An online conference on implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress on people-to-people diplomacy with 30 provincial and municipal unions of friendship organizations, March 30, 2026. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

New spaces

Over the next five years, globalization, digital transformation, green growth, human security, and the growing role of non-state actors will open up new spaces for people-to-people diplomacy.

A march by the Fridays for Future movement during the Global Climate Action Day in Berlin, Germany, September 20, 2025. (Photo: Leonhard Lenz/Wikimedia Commons)

People's movements and social movements around the world are becoming increasingly active in the digital space. They are operating through open networks, with greater participation from young people and online communities.

Strategic competition among major powers, conflicts, polarization, declining international aid, and challenges in cyberspace are expected to continue placing increasingly high demands on people-to-people diplomacy.

Wheelchairs funded by the non-governmental organizations Giving It Back To Kids and Free Wheelchair Mission (United States) were presented to people with disabilities in Phu Lien Ward, Hai Phong, May 2026. (Photo: Hai Phong City Portal)

Domestically, Viet Nam's external relations are becoming increasingly open and its international role, standing and reputation are becoming more firmly established. The 14th National Party Congress identified the promotion of external relations and international integration as a “key and regular” task. It called for the coordinated, comprehensive and effective implementation of external relations across all three pillars: Party-to-party diplomacy, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy, with unified coordination from the central to local levels.

New thinking

For the 2026-2031 term, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations has determined that it will bring about strong innovation in the thinking and methods used to carry out people-to-people diplomacy. This will be oriented toward practical and effective outcomes, linked to national interests and the country's development goals. The focus will shift from simple exchanges and interactions toward proactively designing and implementing specific cooperation programs and initiatives, while building sustainable partnerships and mutually interwoven interests between Viet Nam and international partners.

The signing ceremony of a cooperation agreement between the World People's Assembly and Vietnamese partners in Ha Noi, August 25, 2026. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Building on the results achieved, in the next term, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and its member organizations will continue to actively expand their network of international partners. They will strengthen connections with people's organizations, non-governmental organizations, research institutes, universities, businesses and international friends.

The seminar “Science, technology and healthcare: New drivers of cooperation,” held as part of the first Viet Nam-Russia People's Forum in Ha Noi, September 30, 2025. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Coordination with localities will continue to deepen, contributing to stronger capacity, closer coordination and a greater role for the people-to-people diplomacy system from the central to local levels.

The signing of an emulation agreement at the Conference on people-to-people diplomacy of Cluster No. 1 in Quang Ninh, January 18, 2026. (Photo: Le Truong)

A broader scope of activities also creates internal requirements that need to be further strengthened. The partner network remains unbalanced, while the expansion of relations with intellectuals, businesspeople and younger generations remains slow. At times, research, forecasting and policy advice have not kept pace with rapid developments in the international situation. The quality of personnel and coordination mechanisms also need to better meet the requirements of the new tasks.

Entering the 2026-2031 term, Viet Nam's international standing and reputation are expected to continue rising. At the same time, requirements to reorganize the institutional apparatus and improve the legal and institutional framework will demand that the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations continue to make strong innovations in its organization and operating methods.

A Trusted Bridge Connecting Viet Nam with Friends Around the World Looking back on 10 years of cooperation with the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, Margot Carlson Delogne, Founder of the 2 Sides Project (United States), said that relations between the two sides have been built on friendship, trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to peace and understanding among peoples. In a congratulatory letter to the National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for the 2026-2031 term, she expressed her hope that the two sides would continue working together for peace, friendship, and a shared spirit of humanity.

What Does “Serving the National Interest” Mean in People-to-People Diplomacy? In the article “Promoting comprehensive foreign affairs at new height,” General Secretary and President To Lam affirmed that diplomacy in the new era must “ensure the highest national interests; take peace, independence, self-reliance and self-strengthening as its foundation; place the people at the center of all policies; and regard contributing to the international community as a responsibility.” This is an important orientation for diplomatic affairs, including people-to-people diplomacy. Viet Nam Times Magazine has compiled a number of orientations and directives from the Party, as well as experts’ views, on the concept of “serving the national interest” in people-to-people diplomacy.