Friendship
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.
Focus
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.
Friendship
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.
Nguyen Thanh Hai Elected President of Viet Nam-RoK Friendship Association for 2026-2031 Term
On August 26 in Hanoi, the Viet Nam-Republic of Korea (RoK) Friendship Association held its 4th National Congress for the 2026-2031 term. Nguyen Thanh Hai, Member of the Party Central Committee, Chairwoman of the National Assembly Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, and Chairwoman of the Viet Nam-RoK Parliamentary Friendship Group, was elected President of the Association. The Association aims to link friendship exchanges with substantive cooperation.
Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and World Peoples Assembly Maintain Regular Cooperation
On August 26 in Hanoi, Phan Anh Son, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, received a courtesy visit from a delegation of the World Peoples Assembly led by Andrey Belyaninov, Secretary-General of the World Peoples Assembly and a member of the UNESCO Committee of the Russian Federation. The two sides exchanged a number of proposals to maintain regular cooperation and expand connections in education, culture, local-level cooperation and the economy.
Youth Urged to Take Lead in Learning, Innovation and Fostering Viet Nam-China Friendship
On the evening of August 24, in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, the opening ceremony of the “Red journey for research and study” program for Vietnamese youth was held. At the event, Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Ngoc Hung emphasized that young people should take the lead in learning and creative work, become ambassadors of peace, and actively contribute to fostering the friendship between Viet Nam and China.
World Peoples Assembly Days in Viet Nam: Connecting Resources, Turning Ideas into Concrete Cooperation
Held in Viet Nam for the first time, the “World Peoples Assembly Days” aim to expand spaces for dialogue, connect resources and promote cooperation initiatives through people-to-people channels, thereby gradually moving from exchanges to substantive cooperation, and from ideas to concrete programs and projects.
Three Decades of People-to-People Friendship Between Vietnam and Uzbekistan
On August 22, a program marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-Uzbekistan Friendship Association (1996-2026) and the annual gathering of people who have studied, worked, or developed an affection for Uzbekistan was held in Hanoi.
Strengthening People-to-People Ties Between Vietnam and Uruguay
On August 18 in Hanoi, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son received a Uruguayan delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Valeria Csukasi. The two sides discussed ways to strengthen people-to-people connections between the two countries through education, cultural exchanges, local cooperation, and other areas.
Promoting Vietnam-Mexico People-to-People Friendship
On August 17 in Hanoi, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Phan Anh Son received a high-level delegation of the Mexican Labor Party led by General Secretary and Federal Senator Alberto Anaya Gutiérrez, who is visiting and working in Vietnam. The two sides discussed strengthening exchanges and promoting friendship between the peoples of Vietnam and Mexico, with particular attention to gradually establishing focal points and friendship organizations between the two countries.
Viet Nam-Spain: Expanding from Friendship Exchanges to People-to-People, Knowledge and Local-Level Connections
On the morning of August 11 in Hanoi, the Viet Nam-Spain Friendship Association held its 4th National Congress for the 2026-2031 term. The Congress elected a new Executive Committee and expressed its confidence in re-electing Nguyen Duc Loi as President of the Association.
