The conference was jointly organized by the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations, the People’s Aid Coordinating Committee (PACCOM) under the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, and Catalyste+ (Canada).

At the event, delegates participated in three thematic discussion sessions covering Viet Nam’s and Da Nang’s policies and orientations for foreign NGO affairs in the new period, current global trends, and the exchange of experiences, strengthening of connections and exploration of cooperation opportunities in foreign NGO affairs.

The conference brought together nearly 100 international organizations and foreign NGOs operating in Viet Nam. (Photo: Mai Anh)

Speaking at the conference, Nguyen Ngoc Binh, President of the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations, said that the transition to a green economy and circular economy had become an inevitable trend in ensuring sustainable development. This also called for innovation in the implementation of people-to-people diplomacy, with a focus on substantive cooperation and the effective mobilization of international initiatives, technologies and resources to support socio-economic development.

According to Nguyen Ngoc Binh, Da Nang’s people-to-people diplomacy is shifting from purely friendly exchanges towards creating tangible benefits, expanding dialogue and promoting effective cooperation. In this spirit, the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations regards foreign NGO aid not merely as a source of short-term financial support, but also as a means of bringing in international knowledge, technology and experience. This represents an important supplementary resource for socio-economic development while helping strengthen friendship and mutual understanding between the people of Da Nang and people in other countries, as well as international organizations.

Nguyen Ngoc Binh, President of the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations. (Photo: Thanh Cong)

Four areas of green cooperation in Da Nang

Speaking at the conference, Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and Vice Chairman of the Committee for Foreign NGO Affairs, affirmed that Viet Nam regards foreign NGO affairs as an important component of people-to-people diplomacy, complementing and supporting the Party’s external relations and State diplomacy. Viet Nam consistently encourages and facilitates the operations of foreign NGOs in the country in line with its priorities and needs.

Recognizing the contributions of foreign NGOs, he noted that the value of cooperation was reflected not only in the number of projects or the amount of aid funding, but also in the trust built, knowledge shared and positive, lasting changes in communities. In particular, foreign NGOs also help connect the Vietnamese people with people around the world and share objective information about Viet Nam, its people and its renewal process, thereby strengthening the social foundations of international friendship and cooperation.

Nguyen Ngoc Hung said that Da Nang was a dynamic locality with relatively well-developed infrastructure, a strong human resource base and an open-minded approach to governance, giving it favorable conditions for piloting new-generation models of foreign NGO cooperation. In response to challenges related to climate change, the environment and shifts in the labor structure, he proposed that foreign NGOs work with the city to implement four key groups of initiatives.

Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and Vice Chairman of the Committee for Foreign NGO Affairs. (Photo: Thanh Cong)

First, pilot urban circular economy models that combine biodiversity conservation with the development of green tourism and a blue marine economy. Priorities include reducing, reusing and recycling plastic waste, promoting responsible production and consumption, and linking these efforts to ecosystem conservation in the Son Tra Peninsula, Ba Na - Nui Chua Nature Reserve, the Tranh and Thanh rivers, the Central Truong Son biodiversity corridor and other areas.

Second, develop community-based climate change adaptation models and green livelihoods, focusing on coastal and mountainous areas. Projects should prioritize strengthening communities’ resilience and their ability to sustain activities even after funding ends.

Third, promote the development of an inclusive climate entrepreneurship ecosystem. Foreign NGOs can leverage their roles in networking and providing technical assistance, working with universities, research institutes and business incubators in Da Nang to develop climate-resilient enterprises while expanding access to international green finance.

Fourth, innovate social welfare programs in conjunction with the green transition. Alongside continued support for healthcare, education and vulnerable groups, programs should incorporate green skills training and career orientation in the circular economy for disadvantaged young people, helping them improve their prospects of participating in the future labor market.

According to Nguyen Ngoc Hung, if successfully implemented, the pilot models in Da Nang could provide practical evidence for policy improvement and replication across the central region and nationwide. To translate these orientations into action, he called on Da Nang to proactively identify specific needs and challenges in the green transition so that projects could be designed jointly with partners from the initial conceptual stage. The city should also strengthen intersectoral coordination, shorten administrative processing times and ensure consistent application of legal regulations. In addition, it should facilitate the piloting of new initiatives, document and share practical experience, and establish appropriate mechanisms and allocate resources for networking and mobilizing foreign NGO aid.

