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The power of trust and friendship

For decades, when Vietnam was still facing great difficulties, international organizations and friends shared our burdens and lent their hands to help the Vietnamese people overcome the consequences of war, eradicate poverty, improve healthcare, develop education, protect the environment, and support vulnerable groups. They came not only with material assistance but also with heartfelt goodwill and faith in Vietnam’s path of development.

According to the People’s Aid Co-ordinating Committee (PACCOM), the total value of aid from foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to Vietnam in 2024 exceeded USD 233 million, with a disbursement rate of nearly 80%. During the 2020-2024 period, total aid through the NGO channel reached nearly USD 1.14 billion. In a world of constant upheaval, these figures demonstrate that Vietnam remains a trusted destination for international NGOs and donors.

However, as Vietnam continues its strong transformation toward the goal of achieving upper-middle-income status by 2030 and becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045, aid mobilization efforts should shift toward building “partnerships in companionship” - cooperating, growing, and creating sustainable value together.

The information sharing conference with foreign non-governmental organizations organized by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) and the Committee for Foreign Non-Governmental Organization Affairs, July 17 in Hanoi. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

New mindset of cooperation and companionship

Today’s world is changing rapidly, with the digital economy, climate change, non-traditional security challenges, and the green transition. These transformations require Vietnam to renew both its mindset and approach toward foreign non-governmental aid.

First, we need to shift from the mindset of “receiving aid” to that of “cooperating for shared development.” Aid is not only a financial flow, it is an opportunity to exchange knowledge, technology, governance models, and methods for community development. NGOs seek not only to “give” but also to “work together”, “learn together”, and “spread impact together.” Vietnam can truly become a model of this new form of cooperation, where aid is linked with innovation, green transition, and the enhancement of human and social capacities.

Second, we must move from individual mobilization to networked coordination. NGOs today operate more professionally, forming alliances across sectors and partners. Government agencies, Vietnamese organizations, local authorities, enterprises, and communities must all be engaged. When a “unified voice” is established, the effectiveness of aid mobilization and utilization multiplies significantly.

Third, there should be a shift from short-term assistance to long-term strategic cooperation. Whereas aid in the past focused mainly on isolated projects, we now need to pursue strategic programs that foster high-quality human resources, clean energy, public health, innovation, and sustainable social development.

Finally, we need to move from administrative management to smart and transparent coordination. In the digital era, open data platforms, digital aid maps, and online reporting systems should be promoted. Enhancing transparency not only strengthens international partners’ trust but also enables management agencies and local authorities to use every unit of aid more effectively.

Vice President of the Dong Nai Union of Friendship Organizations Vy Vu Hong Thao receives a symbolic sponsorship plaque from WWO (USA). (Photo: dufo.dongnai.gov.vn)

New approach: flexible and human-centered

Building on a renewed mindset, the mobilization of foreign non-governmental aid should be shaped along three main directions:

First, place beneficiaries at the center. A project can only be considered truly successful when it brings real opportunities and empowerment to the people, especially vulnerable groups such as women, children, persons with disabilities, and those living in remote or disadvantaged areas.

Second, regard aid as a lever for green and digital transformation. Community-based green development models, energy-saving initiatives, smart rural entrepreneurship, and circular economy projects should be scaled up. This direction also aligns with the priorities of leading NGOs such as WWF, WVI, AAI, Oxfam, Plan International, and ChildFund, which are actively promoting these efforts in Vietnam.

Third, promote people-to-people diplomacy in greater depth. Every aid project is also a touching story of humanity, of understanding and sharing that transcend differences in culture, language, and nationality. That is precisely the soft power of Viet Nam in international relations.

Challenges to overcome

Despite many positive improvements, foreign non-governmental work still faces a number of difficulties: overlapping legal frameworks, lengthy project approval procedures, limited communication about aid outcomes, and varying levels of mobilization capacity across localities.

However, these challenges have not diminished the trust of international friends in Vietnam. On the contrary, they encourage us to become more professional, modern, and proactive in our approaches. Viet Nam continues to enjoy the advantages of a stable socio-political environment and growing international reputation.

Rising in a new era

Looking back on 75 years of people-to-people diplomacy, we are reminded once again that non-governmental aid is not merely a flow of material resources; it is a flow of trust and compassion.

In this era of globalization and digital transformation, as the world seeks to rediscover humanistic values, Vietnam’s foreign NGO work must continue to embody its own distinctive character: humanity, inclusiveness, initiative, creativity, and a people-centered spirit.

To achieve this, we need a capable, professional, and dedicated team working in the field of foreign NGO affairs; flexible mechanisms to unlock resources; and above all, a new mindset, one of partnership, innovation, and trust.

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