Nguyen Van Thu, President of the Hai Phong Union of Friendship Organizations. (Photo: Hai Phong Union of Friendship Organizations)

Focusing resources to avoid fragmentation and duplication

We are not aiming to organize more events, but rather to deliver high-quality, distinctive events that are aligned with the city’s development priorities and bring long-term value to international cooperation.

The merger of the former Hai Duong Union of Friendship Organizations and the former Hai Phong Union of Friendship Organizations has helped reduce the number of organizational focal points and consolidate resources in terms of personnel, expertise, facilities and international partner networks. At the same time, it allows us to build on and further promote the achievements of both organizations in people-to-people diplomacy, the mobilization of foreign non-governmental aid, and the activities of member organizations.

Previously, activities were primarily carried out within the scope and resources of each locality. We now have greater opportunities to connect and share experience, personnel and partner networks in order to organize programs on a larger scale, with richer content and broader outreach. Resources are being used in a more focused manner, reducing fragmentation and duplication while improving the effectiveness of investment in people-to-people diplomacy activities.

Nguyen Van Thu and Cho Eun Seung, Chief Representative of Good Neighbors International Vietnam, sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in community development support for Hai Phong for the 2026-2030 period. (Photo: Hai Phong Union of Friendship Organizations)

The greatest value of concentrating resources lies not only in saving on budgets but also in creating conditions for innovation in the way activities are organized. We are moving from a fragmented and piecemeal approach toward developing focused, strategic cooperation programs with long-term partners and the capacity to effectively mobilize international resources for the city’s development.

Friendship exchanges, receptions for international delegations, cooperation networking forums, peace, solidarity and friendship activities, and efforts to mobilize foreign non-governmental aid are being prepared in a more professional manner, with coordination among departments, sectors, localities and member organizations.

Following the merger, what matters is not only organizational restructuring but also the alignment of awareness, thinking and working methods among staff. The Hai Phong Union of Friendship Organizations places emphasis on building a united and democratic working environment; assigning responsibilities based on staff members’ capabilities, strengths and practical requirements; and creating opportunities for personnel from the two localities to share experience, support one another and jointly promote their respective strengths.

The broader geographical area and expanded scope of activities also place greater demands on coordination among different levels, sectors and member organizations. The two former localities had their own characteristics, approaches to implementing people-to-people diplomacy, and partner networks. Therefore, it is necessary to continue harmonizing procedures, sharing information and establishing a coordinated mechanism for more effective collaboration.

The Hai Phong Union of Friendship Organizations, in coordination with the city’s Red Cross Society and the Tzu Chi Foundation, implements a support program for households facing particularly difficult circumstances in the western area of the city, August 2026. (Photo: Hai Phong Union of Friendship Organizations)

Against a backdrop of increasingly intense competition for foreign non-governmental aid, people-to-people diplomacy should go beyond maintaining friendship relations. It needs to proactively build connections and develop in-depth cooperation programs that create practical value for the locality.

Targeting a 10% or Higher Increase in Aid Mobilization

For the 2026-2031 term, the Hai Phong Union of Friendship Organizations aims to increase the mobilization of foreign non-governmental aid by at least 10% compared with the previous term, while continuing to expand relations with international organizations and partners. Mobilized resources will focus on practical areas such as education, healthcare, sustainable poverty reduction, livelihood support, social welfare, environmental protection, climate change response, digital transformation and community development.

Student toilet facilities at Minh Duc Primary School in Tu Ky Commune and Ha Ky Primary School in Nguyen Giap Commune, Hai Phong, funded by Fleur Blanche. (Photo: Hai Phong Union of Friendship Organizations)

Aid mobilization will be aligned with the city’s socio-economic development priorities and practical needs. Alongside diversifying partners, areas and forms of cooperation, the Hai Phong Union of Friendship Organizations will develop and improve databases on partners, aid needs, programs and projects; strengthen information sharing; and enhance its proactive and professional approach to mobilizing and managing foreign non-governmental aid.

A staff member of Giving It Back To Kids adjusts a wheelchair for a beneficiary under a wheelchair donation program for people with disabilities facing difficult circumstances in Hai Phong. (Photo: Hai Phong Union of Friendship Organizations)

The Hai Phong Union of Friendship Organizations will also link people-to-people diplomacy activities with investment, trade, tourism, education and cultural promotion, as well as efforts to promote the city’s image. It will continue to develop focused cooperation programs with long-term partners that deliver practical benefits to local people and contribute to the city’s sustainable development goals.

Hai Phong Mobilizes Over USD 1.36 Million in Non-Governmental Aid In the first six months of 2026, the Hai Phong Union of Friendship Organizations mobilized more than USD 1.36 million in foreign non-governmental aid, with over USD 1.1 million disbursed. In the coming period, the city will prioritize expanding cooperation in climate change response, sustainable livelihoods, education, healthcare, and digital transformation.

Vietnamese and Republic of Korean Students Join Hands for Children in Hai Phong On August 2 in Quyet Thang commune, Hai Phong city, 70 Vietnamese and Republic of Korea students concluded a seven-day volunteer journey under the Hyundai Happy Move Global Youth Volunteers Programme 2026, carrying out a range of activities to improve learning conditions and support local children.