Friendship
Vietnam Needs to Continue Prioritizing Children in the New Development Phase
With more than 20 years of close engagement with Vietnamese children, Robert Kalatschan (Founder and President of Giving It Back to Kids - GIBTK, United States) believes that in the new phase of development, Vietnam needs to continue prioritizing children, especially those in vulnerable circumstances. He regards this as a crucial foundation for ensuring sustainable development and leaving no one behind.
Friendship
Chinese Journalist Commented on Party Policy and Vietnam-China Ties
Journalist Wei Wei, Head of the Vietnamese-language Department of China Central Radio and Television, believes that China’s reform and opening-up as well as Vietnam’s Doi Moi process ultimately aim to bring happiness to the people.
Friendship
International Partners Express Confidence in the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam
Numerous friendship organizations, business communities, and friends and partners of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), together with its member organizations, have continued to send congratulatory messages to the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). In their messages, they express confidence in the Party’s development path and leadership role, while reaffirming their desire to further strengthen long-term friendship and cooperation with Vietnam.
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.
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.
International Friends Congratulate 14th Congress of Communist Party of Viet Nam
On the occasion of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, many people’s organizations and friendship associations that are friends and partners of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations have sent letters, cables and messages of congratulations to the Party, the State and the people of Viet Nam.
Lao Ambassador to Vietnam: The 14th National Party Congress to Lead Vietnam into a New Phase of Rapid and Sustainable Growth
On the occasion of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh shared with VietnamTimes Magazine her assessments and expectations regarding the significance of the Congress. The Ambassador expressed her confidence that the Congress will set forth sound strategic orientations, ushering Vietnam into a phase of rapid and sustainable development, while further deepening the great friendship and special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos.
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.
