People-to-People Diplomacy Drives Practical Cooperation for Development

	People-to-People Diplomacy: Change to Reach Further
	Factors Influencing People-to-People Diplomacy in the New Context

In October 2025, the Viet Nam-Cambodia Business Forum in Ho Chi Minh City became a meeting point for business communities from both countries to promote investment and trade cooperation. The event was co-organized by the Viet Nam-Cambodia Friendship Association, its Ho Chi Minh City chapter, the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, and the Viet Nam-Cambodia Business Association.

The signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between Vietnamese and Cambodian enterprises at the Viet Nam-Cambodia Business Forum in Ho Chi Minh City on October 11, 2026. (Photo: daibieunhandan.vn)

At the forum, businesses discussed potential for cooperation in areas such as supermarket chains, petroleum, and food processing and trade. Cambodian enterprises expressed interest in importing more Vietnamese goods. More than 30 companies showcased products and sought direct partnerships.

A highlight of the forum was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Vissan of Viet Nam and Degrand Group of Cambodia, opening cooperation opportunities in food production and distribution.

Alongside business connectivity, several friendship organizations have supported startup and innovation ecosystems. The Viet Nam-Singapore Friendship Association launched the Social Enterprise Innovation Program in October 2024 in Hanoi and continued it through 2025.

The program focuses on training, consulting, and networking to help social and eco-oriented enterprises enhance capacity, build brands, and expand markets. Activities are held online, enabling participation from various localities.

Luong Trung Hieu, Director of Moc Sa Farm Cooperative, presents the project at the Demo Day closing event of the Social Enterprise Innovation Program (SEIP) 2025. (Photo: Thanh Luan)

These efforts show that people-to-people diplomacy is moving beyond traditional exchanges to align with concrete cooperation needs of businesses and development programs.

This direction is also emphasized in upcoming plans of many friendship associations, focusing on strengthening practical cooperation, especially in economic and trade sectors.

At a March 13 meeting of the Viet Nam-Brazil Friendship and Cooperation Association, participants highlighted the need to enhance connections between business communities and industry associations of both countries, particularly in agriculture and agricultural trade.

One proposed approach is to increase market information exchange and link Brazilian industry associations with domestic agricultural groups. This would help businesses better understand technical standards, import demand, and quarantine regulations, easing market access.

This approach is also expanding into sustainable development fields. At a March 13 meeting of the Viet Nam–Denmark Friendship Association, participants noted positive outcomes in bilateral cooperation on agriculture, environment, and green development.

The Joint Statement on the Green Strategic Partnership, adopted on November 1, 2023 by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, aims to strengthen cooperation in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, developing renewable energy, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Based on this, both sides are promoting cooperation in sustainable agriculture, food safety, and public-private partnership models, while enhancing business connectivity to expand markets.

Participants also proposed effectively implementing signed agreements and promoting agricultural trade cooperation under PPP models, while strengthening links among regulators, associations, and businesses to improve product quality and expand export markets.

In 2025, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations strongly renewed its thinking in organizing and conducting people-to-people diplomacy, focusing on political, economic, and social effectiveness. Beyond fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding, such activities now serve national development goals, acting as bridges for cooperation in economy, trade, tourism, education, investment, and international solidarity, contributing to safeguarding national interests. Ceremonial activities have been reduced, while more substantive, in-depth initiatives tied to mobilizing resources for economic, scientific, technological, cultural, and educational development have been increased.

The Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations continues to diversify people-to-people diplomacy activities with partners, while promoting international forums, conferences, and seminars to boost cooperation in economic, cultural, educational, and scientific-technological fields.

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