Focus
Le Duy Truyen Elected President of Viet Nam-Chile Friendship and Cooperation Association
On November 5 in Hanoi, the Viet Nam-Chile Friendship and Cooperation Association (the Association) held its fourth congress for the 2026-2031 term. Le Duy Truyen, former Deputy General Director of the Viet Nam News Agency and Standing Vice President of the Association for its third term, was elected President. For the new term, the Association aims to expand its partner network and link friendship exchanges with concrete cooperation programmes.
Friendship
Numerous Proposals to Promote People-to-People Exchanges between Viet Nam and Algeria
Building on the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and Algeria, strengthening exchanges between younger generations and expanding local-level cooperation were among the issues discussed at a meeting between President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son and Azeddine Bechka, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to Viet Nam, in Hanoi on November 4.
Friendship
Ambassador Jennifer Wicks: People-to-People Exchanges Bring Viet Nam and the United States Closer Together
US Ambassador to Viet Nam Jennifer Wicks affirmed that promoting people-to-people exchanges is one of her priorities during her tenure, with the aim of strengthening ties between the peoples of the two countries and fostering cooperation across various fields. This was discussed at a meeting between President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son and Ambassador Jennifer Wicks, held in Hanoi on November 4.
Angola's Ambassador Fernando Miguel Seeks to Promote Establishment of Friendship Associations Between the Two Countries
"Promoting the establishment of the Angola-Viet Nam Friendship Association and the Viet Nam-Angola Friendship Association to create additional bridges for people-to-people exchanges and cooperation" was a key point highlighted at a meeting between Phan Anh Son, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, and Fernando Miguel, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Angola to Viet Nam, held on November 3 in Hanoi.
Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Sets New Priorities for People-to-People Diplomacy
On October 29 in Hanoi, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations held a conference to disseminate and implement the Resolution of its 7th National Congress for the 2026-2031 term.
Expanding Opportunities for Viet Nam-Saudi Arabia Cooperation
Strengthening information exchange, exploring the establishment of a friendship association, fostering educational and academic ties, and promoting business cooperation were among the proposals discussed by President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Phan Anh Son, and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Viet Nam Thamer Mohammed A. Algosaibi, during a meeting in Hanoi on October 28. The discussions aimed to tap into the potential for cooperation and strengthen ties between the peoples of the two countries.
Spreading Responsibility for Safeguarding Party’s Ideological Foundation from Viet Nam to International Community
On October 19 in Hanoi, the Party Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and Central Mass Organizations held a closing ceremony and award presentation for the second Political Essay Contest on Safeguarding the Party’s Ideological Foundation, 2026. The contest attracted 10,220 entries, a 16-fold increase from the previous year, with broad participation from officials, Party members, Youth Union members, members of mass organizations, Vietnamese living abroad and international friends.
Deputy Minister of Justice Nguyen Thanh Tu Elected President of Viet Nam-Sweden Friendship Association for 2026-2031 Term
On September 30 in Hanoi, the 6th National Congress of the Viet Nam-Sweden Friendship Association for the 2026-2031 term elected Nguyen Thanh Tu, Deputy Minister of Justice, as President of the Association. For the new term, the Association has identified the need to strongly renew its content and methods of operation, expanding from friendship exchanges to substantive connections and cooperation that deliver concrete results.
Opening of 14th Viet Nam-China People’s Forum: Joining Hands and Moving Forward Together to Build Community with Shared Future
On September 20, the opening ceremony of the 14th Vietnam–China People’s Forum was held in Wuyi Mountain, Nanping City, Fujian Province, China, under the theme “Joining hands and moving forward together to build a Viet Nam-China community with a shared future of strategic significance at a higher level.” The forum brought together a large number of experts and researchers from theoretical agencies, Party schools, academies, news agencies and media organizations, as well as the business communities of both countries.
General Secretary and State President To Lam Meets with Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations
On September 15, 2026, following the successful 7th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, 2026-2031 term, General Secretary and State President To Lam met and held a working session with representatives of the newly elected Executive Committee.
