Viet Nam that is peace-loving and development-oriented, a trusted friend and partner, and an active and responsible member of the international community. From shared historical memories, Viet Nam hopes to further deepen the bonds of affection between the Vietnamese people and people around the world.
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| Comrade Do Van Chien, Politburo Member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and President of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, met with international friends on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, April 30, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: PLO) |
Participating international friends highly appreciated the resilience, determination, and aspiration for progress of the Vietnamese nation throughout its history, expressing deep impressions of the country’s comprehensive development achievements. Many delegates affirmed that today’s Viet Nam is not only a symbol of solidarity and perseverance, but also a reliable partner, a safe and attractive destination, and a country with an increasingly elevated position on the international stage. The solemn and moving atmosphere of the events continued to rekindle affection, trust, and support from international friends for Viet Nam in its new stage of development.
2. Affirming the position and role of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations in Viet Nam’s comprehensive and modern diplomacy: Celebrating 75 years of tradition and receiving the First-Class Labor Order
On November 17, 2025, in Ha Noi, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations solemnly celebrated its 75th Anniversary of Traditional Day, held the Patriotic Emulation Congress for the 2025-2030 period, and had the honor of receiving the First-Class Labor Order - a noble distinction bestowed by the Party and the State in recognition of the persistent and outstanding contributions of people-to-people diplomacy over 75 years of development.
In her keynote address at the ceremony, Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Politburo Member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and President of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, commended the responsible contributions of generations of officials engaged in people-to-people diplomacy over the past 75 years. She expressed confidence that the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, together with other organizations engaged in people-to-people diplomacy, would inherit and promote the glorious 75-year tradition, continue to serve as the core force in people-to-people diplomacy, and act as a bridge of peace and friendship between the Vietnamese people and peoples around the world. Together with Party diplomacy and State diplomacy, they would create the combined strength of Viet Nam’s comprehensive and modern diplomacy; advance alongside the entire Party and people into a new era of national development; and join peoples across the five continents in building a world of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
Phan Anh Son, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, reviewed the 75-year journey of Viet Nam’s people-to-people diplomacy and extended profound gratitude to generations of officials engaged in this work, to people’s movements, friends and peace-loving individuals worldwide, people’s organizations, veterans, partners, friends, and foreign non-governmental organizations that have steadfastly stood by Viet Nam from its most difficult moments to the present day.
President Phan Anh Son stated: “Allow us to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have kindled, are kindling, and will continue to kindle the flame of friendship between the people of Viet Nam and the peoples of the world - a flame ignited by trust, by humanity, and by the shared aspiration for a peaceful world.”
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| Allow us to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have kindled, are kindling, and will continue to kindle the flame of friendship between the people of Viet Nam and the peoples of the world - a flame ignited by trust, by humanity, and by the shared aspiration for a peaceful world. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
Delegates at the event highly appreciated the role of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and its member organizations in connecting the Vietnamese people with international friends, contributing to consolidating peace, strengthening solidarity, expanding cooperation, and enhancing the country’s standing on the international stage. The 75-year milestone is not only an occasion to look back on the journey undertaken, but also a reaffirmation of the determination to continue innovating and improving the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy in the country’s new stage of development.
3. A lasting symbol of international solidarity: Commemorating the 65th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Cuba
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| President Luong Cuong and his spouse, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and his spouse, together with delegates, attended the ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Cuba, September 1, 2025, in Ha Noi. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
On September 1, 2025, in Ha Noi, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations presided over and coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Public Security to solemnly hold the ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Cuba (December 2, 1960 – December 2, 2025). The event was attended by Luong Cuong, Politburo Member and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, and Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic of Cuba.
At the ceremony, leaders of the two countries reaffirmed the special, exemplary, and steadfast solidarity between the two Parties, the two States, and the peoples of the two nations - a relationship forged during the most challenging periods of history and symbolized by the spirit, “For Viet Nam, Cuba is willing to shed its own blood.” After 65 years of standing shoulder to shoulder, Viet Nam-Cuba friendship continues to be firmly strengthened, becoming a treasured shared asset of the two peoples and a vivid model of international solidarity in the new era.
4. Building a people-based foundation to promote cooperation toward the future: A series of activities marking 30 years of Viet Nam-United States diplomatic relations
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| President Luong Cuong met with American friends and representatives of progressive American people on September 22, 2025, in New York (United States). (Photo: VNA) |
In 2025, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and the United States, numerous people-to-people exchanges, meetings, and dialogues were organized in both Viet Nam and the United States, contributing to deepening mutual understanding and trust between the two peoples.
At a meeting with long-standing friends, partners, and representatives of progressive American people on September 22, 2025, in New York, held on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Luong Cuong affirmed that people-to-people diplomacy is an important pillar of Viet Nam-United States relations, serving as a solid social foundation and a bridge connecting “heart to heart.”
Also in 2025, marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and the United States (July 12, 1975 - July 12, 2025), the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Viet Nam-United States Society successfully organized a series of eight commemorative activities, including: four Viet Nam-United States Friendship Exchange Programs in four major cities (Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, and Ha Noi); two seminars and roundtable discussions; a meeting of Vietnamese alumni who studied in the United States; and the ceremony celebrating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Viet Nam-America Friendship Association.
