Friendship
10 Highlights of Vietnam’s Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2025
The year 2025 closed with 10 outstanding highlights of the culture, sports and tourism sector, ranging from institutional breakthroughs, national-scale exhibitions, landmark milestones in journalism and culture, UNESCO-recognized heritage, Vietnam’s global cultural initiatives, a boom in arts and cinema, impressive sports achievements, to record-breaking growth in tourism.
Focus
Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Reviews 2025 Performance, Sets Tasks for 2026
The Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations held a conference to review its work in 2025, set tasks for 2026 on January 6 in Ha Noi.
Friendship
Ho Chi Minh City Outlines Four Focuses to Strengthen People-to-people Diplomacy
Ha Thanh, President of the Union of Friendship Organizations of Ho Chi Minh City, delivered these remarks at the Conference reviewing people-to-people diplomacy in 2025 and setting directions and tasks for 2026, held on December 30 in Hanoi.
Advancing International Cultural Exchange Through Events in Can Tho
The establishment of annual international cultural exchange events bearing a distinctive local identity is considered one of the key orientations to elevate cultural diplomacy and promote the image of the people and land of Can Tho amid the current period of deep international integration.
Ambassador Marc Knapper: 2025 Marks Meaningful Milestones in Vietnam-US Relations
Looking back on 2025 - the year marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper affirmed that bilateral ties continued to achieve substantive and comprehensive results across education, culture, defense and security, economy, technology, and war legacy remediation..., thereby laying a solid foundation for cooperation in the next phase.
Renewing Viet Nam-Finland Friendship through Youth and Creativity
In an interview with reporters from VietnamTimes Magazine, Dr. Keijo Varis, a member of the Board of the Finland-Viet Nam Friendship Association, discussed his inspiring experiences in Viet Nam and offered insights into strengthening Viet Nam-Europe friendship through youth and innovation.
People-to-people Diplomacy is A Pillar of Vietnam’s Diplomacy
The Party Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a conference to review people-to-people diplomacy work in 2025 and deploy tasks for 2026 on the morning of December 30 in Hanoi.
Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van: People-to-People Diplomacy Has Effectively Promoted Vietnam’s “Soft Power”
This was shared by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van ahead of the 2025 Conference to Review People-to-People Diplomacy.
Expand Sub-branches of the Viet Nam-Russia Friendship Association in Thanh Hoa
This is one of the tasks set by the Viet Nam-Russia Friendship Association of Thanh Hoa province at its conference to review activities in 2025, roll out tasks, and hold a meeting and exchange to welcome the New Year 2026, held on December 27 in Thanh Hoa.
Vietnam-France Friendship and Cooperation Association: 70 Years of Nurturing People-to-people Ties
On December 27 in Hanoi, the Vietnam-France Friendship and Cooperation Association held a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of its founding (1955-2025), reviewing the steadfast journey of a leading people-to-people diplomacy organization in connecting, fostering understanding, and building trust between the peoples of the two countries.
People-to-people Diplomacy Must Directly Nurture Viet Nam-Lao Strategic Connectivity
The Viet Nam-Lao Friendship Association held its third Executive Committee Conference of the fifth term on December 26 in Ha Noi. Speaking at the conference, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son emphasized that people-to-people diplomacy must directly take part in nurturing and deepening the substance of “strategic connectivity,” a new framework in Viet Nam-Lao relations.
Many Practical Vietnam-Thailand People-to-People Exchanges to Be Held in 2026
The Viet Nam-Thailand Friendship Association of Hue city held its fourth congress for the 2025-2030 term on December 26. Speaking at the congress, Nguyen Van Thanh, President of the Central Viet Nam-Thailand Friendship Association, said that 2026 will be of special significance as Viet Nam and Thailand mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The Central Association will coordinate with the Thailand-Viet Nam Friendship Association and local chapters to organize many practical people-to-people exchange activities between the two countries.
Focus on Training Officials to Boost Hanoi People-to-people Diplomacy
This was the direction given by Phan Anh Son, Party Committee Secretary and President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, at the conference on the implementation of people-to-people diplomacy tasks for 2026, held by the Ha Noi Union of Friendship Organizations on December 25.
Cuba Awarded Friendship Order to Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Policies and Strategies Nguyen Thanh Nghi
Cuban Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes stated that the Friendship Order recognizes Nguyen Thanh Nghi’s contributions to strengthening the friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba.
Sponsoring Cambodian Students Toward Long-Term Companionship
Going beyond providing living support and helping Cambodian students adapt to the culture and lifestyle of Vietnamese families during their years of study in Viet Nam, sponsorship activities are increasingly being viewed by many individuals, businesses, and collectives of the Viet Nam-Cambodia Friendship Association in a broader sense: linking real-life experience, career orientation, and long-term companionship as the students grow into adulthood.
Vietnam-Saudi Arabia People-to-People Exchanges and Cooperation Hold Significant Potential for Growth
On December 24 in Hanoi, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Phan Anh Son received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Vietnam Mohammed Ismaeil A. Dahlwy, on a farewell courtesy visit upon the conclusion of his term of office in Vietnam.
Vietnam, France Prioritizes Strengthening Multifaceted Cooperation
On the afternoon of December 23, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung had a telephone conversation with Minister of Europe and French Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot.
Foreign NGO Aid Helps Advance Sustainable Development in Lam Dong
On December 23, the Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee held a conference to review the National Program on Strengthening Cooperation and Mobilizing Foreign Non-Governmental Aid for the 2019–2025 period. The conference assessed that efforts to attract, manage, and utilize aid resources over recent years have yielded positive results, thereby contributing to the promotion of sustainable development and ensuring social welfare across the province.
Vietnam-Netherlands Friendship Meeting Through Film Frames and Historical Memories
On December 23 in Hanoi, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, in coordination with the Vietnam-Netherlands Friendship and Cooperation Association, organized the Vietnam-Netherlands Friendship Meeting program. Through interactive activities and documentary film screenings, the event aimed to share information about the friendship between the peoples of the two countries, while promoting understanding and strengthening connections between the Association and its partners.
Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association Continues to “Nurture Friendship” for 47 Cambodian Students
On December 21 in Hanoi, the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association held a ceremony to formalize the sponsorship of Cambodian students for 2025 who are currently studying at several universities in northern Vietnam. The initiative continues to strengthen the humanistic foundation and deepen the traditional friendship between the peoples of the two countries through education and training.
Tightening Vietnam-Latin America Ties, Deepening Cooperation with Brazil and Guyana
The Embassy of Vietnam in Brazil recently hosted the End-of-Year Friendship Gathering 2025, a review of foreign affairs activities over the past year and a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Guyana (1975-2025). The event reaffirmed important advances in relations between Vietnam and its partners in Latin America, especially Brazil and Guyana.
Hanoi Hosts Vibrant Latin American Cultural Exchange Night
Lively melodies and fiery Latin American dances set ablaze the cultural atmosphere of the capital during the 13th Latin American Music Night, held on the evening of December 16 in Hanoi, with the participation of a large number of Vietnamese and international delegates.
Tuyen Quang Conducts Training on People-to-people Diplomacy in 2025
The Tuyen Quang Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations organized a training conference on people-to-people diplomacy in 2025 for officials working in external affairs at provincial departments, boards, sectors and mass organizations, members of the Union’s Executive Committee, and representatives of member friendship associations, on the morning of December 16.
