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On the evening of April 22, at Van Lake, Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (Hanoi), the Friendship Exchange Program celebrating the traditional New Year festivals of several Asian countries in 2026 was held in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, contributing to enhanced mutual understanding and strengthened solidarity between the people of Vietnam and those of countries across the region.

On April 6 in Hanoi, a delegation of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, led by Nguyen Dac Vinh, Member of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for Culture and Social Affairs of the 15th tenure, and President of the Association, visited the Embassy of Laos in Vietnam to extend congratulations on the occasion of the Bunpimay New Year 2026 (Buddhist Era 2569).

On April 2 in Hanoi, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, in coordination with the Committee for Foreign Non-Governmental Organization Affairs, held the 2026 Information Sharing Conference with foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs), aiming to promptly provide updates and operational orientations for organizations working in Viet Nam.

On the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, on March 26 in Hanoi, the Youth Union of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations held the “Youth forum of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and central mass organizations on people-to-people diplomacy and international integration in the new era.” At the forum, youth union members exchanged views and proposed solutions to promote their vanguard role in international connectivity and in promoting Viet Nam’s image to the world.

On March 21, 2026, at Huong Pagoda, the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations, in coordination with the Hanoi Department of Tourism and the authorities of Huong Son commune, organized the “Friendship Spring Excursion 2026” program. The event attracted nearly 400 delegates, including representatives of diplomatic missions, international organizations, ambassadors, heads of foreign representative offices in Vietnam, as well as travel enterprises and agencies from Hanoi.

Having lived and worked in Hanoi for many years, Dr. Michael Parsons (Australia) has had the opportunity to directly observe elections in Vietnam. According to him, election day in many localities has an atmosphere similar to a “festival,” where people proactively learn about candidates, dress formally to cast their votes, and participate in the event with a strong sense of responsibility.

The year 2025 marked a dynamic and effective period for Viet Nam’s people-to-people diplomacy. Amid complex developments in the global and regional landscape, the activities of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) were implemented with clear innovations in mindset, approaches, content, and methods. These efforts contributed to expanding cooperation and spreading Viet Nam’s values of peace and humanity to the international community, affirming its role as a pillar of Viet Nam’s comprehensive and modern diplomacy.

The Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations has identified 2026 as a pivotal year to further enhance the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy, consolidate the foundation of peace, strengthen friendship exchanges, and expand international cooperation, thereby making practical contributions to the capital’s integration and sustainable development.

On February 12 in Hanoi, UNESCO and the Government of Japan signed an agreement to implement the project entitled “Strengthening Viet Nam’s Capacity on Early Warning, Disaster Risk Reduction and Safe Learning Environment,” aimed at enhancing early warning capabilities, preparedness, and post-disaster recovery in Vietnam.

Held online, Gala Yeu Tet 2026 brought together overseas Vietnamese children from numerous countries, creating a special space for cultural exchange where the Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet) was told through music, art, and the love for one’s roots nurtured by young generations living far from home.

Implementing Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW, one year ago, on January 24, 2025, the Party Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and Central mass organizations was officially established. Operating in a new context and with a renewed mindset, particularly as the entire country is mobilizing all resources to enter a new era, what marks has this Party Committee left during its first year of operation? On the occasion of the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (February 3, 1930 - February 3, 2026), Thoi Dai held an exchange with Dr. Nguyen Minh Chung, Member of the Standing Committee and Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission of the Party Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and Central mass organizations, on this topic.

Tran Phuong Lien, Chief Representative of REI (US) in Vietnam, noted that positive progress in healthcare and education is making an important contribution to enhancing Vietnam’s role and credibility on the international stage. A people-centered development approach not only improves quality of life at home, but also increases Vietnam’s attractiveness in international cooperation.

This is the assessment of Pham Quang Tu, Deputy Country Director of Oxfam in Vietnam. According to him, Vietnam is increasingly affirming its role and credibility as a responsible development partner, recognized by the international community.

Van Ngoc Thinh, National Director of the World Wide Fund for Nature in Vietnam (WWF-Vietnam), believes that the country’s rich biodiversity, together with sustained efforts in ecosystem conservation and restoration, is helping to shape Vietnam’s development position and enhance its credibility on the international stage.

According to Karolina Rutkowska, Country Programme Director of VVOB (Kingdom of Belgium) in Vietnam, alongside its socio-economic development achievements, Vietnam is gradually asserting itself as an important reference point for education reform and human capacity development in Southeast Asia.