The event is expected to attract around 500-700 international delegates and guests, including leaders of localities, international organizations, diplomatic missions, business associations, trade and investment promotion organizations, experts and foreign businesses.

Pham Dut Diem, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs, provides information about the 3rd Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue in 2026. (Photo: Xuan Khu/VNA)

Local Diplomacy Linked to People-to-People Connections

FD 2026 will focus on the role of localities in implementing foreign policy, expanding multilateral cooperation networks and mobilizing international resources for development. Discussions will seek to deepen friendship and cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and international localities and partners, while generating practical results.

The Dialogue’s thematic sessions will focus on cooperation in innovation, investment attraction for research and development, technology transfer, green seaport development, logistics and supply chain connectivity.

In addition to discussion sessions, FD 2026 will broaden opportunities for exchanges through networking activities and field visits. Delegates will have the opportunity to learn about operations at Tan Cang-Cai Mep International Terminal (TCIT), while visiting cultural and historical sites in the Ba Ria-Vung Tau area.

Combining policy dialogue with meetings, exchanges and field visits will create more opportunities for localities, organizations, businesses and people to enhance mutual understanding, build trust and promote cooperation. This also represents an approach to people-to-people diplomacy that is closely linked to specific development needs, rather than being limited to dialogue and exchanges.

Ahead of the Dialogue, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Van Duoc stressed the need to strengthen cooperation, share experience and take joint action in addressing issues arising in the development process. He said cooperative relations need to be translated into programs, projects and outcomes that are in line with the interests of all parties.

Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue. (Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

From a Friendship Initiative to a Cooperation Forum

The first Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue took place on December 3, 2022, under the theme “Adapting for Recovery and Creating Development,” as the city was overcoming the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and beginning its recovery process.

The event brought together more than 20 delegations from international localities that had friendship and cooperation relations with the city. The Mayors’ Conference was a key component, focusing on sharing development experience and ways to deepen local-level cooperation in support of socio-economic development and international integration.

The second Dialogue was held on September 24, 2024, under the theme “Industrial Transformation: Development Experience and Cooperation Priorities,” attracting more than 35 delegations of leaders from international localities. Discussions focused on transforming growth models, developing high technology, promoting innovation, green transformation and digital transformation.

One highlight of the 2024 Dialogue was the unveiling of the International Friendship Symbol at Ben Bach Dang Park, recognizing cooperative relations between Ho Chi Minh City and 58 international localities and partners, while reflecting the city’s orientation toward expanding connections with international friends.

Building on the results of the previous two editions, FD 2026 places Ho Chi Minh City’s international relations in direct connection with its development goals. As the city expands its administrative boundaries, activities in Vung Tau Ward will also showcase a new development space associated with the marine economy, deep-water ports, logistics and international supply chain connectivity.

After three editions, the Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue has gradually evolved from an initiative to promote friendship between localities into a forum connecting governments, businesses and international partners. This process has enriched people-to-people diplomacy, strengthened ties among communities and aimed to turn diplomatic relations into concrete cooperation programs serving sustainable development.

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