VUFO Delegation Visits Historical Site in Thai Nguyen
	Promoting the Strength of People-to-People Diplomacy in the New Context

Harchand Singh, Secretary-General of the All India Peace and Solidarity Organization (AIPSO)

Promoting commonalities for shared progress

India and Viet Nam share a common legacy of courage, resilience, and steadfast commitment to justice, from the struggles against colonialism and imperialism to the tireless efforts to build societies founded on peace, equality, and prosperity. The journeys of both nations have always been intertwined with solidarity and mutual respect.

Harchand Singh, Secretary-General of the All India Peace and Solidarity Organization (AIPSO). (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In my view, cultural exchange plays an essential role in bringing the peoples of our two countries closer together. Such events not only strengthen mutual understanding but also provide opportunities for people from both countries to explore and experience each other’s rich cultural heritage.

Tourism is also a promising area for cooperation. The Vietnamese Government has recently introduced more favorable visa policies for Indian visitors. Viet Nam offers many attractive destinations, where Indian tourists can not only enjoy the country’s beautiful landscapes but also learn about its history and its people.

India also offers extensive opportunities for cooperation in various sectors such as information technology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and higher education. Our universities can provide Vietnamese students with access to high-quality education at affordable costs, particularly in the fields of engineering and science.

India aims to become a developed nation by 2047, while Viet Nam pursues the same goal by 2045. This shared vision presents a great opportunity for both countries to deepen cooperation and achieve mutual growth. With India’s 1.43 billion population and Viet Nam’s relatively high population density, the two nations can work together to promote sustainable development and address global challenges such as climate change.

Both India and Viet Nam are facing similar challenges, including poverty, unemployment, and the need to improve the quality of education. In this context, young people must play a leading role in addressing these issues through cooperation and innovation. I believe that, with the joint efforts of our governments, organizations, and citizens, we can overcome difficulties and build a bright future for future generations.

Petr Tsvetov, First Vice President of the Russia-Viet Nam Friendship Association:

Pass this love to the younger generation

I still remember the difficult years of the 1990s, when our Association had almost no budget for activities. Yet, thanks to the support of former Vietnamese students who once studied in the Soviet Union, the Russia-Viet Nam Friendship Association managed to sustain many meetings, exhibitions, and concerts. I can still recall the Vietnamese artists who passionately performed Russian music, and the Vietnamese painters who eagerly joined joint exhibitions. Those memories remain indelible - a testament to the loyalty and warmth that have long characterized our friendship exchanges.

Petr Tsvetov, First Vice President of the Russia-Viet Nam Friendship Association. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Over the past year and a half, Russia-Viet Nam relations have entered a new phase of development. In less than one year, more than 40 cooperation documents have been signed, opening up bright prospects for comprehensive collaboration.

Now in my seventies, I still ponder how to further nurture this lasting friendship. My colleagues and I, together with the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, are developing several initiatives for the younger generation, such as online forums where young people from both countries can communicate in Vietnamese and Russian, and programs that encourage the study of Russian linked to practical job opportunities. I firmly believe that it is the youth who will carry forward this legacy, ensuring that the Russia-Viet Nam friendship endures forever.

Tan Liying, Director of the Ho Chi Minh Exhibition House in Longzhou County (Guangxi, China):

Following in President Ho Chi Minh’s footsteps

The Ho Chi Minh Exhibition House in Longzhou County is not only a place that preserves the historical memories of the traditional Viet Nam-China friendship, but also a bridge connecting the hearts of the two peoples. Through educational activities and exhibitions, we hope to help younger generations better understand, continue, and cherish the deep affection built through the sacrifices and hardships of earlier revolutionary generations, so that the Viet Nam-China friendship may be passed down from one generation to the next.

Tan Liying (left) hopes that cooperation between China and Viet Nam will become increasingly strong and fruitful. (Photo: Ngoc Anh)

At present, the Exhibition House has launched a “Red Journey” research route, in which the Ho Chi Minh Exhibition House serves as an important stop. In the next phase, we plan to expand the “Ho Chi Minh trail” tourism route across Guangxi and promote it widely in Viet Nam, with a focus on educating visitors about revolutionary traditions.

Looking ahead, we also hope to apply modern technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) to create more immersive and interactive exhibition experiences. This will help spark greater interest and curiosity among young visitors, thereby enhancing the educational impact while revitalizing the way history is presented.

I hope that cooperation between China and Viet Nam in various fields will continue to grow stronger and more fruitful, so that the traditional values of friendship will be carried forward by today’s generation and the future ones.

Yoshioka Tatsuya, Co-founder and Executive Director of Peace Boat:

Voyages Filled with Peace

The first time we visited Viet Nam aboard the Peace Boat was in 1985. At that time, the country was still bearing the scars of war. During our visit, we learned a great deal about the immense efforts of the Vietnamese people in their struggle for independence, as well as the suffering they had endured for so long because of the war.

Yoshioka Tatsuya, Co-founder and Executive Director of Peace Boat. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In human history, the war in Viet Nam stands as one of the most devastating conflicts. The experiences of the Vietnamese people have conveyed a profound lesson on the value of peace, on peace philosophy, peace education, and peacebuilding activities. We have visited Viet Nam almost every year since then. Personally, I have traveled to Viet Nam more than 50 times, while the Peace Boat organization has made around 39 visits.

I see great potential for further cooperation between Peace Boat and the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), especially in areas such as peace research, sustainable development, climate crisis response, and ocean-related issues. Our collaboration should not be limited to peace alone, but could also expand to programs for youth and lifelong learning. Experiential programs like the Peace Boat, combining travel, intercultural exchange, and cross-border dialogue, create opportunities for young people from different countries to meet, learn, and share with one another. Our goal is to design engaging activities that inspire curiosity and enthusiasm among the younger generation, encouraging them to take the initiative in learning about and contributing to the global journey toward peace and sustainable development.

Pastor Bob Roberts - President of the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE, USA):

Shared faith - Building a life together

Every time I visit churches in Viet Nam, I have a deeply positive experience. The churches are vibrant, growing strongly, and achieving remarkable results. Their stories of development have become known throughout the world. I am deeply impressed by how well the congregants understand the Bible, maintain a solid foundation of faith, and live according to its teachings.

What strikes me most is the strong spirit of community involvement among believers in Viet Nam. They not only practice their faith but also serve as good citizens, actively contributing to the prosperity of the nation.

The Government of Viet Nam has made significant progress in the field of religion. Since 2001, many legal documents have been issued to promote religious freedom and protect churches and religious organizations, not only for Christianity but also for other faiths.

Pastor Bob Roberts, President of the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE, USA), head of the Delegation of the Global Collaborative Community. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

The cooperation between the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) and our Vietnamese partners has been excellent. We are not only partners in addressing important issues but also close friends, building relationships based on trust and mutual respect. This has helped us gain a deeper understanding of your experiences and ongoing efforts.

IGE’s activities in Viet Nam have become a model we are now applying in many other countries, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Sudan, and Pakistan. Viet Nam is not only a place where IGE supports the promotion of religious freedom, but also a place where we have learned valuable lessons to share with the rest of the world.

IGE and the Viet Nam-US Society have signed a memorandum of understanding for the 2023-2028 period, opening promising prospects for cooperation. Beyond promoting religious freedom, we also emphasize religious responsibility by implementing meaningful community-based projects. In the future, we hope to further strengthen exchanges and connections among pastors, churches, government leaders, and communities in both Viet Nam and the US. Through such delegation exchange programs, we believe that our relationship will continue to deepen, creating long-term, meaningful values for both sides.

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