Thanh Luan
For Thanh Luan's latest contributions to VietnamTimes, see below:
55 Years of Vietnam-Chile Relations: Journey Built on Trust and Empathy
25/03/2026 18:30
On March 25 in Hanoi, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, the Vietnam-Chile Friendship and Cooperation Association, in coordination with the Embassy of Chile in Vietnam, held a friendship meeting to mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Chile (March 25, 1971 - March 25, 2026).
Part 2: The Network Behind the Attack in Dak Lak
25/03/2026 14:32
The attack in Dak Lak on June 11, 2023 showed signs of an organized network, with links between the group “Montagnards Stand for Justice” (MSFJ), the “Boat People SOS” (BPSOS), along with external support and advocacy activities.
Part 1: No Justification for Violence Targeting Civilians
25/03/2026 11:27
The attack in Dak Lak on June 11, 2023 claimed the lives of nine people, including local officials and civilians. This was an act of particularly grave violence, running counter to the fundamental moral and legal standards upheld by all societies.
Promoting Vietnam-Chile Cooperation Across Three Key Pillars: Politics, Economy, and People-to-People Exchange
24/03/2026 15:05
On the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Chile (March 25, 1971 - March 25, 2026), in an interview with VietnamTimes Magazine, Chilean Ambassador to Vietnam Nasly Isabel Bernal Prado affirmed that the two countries are presented with opportunities to expand comprehensive cooperation, focusing on three main pillars: political-diplomatic relations, economic-trade ties, and enhanced mutual understanding and people-to-people exchange.
Secretary-General of the Brazil-Vietnam Friendship Association: The 16th National Assembly Will Continue to Drive Vietnam’s Development
12/03/2026 14:14
In an interview with VietnamTimes Magazine, journalist and historian Pedro de Oliveira, Secretary-General of the Brazil-Vietnam Friendship Association, stated that the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and to People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term is an important political event for Vietnam. It raises expectations for further advancing the country’s development and strengthening international cooperation.
Factors Influencing People-to-People Diplomacy in the New Context
11/03/2026 09:16
On March 10 in Hanoi, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) hosted a seminar titled “Factors influencing people-to-people diplomacy around the world in the new context.” The event was held within the framework of the national-level research project “Studying people-to-people diplomacy worldwide in the new context and proposing solutions for Vietnam.”
Promoting People-to-People Cooperation on the Occasion of the 55th Anniversary of Vietnam-Chile Relations
12/02/2026 09:15
On February 10 in Hanoi, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Phan Anh Son received Ambassador of Chile to Vietnam Nasly Isabel Bernal Prado, who paid a courtesy call upon assuming her post in Vietnam.
Seminar on “The Scientific Foundations of People-to-People Diplomacy in the World”
12/02/2026 08:10
Within the framework of the national-level research project entitled “Studying people-to-people diplomacy in the world in the new context and proposing solutions for Vietnam,” the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations hosted a scientific seminar in Hanoi on February 11 under the theme “The scientific foundations of people-to-people diplomacy in the world.”
Vietnam-Canada Friendship Meeting: Advancing Comprehensive Cooperation through People-to-People Diplomacy
11/02/2026 12:27
On February 9 in Hanoi, the Vietnam-Canada Friendship Get-together titled “Vietnam-Canada Comprehensive Partnership: A Way Forward” took place. The event was jointly organized by the Vietnam-Canada Friendship Association and the Canada-Vietnam Association with the aim of strengthening community connections, promoting multi-sectoral cooperation, and further deepening the friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations: Strong Renewal in New Stage of Development
07/02/2026 08:15
On February 6 in Hanoi, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) held a meeting with retired officials to celebrate the Spring of the Binh Ngo Year 2026. At the meeting, current and former leaders and officials of VUFO across different periods exchanged views, offered recommendations, and reaffirmed their determination to accompany and uphold the Union’s traditions in order to meet new requirements of people-to-people diplomacy.
Recognizing Contributions of Ambassador Marco Farani to Promoting Vietnam-Brazil Relations
30/01/2026 11:24
During the tenure of Ambassador Marco Farani of Brazil to Vietnam, the frequency of high-level meetings and exchanges between the two countries increased markedly; Vietnam-Brazil relations were upgraded; and the quality of cooperation across various fields achieved new developments, becoming more in-depth and substantive. In recognition of these contributions, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) awarded the Medal “For Peace and Friendship among Nations” to the Ambassador on January 29 in Hanoi.
International Partners Express Confidence in the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam
17/01/2026 14:47
Numerous friendship organizations, business communities, and friends and partners of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), together with its member organizations, have continued to send congratulatory messages to the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). In their messages, they express confidence in the Party’s development path and leadership role, while reaffirming their desire to further strengthen long-term friendship and cooperation with Vietnam.
People’s Organizations and International Friends Express Confidence that 14th National Party Congress Will Open New Phase of Development for Vietnam
17/01/2026 14:31
On the occasion of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, numerous friendship organizations, associations, parliamentarians, and international friends have sent letters, cables, and congratulatory messages to the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and its member organizations. These messages convey political trust, acknowledge Vietnam’s remarkable development achievements over 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal), and affirm the desire to continue accompanying and strengthening cooperation with Vietnam in its new phase of development.
Thai Scholar: Vietnam’s Development Success Is a Model Worth Learning From
16/01/2026 15:13
According to Dr. Thanyathip Sripana (a Vietnam studies scholar at Chulalongkorn University and an adviser to the Thailand-Vietnam Friendship Association), Vietnam’s development process over the 40 years since the launch of Doi moi (Renewal) has produced an effective socio-economic development model, offering valuable experience for many countries to study and reference.
Memorial Service for Peter and Cora Weiss: Messengers of Conscience and Peace
15/01/2026 18:48
On January 15 in Hanoi, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), in coordination with the Viet Nam-USA Society, hosted a memorial service for American peace activists Peter and Cora Weiss - close and faithful friends of the Vietnamese people - held in a hybrid format.
International Friends Congratulate 14th Congress of Communist Party of Viet Nam
13/01/2026 15:28
On the occasion of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, many people’s organizations and friendship associations that are friends and partners of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations have sent letters, cables and messages of congratulations to the Party, the State and the people of Viet Nam.
Strong Innovation to Enhance the Substantive Effectiveness of People-to-People Diplomacy in 2026
10/01/2026 10:17
On January 9 in Hanoi, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) convened the 14th Conference of its Presidium, 6th term, to review the results of activities in 2025 and outline key directions and tasks for 2026.
Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Reviews 2025 Performance, Sets Tasks for 2026
07/01/2026 09:08
The Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations held a conference to review its work in 2025, set tasks for 2026 on January 6 in Ha Noi.
People-to-people Diplomacy Must Directly Nurture Viet Nam-Lao Strategic Connectivity
29/12/2025 07:08
The Viet Nam-Lao Friendship Association held its third Executive Committee Conference of the fifth term on December 26 in Ha Noi. Speaking at the conference, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son emphasized that people-to-people diplomacy must directly take part in nurturing and deepening the substance of “strategic connectivity,” a new framework in Viet Nam-Lao relations.
Sponsoring Cambodian Students Toward Long-Term Companionship
24/12/2025 22:15
Going beyond providing living support and helping Cambodian students adapt to the culture and lifestyle of Vietnamese families during their years of study in Viet Nam, sponsorship activities are increasingly being viewed by many individuals, businesses, and collectives of the Viet Nam-Cambodia Friendship Association in a broader sense: linking real-life experience, career orientation, and long-term companionship as the students grow into adulthood.
