Friendship
Memorial Service for Peter and Cora Weiss: Messengers of Conscience and Peace
On January 15 in Hanoi, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), in coordination with the Viet Nam-USA Society, hosted a memorial service for American peace activists Peter and Cora Weiss - close and faithful friends of the Vietnamese people - held in a hybrid format.
Friendship
Researcher Kyril Whittaker: Vietnam Chooses People-Centered Development Approach
Kyril Whittaker, researcher in politics and history and a member of the Communist Party of Britain, has offered an assessment of Vietnam’s development orientation, emphasizing its people-centered perspective, development aligned with social equity, and a commitment to long-term stability.
Friendship
US Ambassador Marc Evans Knapper Awarded Friendship Order
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on January 13 in Hanoi, under the authorization of State President Luong Cuong, Party Central Committee Secretary and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung presented the Friendship Order to US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Evans Knapper, in recognition of the Ambassador’s important contributions to promoting and developing Vietnam-US relations.
Vietnam-Chile: Linking People-to-People Exchanges with Local Connectivity and Concrete Cooperation Models
On January 8 in Hanoi, the Vietnam-Chile Friendship and Cooperation Association (the Association) held a conference to review its activities in 2025 and outline orientations for 2026. The conference identified a key focus on promoting Vietnam-Chile cooperation in a practical and effective manner, linking people-to-people exchanges with local connectivity and concrete cooperation models.
Strong Innovation to Enhance the Substantive Effectiveness of People-to-People Diplomacy in 2026
On January 9 in Hanoi, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) convened the 14th Conference of its Presidium, 6th term, to review the results of activities in 2025 and outline key directions and tasks for 2026.
Quang Ninh Union of Friendship Organizations in 2026: Organizational Strengthening
The Quang Ninh Union of Friendship Organizations held a conference on January 8 to review activities in 2025 and deploy its work program for 2026, with a focus on enhancing the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy and preparing for its 6th Congress for the 2026-2031 term.
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.
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.
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.