Expanding Partnerships, Building Substantive and Effective Connections
At the 7th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for the 2026-2031 term on September 14, delegates proposed expanding the network of partners, strengthening coordination among channels of external relations, and turning friendship ties into practical connections and cooperation programs.
Phan Anh Son Elected President of Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for 2026-2031 Term
On September 14 in Hanoi, the 7th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), for the 2026-2031 term, successfully concluded. Phan Anh Son, Secretary of the Party Committee and President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for the 6th term, was elected President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for the 7th term.
7th National Congress of Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Opens Today
The 7th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for the 2026-2031 term takes place today, September 14, in Hanoi. The Congress will review the results of work during the 2019-2026 period and set out orientations and tasks for the new term as the country enters a new phase of development.
Continuing Tradition, Writing Next Chapter of Success in Nation’s New Era of Development
Today, the 7th National Congress for the 2026-2031 term of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations officially opens. The Congress takes place against the backdrop of our nation's successful hosting of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam - an event of vital significance that established the strategic vision and goals to propel the country into a new era of development. The spirit of the 14th Party Congress, driven by the aspiration for progress, the nation's elevated stature, and the imperative to innovate thinking and operational approaches across all fields, serves as the guiding star for our Congress to evaluate results, draw lessons, and set major directions for the next five-year period.
International Friends and Partners Congratulate Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations’ Congress
Amid the country’s ongoing process of renewal and advancement, the 7th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, for the 2026-2031 term, marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Union in carrying out people-to-people diplomacy. Ahead of the Congress, international friends and partners from many regions have sent letters and messages of congratulations, recognizing the Union’s contributions and expressing their desire to continue working alongside it in the years ahead.
Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations to Hold National Congress
The 7th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), for the 2026-2031 term, is scheduled to take place on September 14 in Ha Noi. The Congress will be held under the theme “Proactive adaptation - Breakthrough innovation - Practical effectiveness.”
Expectations and Recommendations - Part 1
Drawing on their dedication and expertise, scholars, veterans, businesspeople, tourists, artists, young people, overseas Vietnamese, as well as Vietnamese and foreign diplomats, have shared their views and aspirations for the upcoming Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations.
What Does “Serving the National Interest” Mean in People-to-People Diplomacy?
In the article “Promoting comprehensive foreign affairs at new height,” General Secretary and President To Lam affirmed that diplomacy in the new era must “ensure the highest national interests; take peace, independence, self-reliance and self-strengthening as its foundation; place the people at the center of all policies; and regard contributing to the international community as a responsibility.” This is an important orientation for diplomatic affairs, including people-to-people diplomacy. Viet Nam Times Magazine has compiled a number of orientations and directives from the Party, as well as experts’ views, on the concept of “serving the national interest” in people-to-people diplomacy.
"Positioning" the Role of People-to-People Diplomacy
How have the Party and State defined the role and importance of people-to-people diplomacy in the country’s era of rise?
National Assembly President Meets Korean Friends in Seoul
National Assembly (NA) President Tran Thanh Man stressed that Korean non-governmental organisations, associations, scientists and businesses have contributed significantly to major achievements recorded in Vietnam-RoK relations over the past years.
Ambassador Olivier Brochet: “Ambassador of the People” in Viet Nam-France Relations
Beyond promoting relations through official diplomatic channels, during his three-year tenure in Viet Nam, French Ambassador to Viet Nam Olivier Brochet also actively fostered direct connections among the people, localities, friendship organizations and communities of former Vietnamese students in the two countries, contributing to deepening the people-to-people foundation of Viet Nam-France relations.
“Red Journey” in Guangdong 2026: Connecting Vietnamese and Chinese Youth
On the morning of August 28, 2026, in Guangzhou, China, the closing ceremony of the “Red Journey for Study and Research by Vietnamese Youth” was held after five days of study, exchange, research and experiential activities.
World Peoples Assembly Days in Viet Nam 2026 Conclude, Opening New Avenues for Cooperation
On the afternoon of August 27, the event “World Peoples Assembly Days in Viet Nam 2026” concluded, opening a new chapter of cooperation between the World Peoples Assembly and its Vietnamese partners.