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| The Viet Nam-US Friendship Festival held on November 23, 2025, at Cau Giay Park (Hanoi) drew large crowds of local residents and international friends to experience the culture, cuisine, and products of both countries. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
The series created an open space for dialogue, fostering connections among generations, scholars, businesses, and alumni, thereby contributing to strengthening a favorable social foundation for the Viet Nam-United States Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development. From the 30-year journey of normalization and development of relations, people-to-people diplomacy continues to play an active role in building trust, addressing differences, and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation toward a stable and sustainable future.
5. Opening multi-sectoral people-to-people cooperation between Viet Nam and the Russian Federation: The first Viet Nam–Russian Federation People’s Forum
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| The ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and the Russian Federation and the opening of the First Viet Nam-Russia People’s Forum. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
Over two days, from September 30 to October 1, 2025, in Ha Noi, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations coordinated with partners from the Russian Federation to organize the ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and the Russian Federation, along with the First Viet Nam-Russian Federation People’s Forum.
With the participation of 250 delegates, including 70 from the Russian Federation, the Forum focused on areas with significant cooperation potential such as science and technology, education and training, healthcare, economy and trade, culture, and local-level cooperation. Discussion sessions were lively and substantive, providing an open space for dialogue, promoting mutual understanding and trust, and generating numerous new cooperation initiatives between organizations and communities of the two countries.
The successful organization of the first Forum contributed to concretizing the Viet Nam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through in-depth, practical, and sustainable people-to-people exchanges. In doing so, people-to-people diplomacy once again affirmed its role as an important bridge, effectively complementing Party diplomacy and State diplomacy in consolidating the social foundation and expanding bilateral cooperation in the new phase.
6. Strengthening Viet Nam-China friendship and people-to-people exchanges: A series of activities marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the Viet Nam-China year of people-to-people exchanges
The year 2025 marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and China (January 18, 1950 – January 18, 2025) and was designated by both sides as the Viet Nam-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges. In the context of steadily deepening relations between the two Parties and the two States, consolidating the social foundation of bilateral ties carries long-term strategic significance.
On this occasion, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations presided over the organization of two major activities within the framework of the State visit to Viet Nam by General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping: the “Meeting of Vietnamese and Chinese Alumni and Students of Various Periods” and the “Viet Nam-China People’s Friendship Meeting.” At these events, General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, and General Secretary and President Xi Jinping jointly launched the “Red journey for youth study and research” program, demonstrating the high regard of the two Parties and States for the successor role of younger generations in preserving and promoting traditional friendship, while opening a new, more substantive and in-depth model of people-to-people exchanges.
In implementing the high-level common understanding, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations coordinated with the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries to organize the “Red journey for Vietnamese youth study and research in China” program in Chongqing and the 13th Viet Nam-China People’s Forum in Ha Noi under the theme “75 Years of Viet Nam-China Friendship: Building a stronger people-based foundation.”
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| General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, together with General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping and delegates, performed the launch ceremony of the “Red Journey for Youth Study and Research,” April 15, 2025, in Ha Noi. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
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| Opening ceremony of the “Red Journey for Vietnamese Youth Study and Research in China,” October 13, 2025, in Chongqing (China). (Photo: doanthanhnien.vn) |
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| Comrade Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Politburo Member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and President of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, received the delegation attending the 13th Viet Nam-China People’s Forum, November 25, 2025. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
These activities contributed to deepening people-to-people exchanges, enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and consolidating a sustainable social foundation for bilateral relations in the new stage of development.
7. From the foundation of friendship to cooperation for shared development with neighboring countries: Exchanges among former experts, former volunteer soldiers, and youth of Viet Nam and Laos, and the Viet Nam-Cambodia Business Forum
Building upon the foundation of traditional friendship and special solidarity with neighboring countries, people-to-people diplomacy continued to be implemented in a direction that closely links the preservation of historical values with the promotion of substantive development cooperation.
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| The exchange program “Former Vietnamese experts and volunteer soldiers in Laos and the young generation of Viet Nam and Laos,” September 3, 2025, in Ha Noi. (Photo: Thanh Thao) |
On September 3, 2025, in Ha Noi, the Viet Nam-Laos Friendship Association, the Laos-Viet Nam Friendship Association, and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee jointly organized the exchange program entitled “Former Vietnamese experts and volunteer soldiers in Laos and the young generation of Viet Nam and Laos.” The program focused on discussing the responsibility to preserve and promote the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos, while emphasizing the role of the younger generation in continuing the tradition and strengthening people-to-people exchanges.