For its part, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Committee for Foreign NGO Affairs, Nguyen Ngoc Hung affirmed, would continue to proactively engage with and mobilize partners, listen to concerns and address difficulties arising during cooperation. They would also contribute to building a stable and transparent policy environment while supporting foreign NGOs operating legally in Viet Nam.

Da Nang aims to become a circular city by 2045

According to Nguyen Dinh Vinh, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Da Nang Party Committee and Chairman of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee of Da Nang City, the goals of green transition and sustainable development have been incorporated into the city’s master plan for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050. The city has also developed a roadmap for circular economy development in three phases: initiation from 2022 to 2025, development from 2025 to 2030, and acceleration across the entire city from 2030 to 2045.

Under this roadmap, Da Nang aims to basically meet the criteria for a circular city by the end of 2045.

Nguyen Dinh Vinh, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Da Nang Party Committee and Chairman of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee of Da Nang City. (Photo: Mai Anh)

The city’s leadership called for prioritizing the mobilization of foreign NGO aid for green development and circular economy projects, while promoting the role of the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations in connecting partners with municipal departments, sectors and localities to translate cooperation opportunities into specific programs and plans. Da Nang hopes foreign NGOs will step up the transfer of knowledge and green technologies, introduce effective circular economy models from around the world, support capacity-building for local officials and small and medium-sized enterprises, and disseminate practical green economy and circular economy skills among residents.

Nguyen Dinh Vinh also called on municipal departments, sectors and localities to continue administrative reforms, strengthen coordination and responsibility, and facilitate the implementation of programs and projects by foreign NGOs in the city.

Discussion session at the conference. (Photo: Thanh Cong)

During the conference, the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations and Viet Nam Times Magazine signed an agreement on coordinating the implementation of people-to-people diplomacy activities for the 2026-2030 period. The two sides agreed to cooperate in five key areas: coordinating information and external communications; organizing training and capacity-building in knowledge, skills and professional practices related to journalism and external communications; providing media support for or co-organizing people-to-people diplomacy events; connecting and expanding partner networks and mobilizing resources; and participating in working delegations, major external relations events and field activities organized by Da Nang City and the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations.

Signing ceremony for the agreement on coordinating the implementation of people-to-people diplomacy activities for the 2026-2030 period between the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations and Viet Nam Times Magazine. (Photo: Mai Anh)

Also as part of the program, the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations signed the third round of memoranda of understanding on cooperation with Save the Children International (SCI) and the VinaCapital Foundation (VCF). Under the memorandum, the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations and Save the Children International agreed to coordinate activities focusing on child protection; child rights governance; education, healthcare and nutrition; poverty reduction for children and adolescents; disaster risk reduction; and climate change response.

Delegates pose for a commemorative photo at the signing ceremony. (Photo: Mai Anh)

On this occasion, Catalyste+ (Canada) received a Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of the Da Nang City People’s Committee in recognition of its active contributions to the city’s green economic transition, circular economy development and sustainable development.

A representative of Catalyste+ receives a Certificate of Merit at the event. (Photo: Thanh Cong)

Hue and Da Nang Offer Free Admission at Numerous Attractions for National Day On the occasion of Vietnam's National Day on September 2, residents and visitors to Hue and Da Nang will be able to explore historical and cultural sites free of charge, enjoy the Hue international music festival, and take part in a wide range of cultural, artistic and experiential tourism activities in Da Nang.

KFHI Funds VND 5 Billion Project to Improve Life in Dong Duong The Da Nang City People's Committee has approved the acceptance of the project “Child-Focused Community Transformation - CFCT (Phase I)” in Dong Duong Commune, funded by Korea Food for the Hungry International (KFHI) of the Republic of Korea. The project has a total budget of more than VND 5 billion and will be implemented through September 2031.