Friendship
The Bell of Peace Rings Out from the War Remnants Museum
On September 20, a programme in response to the United Nations International Day of Peace (September 21) was held at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, with the participation of representatives from peace and friendship organisations and more than 50 international guests from the Villa Vie Odyssey community and the Global Flagship of Peace initiative. In a space preserving memories of war, the bell of peace rang out alongside a message of dialogue, understanding and a shared commitment to the future.
Friendship
The Bonds Between People Are Why I Love Viet Nam
Speaking about Viet Nam, where I currently live and work, brings me many emotions. What I notice most clearly about Ha Noi is the increasingly rapid pace of change across society. Residential complexes, shopping malls, roads and new bridges are continuously being built throughout the city. Some places have changed dramatically in just a few months. Particularly recently, it is easy to see that Hanoi is implementing major projects on drainage and water treatment to reduce flooding. This shows that the Government is taking urban infrastructure improvement very seriously.
Friendship
10 Local Union Organizations Sign Agreement on Coordinating People-to-People Diplomacy for 2026-2027
The Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations of 10 provinces and cities under Emulation Cluster No. 2 have signed an Emulation Agreement for 2026-2027, focusing on coordinating friendship activities, external information, the mobilisation of foreign non-governmental aid, work involving overseas Vietnamese, and organisational development.
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.
50 Years of Viet Nam-Philippines: Friendship and Cooperation
The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations, in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh City Viet Nam–Southeast Asia Friendship Association, held a ceremony on September 16, marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and the Philippines (July 12, 1976 - July 12, 2026).
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.
30 Minutes of “Quintessential Viet Nam” Every Day
Affection for a country can stem from the simplest of things. For Kaneya Manabu, a Japanese national who formerly served as a police officer in Saitama Prefecture and later chose to make Viet Nam his home, one such thing is the workplace lunch nap. Though it lasts only about 30 minutes a day, this habit has given him a deeper appreciation for the local rhythm of life and a distinctly Vietnamese approach to balancing work and personal time.
Dien Bien Provides Professional Training for 14 Officials from Northern Lao Provinces
14 officials from the Lao provinces of Oudomxay and Phongsaly will participate in a training and field-study program, focusing on five topics, in Dien Bien from September 14 to October 15, 2026.
Viet Nam and Bulgaria Seek to Expand Sister-City Partnerships
This was shared by the Bulgaria-Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Group during a meeting with Vietnamese Ambassador to Bulgaria Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet, held at the Bulgarian National Assembly, as part of efforts to concretize the Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
Children’s Drawings Spread Spirit of Viet Nam-Denmark Friendship
The Embassy of Denmark in Viet Nam presented more than 100 paintings selected from the 2025-2026 "Denmark in Your Eyes" drawing contest to E Hospital. The innocent drawings by Vietnamese children brought colors, joy and messages about a greener future to pediatric patients, their families and medical staff, while contributing to strengthening friendship and people-to-people exchanges between Viet Nam and Denmark.
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.
Six Key Tasks of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for 2026-2031 Term
For the 2026-2031 term, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations has identified a shift in focus towards substantive effectiveness, with concrete, measurable products and results. The Political Report sets out six key tasks and solutions, along with three strategic breakthroughs.
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.
Speech by President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee Bui Thi Minh Hoai at the National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations
Viet Nam Times Magazine respectfully presents the full text of the speech delivered by Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Politburo Member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and central mass organizations, and President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee, at the 7th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for the 2026-2031 term, held in Hanoi on September 14.
Sharing Common Goal, Taking Initiative
At the first session of the 7th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for the 2026-2031 term, held in Hanoi on September 14, delegates shared practical, field-tested experience in people-to-people diplomacy. Their discussions focused on concrete approaches: building trust in border areas, leveraging the strengths of organizations and localities, connecting resources, nurturing the next generation, and making tangible results the measure of effectiveness.
Amendments and Supplements to the Charter of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations
At the first session of the 7th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for the 2026-2031 term, delegates heard a report on amendments and supplements to the Charter of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations.
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.
Ensuring French Resources Continue to Contribute to Viet Nam
More than 50 French non-governmental organisations are operating in Viet Nam. In his congratulatory letter to the 7th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for the 2026-2031 term, French Ambassador to Viet Nam Olivier Brochet acknowledged the Union’s role in supporting these organisations, while highlighting the expanding network of French-Vietnamese partners through cooperation between the Embassy of France and the Viet Nam-France Friendship and Cooperation Association.
Effective Cooperation, Stronger People-to-People Ties between Viet Nam and Russia
The Committee for External Relations of Saint Petersburg (Russia) has recognized its effective cooperation with the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, considering it a symbol of the enduring solidarity between the peoples of the two countries. In its congratulatory letter to the 7th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for the 2026-2031 term, the Committee expressed its confidence that the Congress would mark a new stage of development for the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations.
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.”