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| The signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between Vietnamese and Cambodian enterprises at the Viet Nam-Cambodia Business Forum, October 11, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: Dai bieu Nhan dan Newspaper) |
On October 11, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Viet Nam-Cambodia Business Forum took place with the participation of leaders of agencies, friendship organizations, associations, and business communities of both countries. The Forum was jointly organized by the Central Committee of the Viet Nam-Cambodia Friendship Association, the Ho Chi Minh City Viet Nam-Cambodia Friendship Association, the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, and the Viet Nam-Cambodia Business Association. It aimed to promote dialogue, business connectivity, and enhance investment and trade cooperation in a substantive, effective, and sustainable manner. A highlight of the Forum was the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding between Vissan Company (Viet Nam) and Degrand Group (Cambodia).
Through these activities, people-to-people diplomacy continued to play its bridging role, bringing friendly relations with neighboring countries into deeper cooperation for shared development, while contributing to consolidating the social foundation and promoting regional economic cooperation.
8. People-to-people diplomacy contributing to the implementation of Government social security programs: Effectively mobilizing international resources for disaster relief and the elimination of temporary and dilapidated Housing
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| Habitat Viet Nam supported the construction and renovation of 101 houses in Da Nang City. (Photo: Habitat Viet Nam) |
In 2025, amid increasingly complex natural disasters, people-to-people diplomacy continued to play a role alongside the State in implementing key social security programs. Through the focal coordinating role of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, particularly the People’s Aid Coordinating Committee (PACCOM), international resources were mobilized and allocated in a timely manner, closely aligned with the needs of localities.
During the year, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations coordinated with ministries, sectors, local authorities, and the network of foreign non-governmental organizations to mobilize over VND 205 billion to support disaster recovery efforts, focusing on emergency relief, livelihood restoration, and stabilization of living conditions for affected communities. At the same time, in response to the Prime Minister’s 2025 campaign to eliminate temporary and dilapidated housing, the Union mobilized international partners to commit to the construction of 1,393 houses for poor households and families in difficult circumstances.
These results demonstrate that people-to-people diplomacy is not merely a channel for fostering friendship, but has directly and effectively participated in implementing the Government’s social security programs, thereby affirming its role as a trusted bridge in mobilizing and leveraging international resources for people-centered and sustainable development.
9. Strategic partnership and cooperation for shared development: Successfully organizing the Fifth International Conference on Cooperation between Viet Nam and Foreign Non-Governmental Organizations
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| The Fifth International Conference on Cooperation between Viet Nam and Foreign Non-Governmental Organizations: Partners for Prosperity and Sustainable Development, December 4, 2025. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
On December 4, 2025, in Ha Noi, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, in coordination with the Committee for Foreign Non-Governmental Organization Affairs, successfully organized the Fifth International Conference on Cooperation between Viet Nam and Foreign Non-Governmental Organizations (IC5), reaffirming the core role of people-to-people diplomacy in promoting development cooperation and mobilizing international resources.
The Conference served as an important forum for dialogue and policy consultation, bringing together representatives of central and local agencies, diplomatic missions, international organizations, and nearly 400 foreign non-governmental organizations operating in Viet Nam. Based on a review of cooperation during the 2019-2025 period, participants exchanged views and agreed on orientations to enhance the effectiveness of cooperation in the coming phase, in alignment with Viet Nam’s development priorities.
Discussions focused on key areas such as social security, human resource development, green transition, climate change response, and sustainable development, contributing to stronger alignment between the activities of foreign non-governmental organizations and the country’s socio-economic development strategy.
The successful organization of IC5 further strengthened trust and partnership with international stakeholders, while reaffirming the role of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations in shaping a multilateral space for people-to-people cooperation and acting as a strategic partner alongside the country in its development and international integration process.
10. Spreading Viet Nam’s message of peace, friendship, and humanity: The cultural exchange program “Continuing the story of peace”
On April 30, 2025, on the occasion of the Peace Boat docking at Ha Long International Port (Quang Ninh), the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Viet Nam Peace Committee, in coordination with the Peace Boat and two Nobel Peace Prize-winning organizations - ICAN and Nihon Hidankyo, organized the cultural exchange program “Continuing the story of peace.” The event attracted nearly 200 Vietnamese and international delegates, including experts, peace activists from various countries, and survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
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| Guests participating in the cultural exchange program “Continuing the story of peace.” (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
Through a series of activities including site visits, photo exhibitions, cultural and culinary performances, and a roundtable discussion under the theme “Continuing the story of peace,” the program conveyed a profound message about the value of peace in a world still marked by conflicts and instability. The event also highlighted the image of Viet Nam - from a nation that endured great losses due to war to a country that has risen to become one of peace, renewal, and development; steadfast in pursuing a foreign policy of peace, friendship, and cooperation; and actively participating in international efforts on disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation.
In particular, the program devoted significant attention to the younger generation, fostering a sense of responsibility in preserving peace, carrying forward history, and spreading the message of “no war, no nuclear weapons” to future generations.
More than a cultural exchange activity, “Continuing the story of peace” reflected the profound humanistic depth of Viet Nam’s people-to-people diplomacy: drawing upon memories of war to nurture aspirations for peace, using mutual understanding to build trust, and placing people-to-people bonds at the sustainable foundation of international cooperation in the new era.
Source: Vietnamtimes
