Friendship
The Election in Vietnam Through Eyes of International Friends: Foundation for Stability and Cooperation
According to ambassadors, experts, and foreign nationals working in Vietnam, the upcoming elections for the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term represent an important milestone in the country’s political life. The event contributes to strengthening social consensus and reinforcing the international community’s confidence in Vietnam’s development prospects.
Friendship
More Opportunities to Strengthen Traditional Friendship Between Vietnam and Uzbekistan
The election of deputies to the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels will take place on March 15, 2026. On this occasion, Alisher Rustamovich Mukhamedov, President of the Uzbekistan-Vietnam Friendship Association, shared with a reporter from VietnamTimes Magazine his views on the significance of this important political event for Vietnam’s development process, as well as prospects for international cooperation, particularly the friendship between the two countries.
Friendship
AI and High Tech Open New Cooperation Opportunities for Vietnam, India
Artificial intelligence (AI), the digital economy, semiconductors and green energy are emerging as promising new areas of cooperation between Viet Nam and India, as both economies accelerate technological transformation and deepen their participation in global value chains. This was also highlighted by many experts at the international conference “Promoting Friendly Relations Towards a Vietnam-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership,” held on March 10 in Hanoi.
PACCOM and Vietnam Foundation Promote Digital Education in Border-Area Schools
On March 6 in Hanoi, the People’s Aid Coordinating Committee (PACCOM) and the Vietnam Foundation (United States) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a framework for cooperation in implementing the Khan Academy Vietnam program at 248 multi-level schools located in border communes and several other localities coordinated by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations.
Vietnam Values Stronger Cooperation with Francophonie Community
Le Hoai Trung, Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, held talks with Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), during her working visit to Vietnam on the afternoon of March 6 in Hanoi.
Further Deepening Traditional Friendship between Vietnam and Bulgaria in New Era
On March 2, the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations, in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam-Bulgaria Friendship Association, held a gathering to commemorate the 148th National Day of the Republic of Bulgaria (March 3, 1878 - March 3, 2026) and the 76th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Bulgaria (1950 - 2026). The event provided an opportunity to review outstanding cooperation achievements, particularly in education and trade, while reaffirming the determination to further deepen the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Bulgaria in the new era.
Ho Chi Minh City, Yamaguchi Enhance People-to-People Exchanges and Coordinate Training for Elected Representatives
On the afternoon of February 26, the People’s Council of Ho Chi Minh City and the Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly (Japan) signed a Memorandum of Friendly Cooperation, agreeing to strengthen people-to-people exchanges, share governance experience, and coordinate the training of elected representatives. The agreement contributes to building a sustainable social foundation and expanding substantive and effective cooperation between the two localities, thereby further nurturing the friendship between Vietnam and Japan.
Vietnam Affirms Active Role in Francophonie Community
Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh presented her credentials to Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), officially assuming the role of Permanent Representative of the State President to the Permanent Council of La Francophonie on February 26 at the OIF headquarters in Paris, France.
“An 800-Year Bond Between Vietnam and the RoK and My Return”
“The relationship between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea did not merely begin in 1992, when the two countries officially established diplomatic relations. For me, that bond dates back to 1226, when Prince Ly Long Tuong set foot in Goryeo. Over the course of 800 years, the flow of history has not remained confined to the pages of books; rather, it has endured across generations, nurtured through people-to-people exchanges, trust, and shared cultural values.”
People-to-People Diplomacy: Change to Reach Further
Spring is always a season of new beginnings and hope. With a 75-year tradition as its foundation, under the leadership of the Party, the State, and the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, and with the determination of the entire system, Viet Nam’s people-to-people diplomacy possesses all the necessary conditions to undertake a strong transformation: changing to elevate capacity, changing to adapt, changing to proactively open new spaces for cooperation, and to reach further in its mission of connecting the people of Viet Nam with peoples around the world.
Outstanding Highlights of Viet Nam’s People-to-People Diplomacy in 2025
The year 2025 marked a dynamic and effective period for Viet Nam’s people-to-people diplomacy. Amid complex developments in the global and regional landscape, the activities of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) were implemented with clear innovations in mindset, approaches, content, and methods. These efforts contributed to expanding cooperation and spreading Viet Nam’s values of peace and humanity to the international community, affirming its role as a pillar of Viet Nam’s comprehensive and modern diplomacy.
Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations: Spreading Values of Peace in Heart of Capital
The Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations has identified 2026 as a pivotal year to further enhance the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy, consolidate the foundation of peace, strengthen friendship exchanges, and expand international cooperation, thereby making practical contributions to the capital’s integration and sustainable development.
G4 Ambassadors to Vietnam Extend Greetings for the New Year of the Horse
Ahead of the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Horse, Ambassadors Ambasadors of Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland (G4) to Vietnam extended their New Year’s greetings to the people of Vietnam through a video.
Promoting People-to-People Cooperation on the Occasion of the 55th Anniversary of Vietnam-Chile Relations
On February 10 in Hanoi, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Phan Anh Son received Ambassador of Chile to Vietnam Nasly Isabel Bernal Prado, who paid a courtesy call upon assuming her post in Vietnam.
Seminar on “The Scientific Foundations of People-to-People Diplomacy in the World”
Within the framework of the national-level research project entitled “Studying people-to-people diplomacy in the world in the new context and proposing solutions for Vietnam,” the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations hosted a scientific seminar in Hanoi on February 11 under the theme “The scientific foundations of people-to-people diplomacy in the world.”
Vietnam-Canada Friendship Meeting: Advancing Comprehensive Cooperation through People-to-People Diplomacy
On February 9 in Hanoi, the Vietnam-Canada Friendship Get-together titled “Vietnam-Canada Comprehensive Partnership: A Way Forward” took place. The event was jointly organized by the Vietnam-Canada Friendship Association and the Canada-Vietnam Association with the aim of strengthening community connections, promoting multi-sectoral cooperation, and further deepening the friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
Seminar in Cuba Commemorates the 60th Anniversary of Fidel Castro’s Historic Statement on Vietnam
On February 5, a special seminar was held at the University of Havana (Cuba) to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the historic statement by Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro: “For Vietnam, Cuba is ready to shed even its own blood.” The seminar was jointly organized by the Embassy of Vietnam in Cuba, the Ho Chi Minh Vietnam Studies Department (University of Havana), the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), and the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association.
Ho Chi Minh City Promotes In-depth People-to-people Exchanges with Australia
The Vietnam - Australia Friendship Association Ho Chi Minh City defines the key orientation of future activities with people-to-people exchanges as the foundation; cultural, educational and tourism cooperation as the pillar; youth as the driving force and sustainable development as the core value.
Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations: Strong Renewal in New Stage of Development
On February 6 in Hanoi, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) held a meeting with retired officials to celebrate the Spring of the Binh Ngo Year 2026. At the meeting, current and former leaders and officials of VUFO across different periods exchanged views, offered recommendations, and reaffirmed their determination to accompany and uphold the Union’s traditions in order to meet new requirements of people-to-people diplomacy.
Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Sends Message of Solidarity with the Cuban People
On February 2, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association issued a message expressing concern over the potential impacts on Cuba’s socio-economic situation arising from US tariff measures related to countries supplying oil to Cuba, while affirming their solidarity, support, and commitment to continue accompanying the Cuban people through people-to-people exchanges, humanitarian cooperation,...
Vietnam-Sri Lanka Friendship Association Extends Congratulations on 78th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence Day
On February 3 in Hanoi, a delegation of the Vietnam-Sri Lanka Friendship Association, led by its President Pham Van Linh, paid a visit to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Vietnam to extend congratulations on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the Independence Day of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (February 4, 1948 - February 4, 2026).
GNI Donates 388 Pairs of Shoes to Disadvantaged Students in Tuyen Quang
GNI has coordinated with Shingtak Group to implement the program “Steps of Love” at Hop Hoa kindergarten, primary and lower secondary schools in Tan Thanh commune, Tuyen Quang province.
Viet Nam-Cuba Solidarity Meeting Marks 67th Cuban National Day
The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations held a ceremony on January 29 to mark the 67th anniversary of the Victory of the Cuban Revolution (January 1, 1959 - January 1, 2026) and a solidarity meeting with Cuba, reaffirming the special, loyal and enduring friendship between the peoples of Viet Nam and Cuba.
