People-to-People Diplomacy: Soft Power Strengthening Vietnam - Poland Friendship

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Attending the event on the Vietnamese side were: President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son; Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Ngoc Hung; and President of the Vietnam–Poland Friendship Association Nguyen The Thao.

The Polish delegation included Head of Mission of the Polish Embassy in Vietnam Joanna Skoczek; Minister-Counsellor Justina Pabian, and Counsellor in charge of Public Diplomacy Vitoria Nguyen.

President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son delivers remarks at the gathering (Photo: Dinh Hoa).

Speaking at the event, Phan Anh Son noted that looking back on the 75-year history of bilateral relations, we increasingly appreciate the support that the peoples of the two nations have extended to each other. During the most challenging years of Vietnam’s struggle for independence and national reconstruction, Vietnam consistently received heartfelt support from the Polish people. For thousands of Vietnamese, Poland was not only a place of study but also became a second homeland - a place preserving their youth and most beautiful memories. Today, Vietnam-Poland relations are making important strides. The official visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Poland in January 2025 opened a new and promising chapter.

The President emphasized that within the overall framework of the Vietnam-Poland friendship and cooperation over the years, people-to-people diplomacy has played an especially important role in building a solid social foundation through peace, solidarity, friendship activities, cultural exchanges, education, art, academic cooperation, local-to-local connections, and collaboration between friendship organizations. The Vietnam-Poland Friendship Association has become the “keeper of the flame” of bilateral friendship, gathering and connecting thousands of former students and researchers - elite intellectuals well-versed in Polish culture, who continue to contribute to the relationship between the two countries.

In recent years, many people-to-people diplomatic activities between Vietnam and Poland have deepened and become more substantive, such as friendship exchanges, exhibitions, food festivals, and Vietnamese Film Weeks. Generations of Vietnamese alumni in Poland, together with the community of more than 30,000 Vietnamese living and working in the country, have become a reliable bridge, actively promoting Vietnam’s image in Poland and bringing the Polish people and culture closer to Vietnam, fostering mutual understanding and trust.

Phan Anh Son affirmed that in a world full of uncertainties, the role of people-to-people diplomacy has become increasingly important. It is a form of soft power and a foundation for sustainable bilateral relations, while also opening new areas of cooperation aligned with the development needs of the era.

Head of Mission of the Polish Embassy in Vietnam Joanna Skoczek speaks at the event. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Head of Mission of the Polish Embassy in Vietnam Joanna Skoczek stated that the friendship gathering marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties is testament to the development, dynamism, and partnership between the two countries. People-to-people exchanges, she emphasized, form the foundation of bilateral relations. Despite changes in eras, political systems, and economies, and the emergence of new challenges, the relationship that has been nurtured over seven decades remains strong and continues to bear fruit for the future.

According to her, although Vietnam and Poland are geographically distant and have different cultural and historical backgrounds, the two nations share many similarities. Over more than seven decades of cooperation, Poland has responded to many Vietnamese requests and offered various forms of support. Most notably, Poland welcomed thousands of Vietnamese students, engineers, and experts who, upon returning home, actively contributed to building an independent Vietnam. Many students developed a love for the Polish language and literature and later became leading translators of Polish works into Vietnamese.

She stressed that educational cooperation has always been one of the most dynamic and promising areas of bilateral collaboration. Polish educational programs are highly attractive to Vietnamese youth. The Polish Embassy in Vietnam is also implementing various initiatives to introduce Polish language and culture to the Vietnamese community. “Our bilateral relationship is very dynamic,” Ambassador Joanna Skoczek affirmed.

Many former students and researchers attended the gathering. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

The gathering also provided an opportunity for those who once lived or studied in Poland to meet, reconnect, and strengthen their bonds.

Many former students and researchers attended the gathering. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Delegates pose for a commemorative photo. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

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