VUFO President Sends Letter to Women in People-to-people Diplomacy
	Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation: Fostering Vietnam's Peace in the New Era

This year’s Romesh Chandra Peace Award is presented to Madam Nguyen Thi Binh, Uong Chu Luu, and Tran Dac Loi, former Standing Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, Standing Vice President of the Viet Nam Peace Committee, and Standing Vice President of the Viet Nam Peace and Development Foundation (now the Viet Nam Peace and Development Council). At this ceremony in Hanoi, the award was bestowed upon Madam Nguyen Thi Binh and Uong Chu Luu; the award presentation for Tran Dac Loi will be held at an appropriate time.

The event was attended by leaders of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, various ministries and agencies, as well as delegates from AIPSO.

The ceremony presents the Romesh Chandra Peace Award to Madam Nguyen Thi Binh, former Member of the Party Central Committee, former Vice President, and Honorary President of the Viet Nam Peace and Development Foundation (now the Viet Nam Peace and Development Council). (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Speaking at the ceremony, Pallab Sengupta, Secretary of the National Council of the Communist Party of India and President of the World Peace Council, highly appreciated the contributions of Vietnamese individuals to the global peace and solidarity movement and praised their role in fostering bonds of friendship between the Vietnamese people and other nations.

Pallab Sengupta expressed his honor in presenting the Romesh Chandra Peace Award to Madam Nguyen Thi Binh, one of the world's most inspirational figures in the pursuit of peace, independence, and social justice. He emphasized that Madam Bình shines brightly in the heroic history of Vietnam’s struggle, having served as the chief negotiator of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam at the Paris Conference, courageously and with great dignity, voicing not only the aspirations of the Vietnamese people but also those of all who fought against imperialism and for peace.

After national reunification, she continued to serve the country in roles such as Minister of Education and Vice President, working to advance reconciliation, social progress, and international friendship. Her lifelong commitment to peace, national independence, education, and women’s empowerment embodies the ideals upheld throughout the life of Romesh Chandra, Honorary President of the World Peace Council. Sengupta stressed that honoring her today affirms the enduring friendship between the peoples of Vietnam and India, forged through shared struggles and strengthened by mutual respect.

Madam Nguyen Thi Binh, former Member of the Party Central Committee, former Vice President, and Honorary President of the Viet Nam Peace and Development Foundation (now the Viet Nam Peace and Development Council), shakes hands with Rabin Deb, Member of the Central Control Commission of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Member of the Advisory Council of the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Pallab Sengupta also commended the contributions of Uong Chu Luu to advancing the ideals of independence, equality, and social progress championed by President Ho Chi Minh. As President of the Viet Nam Peace Committee, Uong Chu Luu has helped elevate Vietnam’s voice in the global peace and friendship movement, contributed to strengthening the international peace and solidarity movement, and deepened the historic relationship between the peoples of Vietnam and India, as well as with other nations sharing the aspiration for a just and peaceful world. The Romesh Chandra Peace Award recognizes Uong Chu Luu’s personal contributions while also honoring the collective efforts of the Vietnamese people in building a global order rooted in justice, peace, equality, and mutual respect.

Pallab Sengupta (right), Secretary of the National Council of the Communist Party of India and President of the World Peace Council, presents the Romesh Chandra Peace Award to former Member of the Party Central Committee, former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, and President of the Viet Nam Peace Committee Uong Chu Luu. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Speaking at the ceremony, Madam Nguyen Thi Binh expressed her honor at receiving an award named after a prominent political activist of India and the world. She shared that she once had the opportunity to work with Romesh Chandra within the framework of international activities. Under his leadership, the World Peace Council became a core force in the movement against imperialism, for peace and national independence, and actively supported the Vietnamese people's struggle, contributing to the victory of the Vietnamese revolution.

On this occasion, Madam Binh extended her gratitude to the Government, the Communist Party of India, and the Indian people. She recalled her profound memories of her visit to India in 1971, during the tense Paris negotiations and the fierce fighting in South Vietnam. She was warmly received by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, despite opposition from the Saigon administration’s consulate, reflecting India’s independent foreign policy and respect for sovereignty. She emotionally recalled the words of Vietnam’s supporters: “You are Vietnam, I am Vietnam, we are Vietnam,” expressing her hope that the friendship between the two countries will continue to grow stronger for peace and mutual benefit.

Uong Chu Luu expressed his gratitude to AIPSO and to his colleagues and friends at home and abroad, including the World Peace Council and the Lao Committee for Peace and Solidarity, who have always accompanied him in the cause of peace and friendship.

He noted that established in 1950, the Viet Nam Peace Committee was one of Vietnam’s first multilateral people’s organizations, founded under the direction of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh to operate in the field of people-to-people diplomacy. It linked the Vietnamese people’s struggle for national independence and reunification with the global cause of protecting peace. Through generations of leaders who laid the foundation and devoted great effort, the Committee has continually grown, making significant contributions to Vietnam’s revolutionary struggle for liberation and reunification, to national construction and defense, and to the global people’s movement for peace, national independence, democracy, and social progress.

Uong Chu Luu affirmed that receiving the award is not only a personal honor but also a reminder of responsibility in the context of global peace being challenged by war, conflict, inequality, and violence. In the time ahead, the Viet Nam Peace Committee will continue to promote people-to-people diplomacy, foster friendship and solidarity between the Vietnamese people and international friends, and contribute to building a just, civilized, and sustainable world.

Former VP Nguyen Thi Binh Thanks Historical Witnesses of the Paris Peace Accord On the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Peace Accord on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam (January 27, 1973 - ...

'Paris Peace Accord - Gateway for Peace' Exhibition Opens in Hanoi The 'Paris Peace Accord - Gateway for Peace' exhibition opened in the Ho Chi Minh Museum (Hanoi) with more than 250 documents, photos, physical and ...