Nghe An Union of Friendship Organizations: Innovating External Communication

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One of the outstanding and creative achievements of the Nghe An Union of Friendship Organizations in the movement to study and follow the ideology, morality, and style of Ho Chi Minh on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of his birth (19/5/1890–19/5/2020) is the historical photo book titled “Ho Chi Minh - A Symbol of Peace and Friendship Between Viet Nam and the World.” The book was compiled by the provincial Union in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and published by the National Political Publishing House, with a preface written by the late General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong. The book received the B Prize (national level) at the 4th National Book Awards in 2021 and the C Prize for External Information from the Central Commission for Propaganda and Education in 2023.

Secretary of the Party Committee and President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, Phan Anh Sơn, presents the 2024 Emulation Flag to the Nghe An Union of Friendship Organizations for its achievements in research, advisory work, and external information. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In addition, the Nghe An Union has actively participated in writing competitions on defending the ideological foundation of the Party, with one individual winning a Consolation Prize awarded by the Central Commission for Propaganda and Education (now the Central Commission for Propaganda and Mass Mobilization). In the contest on the history of the “Ho Chi Minh maritime route,” one individual received a Third Prize awarded by the former Gia Lai Provincial Party Committee.

During the 2021-2025 period, the Nghe An Union published 15 issues of the People-to-People External Bulletin, in Vietnamese and English, reflecting the people-to-people diplomatic activities of the Union and its member friendship associations. The bulletin promoted the image, land, and people of Nghe An; featured distinctive cultural values of the Nghe region; and highlighted the province’s outstanding achievements in socio-economic development and investment attraction. Particularly important was the promotion and honoring of President Ho Chi Minh - the national liberation hero and world cultural figure – to domestic audiences and international friends.

The Nghe An Union of Friendship Organizations receives the B Prize awarded by the Council of the 4th National Book Awards in 2021. (Photo: Zing News)

The Nghe An Union built a multilingual electronic information portal (lhhnna.org.vn) with the goal of becoming a pioneer within the nationwide Union system in creating a multi-language digital platform. Besides Vietnamese, the site includes 16 foreign languages: English, Russian, French, German, Spanish, Polish, Ukrainian, Romanian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Lao, Cambodian, Thai, Czech, and Arabic. With an attractive interface and modern programming technology, it offers many useful features that support the people-to-people diplomatic activities of the provincial Union.

The Union also collaborated with the provincial Radio and Television Station to produce video clips such as: “Leaving the Past Behind, Overcoming Differences, Toward the Future” marking the 30th anniversary of Viet Nam-US diplomatic relations (1995–2025); “35 Years of Formation and Development of People-to-People Diplomacy” celebrating the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the Nghe An Union of Friendship Organizations (1988-2023); and “Milestones Along the Journey” to welcome the 5th Congress of the Nghe An Union of Friendship Organizations (2024-2029).

The Nghe An Union also organized talk shows such as: “70 Years of Viet Nam-Soviet Union/Russia Diplomatic Relations (1950–2020) and the 25th Anniversary of the Treaty on Fundamental Principles of Friendship Between the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Russian Federation (1994-2019).” It coordinated with Nghe An Newspaper to organize a roundtable conference themed “People-to-People Diplomacy in the Process of Integration and Development,” and worked with the Department of Science and Technology and the Nghe An Center for Social Sciences and Humanities to organize a workshop and experiential model presentation on the local culinary culture of the Thai ethnic community in western Nghe An, attracting many tourists.

The Nghe An Union consistently takes the initiative in people-to-people diplomatic activities, expanding friendly relations, promoting international cooperation, and mobilizing foreign non-governmental aid. It advised the Provincial People’s Committee to coordinate with the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics to organize a workshop titled “People-to-People Diplomacy in the Process of Socio-economic Integration and Development in Nghe An,” which drew participation from many scientists and long-standing experts in the field.

On 06/11/2024, the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee issued Official Dispatch No. 3062-CV/TU assigning the Nghe An Union of Friendship Organizations to develop a project on researching and connecting foreign markets through people-to-people diplomacy to promote local products and the culture of Nghe An. On 07/7/2025, the Provincial People’s Committee issued Decision No. 2153/QD-UBND, tasking the Union with the project “Researching, Assessing the Current Situation, and Proposing Solutions to Improve the Effectiveness of People-to-People Diplomacy in the Socio-economic Development Strategy of Nghe An Province.”

The Nghe An Union of Friendship Organizations poses for a commemorative photo with H.E. Marc E. Knapper – US Ambassador to Vietnam – on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Viet–US Friendship Association, now the Vietnam-US Association (October 16, 2025). (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

From these practices, several lessons can be drawn:

First, regularly internalize and thoroughly understand the Party’s directives and State laws on foreign affairs and external information; closely follow the political tasks and annual foreign affairs and external communication programs of the province to concretize them into feasible plans and projects for implementation.

Second, continue implementing Directive No. 12-CT/TW dated 05/01/2022 of the Secretariat on strengthening the Party’s leadership and improving the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy in the new situation, and Conclusion No. 57-KL/TW dated 15/6/2023 of the Politburo on enhancing the quality and efficiency of external information work. Implement Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated 22/12/2024 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation; and Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW dated 24/1/2025 of the Politburo on international integration. Promote and improve the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy; strengthen the promotion of the image, history, culture, people, and development potential of Viet Nam and Nghe An; actively apply scientific and technological achievements to create breakthroughs in modern communication; and mobilize the participation of people inside and outside the country, international friends, and the Nghe An diaspora abroad through conferences, seminars, exhibitions, talks, and friendship exchanges. At the same time, intensify communication efforts to counter and defeat hostile and opportunistic forces.

Third, proactively coordinate closely with central ministries and agencies; with all levels and sectors; with central and local media agencies; and with the entire political system. Ensuring the direct, absolute, and comprehensive leadership of the Party and the unified management of the State is the decisive condition for all victories in foreign affairs and external communication.

Fourth, strengthen the promotion of an innovative, integrated, and culturally rich Nghe An, associated with the homeland of President Ho Chi Minh, the heritage of Vi and Dam folk singing, and iconic landmarks, through diplomatic, cultural, and tourism channels. Vigorously renew external communication on digital platforms, diversify presentation formats, and inspire investment, tourism, and international cooperation.

Fifth, focus on training and developing personnel engaged in foreign affairs and external information work who possess strong political qualities, ethics, and ideological grounding; who have specialized knowledge of diplomacy and external communication; diverse skills; and proficiency in foreign languages, information technology, and digital competencies to meet the demands of the era of innovation and national digital transformation.

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