Tran Phu Thuan, Vice President and Secretary General of the Association of Vietnamese Organizations in the Russian Federation:

Three solutions to strengthen Viet Nam-Russia people-to-people ties

In Viet Nam-Russia relations, people-to-people diplomacy serves as a core bridge, helping enhance mutual understanding, trust and bonds between the peoples of the two countries. Cultural and educational exchanges, as well as cooperation among localities, social organizations, former students who studied abroad, businesses and younger generations, help preserve the traditional friendship while opening up new opportunities for cooperation.

Tran Phu Thuan, Vice President and Secretary General of the Association of Vietnamese Organizations in the Russian Federation. (Photo: Pham Ly)

Sincere, close and flexible, direct exchanges in culture, education, sports and local-level cooperation have built a strong social foundation for bilateral relations. To improve the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy in the new context, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations should focus on the following key solutions:

Strengthen connections with Russian people’s organizations, friendship associations, research institutes, universities and businesses to expand cooperation networks, promote specific projects and bring practical benefits to the peoples of the two countries.

Promote the role of young people, former Vietnamese students who studied in Russia, and the Vietnamese community living, studying and working in Russia, enabling them to become “people’s ambassadors,” spread the friendship between the two peoples and promote long-term cooperation.

A cultural exchange organized by the Association of Vietnamese Organizations in the Russian Federation. (Photo: Provided by the Association)

Apply digital technology and modern communications to promote Viet Nam-Russia cultural and historical values and achievements in cooperation, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of external communications and strengthening people-to-people connections between the two countries.

Pham Khanh Nam, Editor-in-Chief of Huong Viet Magazine, an overseas Vietnamese in the Federal Republic of Germany:

Three ways overseas Vietnamese can promote their homeland

I believe that overseas Vietnamese communities can contribute to people-to-people diplomacy in three ways: first, by building a positive image of Viet Nam through their own lives and work; second, by preserving and promoting the Vietnamese language and national culture; and third, by connecting resources between Viet Nam and their host countries in the fields of economics, education, science, innovation and local-level cooperation.

When Vietnamese communities work diligently, comply with the law, integrate well and actively contribute to their host societies, the image of Viet Nam is also elevated. Every Vietnamese person living abroad can become a “cultural ambassador.”

Pham Khanh Nam, Editor-in-Chief of Huong Viet Magazine, an overseas Vietnamese in the Federal Republic of Germany.

We have spent nearly two decades working in journalism to serve the Vietnamese community in the Federal Republic of Germany. We have always sought to tell positive stories rather than simply convey information. A story about a successful Vietnamese entrepreneur in Germany, a Vietnamese language class for second-generation Vietnamese, or a cultural festival that attracts local residents can all have a powerful ripple effect. These activities help promote the image of Viet Nam through direct, close and deeply human experiences.

Bui Tuan Ngoc, singer and songwriter, Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Viet Nam-Laos Friendship Association:

Empowering young people and artists as friendship ambassadors

To promote the role of young people in people-to-people diplomacy, we need to establish youth friendship branches under friendship associations.

Singer and songwriter Bui Tuan Ngoc with Cuban children.

Operating under the sponsorship of friendship associations, these branches would ensure political and organizational orientation while retaining autonomy in developing ideas and choosing approaches suited to the mindset and interests of young people. This would make people-to-people diplomacy more accessible and engaging, encouraging the voluntary and creative participation of younger generations.

Young people should be given opportunities to take the lead and represent their generation in international exchange and cooperation programs. With their dynamism, confidence and ability to quickly adapt to global trends, their voices can be highly persuasive and have a strong reach among young people both at home and abroad. This is a practical way to train a new generation of officials who understand external relations, have strong character and are ready to take on responsibilities in the future.

Singer and songwriter Bui Tuan Ngoc brings his music to young people from other countries.

Another key solution is to promote the role of influential young artists with positive social impact as friendship ambassadors. They are naturally positioned to connect people and spread positive values through art and media. The song “Co gai Vieng Chan” (The girl from Vientiane), which I composed, has garnered more than 3 million views on YouTube, gained widespread popularity among young Lao audiences and become a musical bridge connecting the young people of the two countries. Building on this success, I believe that selecting prominent figures such as Chi Pu and Phuong My Chi (in China), Duc Phuc (in Russia), Ngo Ngoc Hung - Hanbin (in the Republic of Korea), and Quang Hung MasterD (in Thailand) would generate strong appeal, promoting mutual understanding between Vietnamese youth and international friends.

Singer and songwriter Bui Tuan Ngoc with Indian children.

In addition, the digitalization of people-to-people diplomacy should be accelerated. Friendship organizations and youth branches should make full use of social media, online platforms, digital exhibitions and short films to promote the image of Viet Nam and its people.

Lao-Viet Nam Friendship Association Congratulates Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations on National Congress On the occasion of the National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for the 2026-2031 term, the Lao-Viet Nam Friendship Association sent a congratulatory message. The message recognized the contributions made by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations to the cause of protecting, building and developing the country, and to peace, friendship, national independence and international solidarity.

Building More Bridges of Viet Nam-China Friendship On the occasion of the National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for the 2026-2031 term, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries sent a congratulatory letter. In the letter, the Association acknowledged the contributions of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations to promoting friendship between the peoples of the two countries, and expressed its hope that the two sides would continue to organize exchange programs and build more bridges for Viet Nam-China cooperation.