Dr. Do Xuan Hoang said that after being elected to the Executive Committee of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, he had identified his priority as strengthening his role as a bridge between the Vietnamese and Russian peoples, contributing to deepening the Viet Nam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and generating more practical value from the relationship.

He said Viet Nam’s image needs to be presented to Russian friends not only through its history and tradition of friendship, but also as a dynamic, innovative and creative country with a strong aspiration to advance. In this process, people-to-people diplomacy plays an important role as a channel for lasting connections, bringing together people, knowledge and cultures while opening up numerous opportunities for practical cooperation.

Dr. Do Xuan Hoang, Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese People’s Organizations in the Russian Federation, at the first Viet Nam-Russia People’s Forum in 2025. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In this process, the most effective bridge is people who understand both countries. The Vietnamese community in Russia has a unique advantage: it has a deep understanding of Viet Nam while also being familiar with the Russian language, culture, business environment and society. I want to turn this advantage into a resource serving Viet Nam-Russia friendship in a new stage of development.

“I hope to work with the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and Russian partners to build a broader network connecting universities, research institutes, businesses, localities, cultural and social organizations, and the Vietnamese community in Russia. In particular, we need to develop in-depth cooperation programmes in areas of shared interest to the two countries, such as education, science and technology, healthcare, culture, trade and investment,” Dr. Do Xuan Hoang said.

The Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese People’s Organizations in the Russian Federation said that coordination between the Association of Vietnamese People’s Organizations in Russia and the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations should not be limited to individual events, but should instead be conducted on a regular and planned basis under a long-term orientation, with culture serving as a bridge, the economy as a driving force, and knowledge as the foundation.

Dr. Do Xuan Hoang, member of the Executive Committee of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for the 7th term (second from the right in the back row), and delegates at a meeting with General Secretary and President To Lam on September 15, 2026. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In terms of culture, the Vietnamese community in Russia can play an active role in introducing modern Vietnamese culture while preserving its rich identity, from cuisine, the arts and the Vietnamese language to activities for young Vietnamese people born and raised in Russia.

In terms of the economy, the community can connect businesspeople from the two countries, support partner searches, share market information and contribute to long-term cooperation projects. The Vietnamese community in Russia is not only a consumer of Vietnamese products; it can also become an extended arm of Vietnamese businesses in the Russian market and the broader Eurasian region.

In terms of knowledge, we are placing particular emphasis on connecting scientists and experts with agencies, universities, research institutes and businesses in both countries. This will create opportunities for scientific research results, technological initiatives and innovation to find the shortest path to practical application in production and business.

Regarding the mobilisation of the Vietnamese diaspora’s intellectual and financial resources, Dr. Do Xuan Hoang, Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese People’s Organizations in the Russian Federation, said the Vietnamese community in Russia possesses a wide range of resources with long-term value, including knowledge, management experience, financial resources, networks and an in-depth understanding of the local market. To help consolidate and make effective use of these resources, we can:

First, build a network of Vietnamese intellectuals and experts in Russia and connect them with universities, research institutes, businesses and localities in Viet Nam, shifting from the model of “inviting experts to provide opinions” towards a model in which they jointly participate in addressing specific development challenges facing the country.

Second, build a network of Vietnamese businesspeople in Russia, creating conditions for the capital, experience and business relationships of the diaspora to contribute to sectors that Viet Nam needs to develop, particularly technology-intensive projects and areas capable of generating high added value.

Third, build trust. Overseas Vietnamese will be willing to invest their time, expertise and capital if they see a favourable and transparent environment, clear cooperation mechanisms and genuine opportunities to make meaningful contributions.

Expectations and Recommendations - Part 1 Drawing on their dedication and expertise, scholars, veterans, businesspeople, tourists, artists, young people, overseas Vietnamese, as well as Vietnamese and foreign diplomats, have shared their views and aspirations for the upcoming Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations.

Promoting Important Role of Vietnamese Youth in Japan The seminar titled “Vietnamese Youth in Japan – Resolution 23-NQ/TW, Promoting the Role of the Young Generation”, co-organized by the Consulate General of Viet Nam in Osaka (Japan) and Viet Nam-Japan Cultural and Educational Cooperation Promotion Center (VJCE) was recently held in Japan.