Friendship
I Have Become a Citizen of Viet Nam
June 23, 2026 became a special milestone in the life of Hastie Gonzalez Brizaida (Cuba). It was the day she received the decision granting her Vietnamese citizenship, took the name Tran Ngoc Linh and became entitled to enjoy the full rights and fulfill the obligations of a Vietnamese citizen.
Friendship
A Robot's Handshake
At the 2nd China-ASEAN Artificial Intelligence Industry Development Summit Forum in May 2026, a soft "click" of a mechanical joint rang out as the robotic arm slowly extended and reached out to shake hands with Nguyen Quan, former Minister of Science and Technology of Viet Nam. The moment lasted only a few seconds, but to me, it was a fulfilling conclusion to a long journey, as well as the beginning of a new dream that I have nurtured for two decades in Viet Nam.
Friendship
Together with Viet Nam, I Want to Unlock Its Untapped Potential
Viet Nam's production resources are highly diverse. However, much of the potential remains "asleep" in the lower segments of the value chain. In an interview with Viet Nam Times Magazine, Liu Yitong, Executive Director of the Vista Institute for International Economics in China, said that Viet Nam and China need broader and more diverse connectivity to help address this challenge.
Understanding Builds Deeper Trust
That is the assessment of H.E. Rogelio Polanco Fuentes, Ambassador of Cuba to Viet Nam, regarding people-to-people relations between the peoples of Viet Nam and Cuba.
"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.
I Came to Viet Nam Because of the Number 11
One morning in July, I met Bob Frank in Hanoi, during his 13th return to Viet Nam. Once again, he had come because of an unforgettable number: 11.
A "Love Letter" to Viet Nam
It was October 1992, and I was lying beneath a mosquito net in a bare hotel room in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, trying to make sense of the noise outside. Motorcycle horns occasionally duelled with bicycle bells. Pots and pans clattered as melodic Vietnamese voices rose and fell—sometimes conversational, but more often urgently bellowed so that the whole neighbourhood could hear them. Above me, a wobbly ceiling fan turned slowly, its repeated ‘whop … whop … whop’ inducing a kind of hypnotic surrender.
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.
Argentine Ex-revolutionary Details Lifelong Bond with Vietnam
From Argentina, Jorge Gessaga, a young man of Italian, Spanish and indigenous descent, followed Vietnam's resistance against foreign intervention. Vietnam's steadfastness in defending its sovereignty became a defining lesson: a small nation could achieve what seemed impossible with strong belief and determination under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
"Two Vietnamese Friends Devoted to Fostering Vietnam-Cuba Friendship"
For many years, Phuong Song Lien has brought together Vietnamese people who once studied in Cuba, introduced the country, its people and bilateral relations, and mobilized solidarity and support for Cuba. Nguyen Xuan Phong has directly engaged in foreign affairs, interpretation, introduced Vietnam in Cuba, and preserved materials documenting the relationship between the two countries. The Cuban State has awarded the Friendship Medal to Lien and Phong in recognition of these contributions.
“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.
Vietnam’s Transformation Through International Eyes
Through return visits to Vietnam and direct cooperation with Vietnamese partners, many international friends have seen a country that has changed rapidly in its appearance, living standards, research and technology, while also creating new opportunities for cooperation in emerging fields.
Connections Deepening Vietnam-RoK Friendship
The Vietnam-RoK Friendship Association has expanded its connections with communities, localities, businesses, educational institutions, and Korean friends, thereby contributing to deepening friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
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.
Expanding Scientific and Educational Cooperation for Vietnam-Russia Development
On August 26 in Hanoi, as part of the World Peoples Assembly Days in Vietnam, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the World Peoples Assembly, in coordination with the University of Economics and Business (UEB) - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, held a seminar themed “International Cooperation in Science and Education as a Driver of Sustainable Development.” The seminar discussed solutions to expand cooperation in education, science and technology, with an emphasis on strengthening connections between Vietnam and the Russian Federation.
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.
Ho Chi Minh City Celebrates Vietnam-Hungary Friendship
Recently, the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations held a gathering to celebrate Hungary’s National Day (August 20), demonstrating the solidarity and friendship between the people of Ho Chi Minh City and the people of Hungary.
Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia Friendship Celebrated Through Traditional Dances
As the country prepares to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2, soldiers from Regiment 4, Division 5, Military Region 7 joined in friendship dances featuring the cultural colors of Laos and Cambodia.
