Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Politburo Member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and central mass organizations, and President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Distinguished leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, and Viet Nam Fatherland Front,

Distinguished leaders of central Party and State agencies, ministries, sectors and mass organizations, and leaders of provinces and cities,

Excellencies Ambassadors and Chargés d’Affaires, representatives of international organizations and foreign non-governmental organizations in Viet Nam,

Distinguished Presidium, distinguished delegates,

Today, I am very pleased to attend the 7th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for the 2026-2031 term, an important political event that opens a new chapter in the development of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations in the country’s new era of development.

On behalf of the Party and State leadership, I would like to extend my warm greetings, cordial regards and best wishes to the distinguished leaders and former leaders of the Party, State and Viet Nam Fatherland Front; leaders of central and local agencies; international guests; and all leaders, officials, and employees of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations from the central to local levels.

Distinguished delegates,

Looking back at the historical stages of Viet Nam’s revolution, we can proudly affirm that people-to-people diplomacy is a unique innovation of our Party and President Ho Chi Minh. It bears the distinctive identity and character of Viet Nam and is imbued with the “soul” of Viet Nam, forged from the cultural and humanistic values that have created the enduring strength of our nation.

The strength of people-to-people diplomacy is rooted in the spirit of great national unity combined with noble international solidarity. Throughout the history of our country, people-to-people diplomacy has always accompanied the nation and made major contributions to the struggle for national liberation and the cause of building socialism in our country.

Throughout this historical journey, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and its member organizations have continuously grown and affirmed their important position and role within the political system. They have effectively served as a bridge of friendship and messengers of peace, conveying to international friends the message of a Viet Nam that cherishes peace and friendship, remains faithful to its commitments, and acts responsibly.

Distinguished delegates,

Having heard the Report reviewing the implementation of the Resolution of the 6th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, we can affirm that during the past term, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations successfully fulfilled its tasks and overcome all difficulties and challenges. It introduced many innovations and achieved numerous breakthroughs, with its activities becoming more substantive and modern. Its approach has shifted from primarily focusing on “exchanges and friendship” to closely linking its activities with the country’s socio-economic development objectives. Its network of international friends and partners has continued to be strengthened and expanded in the direction of multilateralization and diversification, with deeper engagement and more practical outcomes.

The mobilization of foreign non-governmental aid has been carried out in an increasingly systematic and professional manner. Although global aid resources have tended to decline, the Union has maintained and diversified its resources and allocated them to priority areas such as poverty reduction, education, healthcare, war legacy remediation, climate change response, and substantive contributions to major national programs. These resources not only generate material value but also serve as a bridge connecting the sentiments of people in other countries with the people of Viet Nam.

Research and policy advisory work has made clear qualitative progress, providing effective support for the formulation of foreign policy. External information and mobilization of overseas Vietnamese have continued to undergo strong innovation in both content and format, spreading the story of a Viet Nam that is renewing and dynamic, a responsible partner and a trusted member of the international community.

On behalf of the Party and State leadership, I warmly commend, acknowledge and congratulate the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and its member organizations on the results and achievements they have attained during the past term.

I also highly appreciate the fact that you have frankly upheld the spirit of criticism and self-criticism and pointed out the limitations and shortcomings in task implementation, as stated in the Political Report and the Review Report of the Executive Committee. Of particular note are shortcomings in policy advisory and forecasting work, which have not kept pace with the rapid and complex developments in the world situation; uneven performance among some member organizations at the central and local levels; and the fact that some activities remain ceremonial and formalistic, with limited effectiveness.

I propose that following the Congress, all levels of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and its member organizations promptly implement the Congress Resolution and put forward effective solutions to address existing shortcomings and limitations, thereby making the Union’s activities increasingly substantive, improving their quality and effectiveness, and making greater contributions to the country’s diplomacy.

Distinguished delegates,

We are living in a period when the world is witnessing rapid and historic changes. Peace, cooperation and development remain major trends, but at the same time, localized conflicts and competition among major powers are becoming increasingly intense; non-traditional security challenges and climate change are growing. The Fourth Industrial Revolution, with artificial intelligence and big data, is bringing us many new opportunities and prospects, while also presenting no small number of difficulties and challenges.

Viet Nam’s development today cannot be separated from the world’s evolving trends. The 14th National Party Congress identified two strategic centenary goals: by 2030, Viet Nam is to become a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income; by 2045, it is to become a developed, high-income country. To achieve these goals and realize the aspiration of building a strong and prosperous Viet Nam, alongside awakening and promoting our internal strengths, we must strongly and effectively mobilize all external resources and secure the broad consensus and support of friends and people around the world.

Achieving the country’s two strategic goals requires the entire Party, people and armed forces, together with all sectors and levels, to make unceasing efforts. This also places a new historic mission on the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations. People-to-people diplomacy must make greater efforts, take more decisive action and achieve stronger breakthroughs so that it can truly serve as the core force of one of the three pillars of Viet Nam’s diplomacy.

Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Politburo Member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and central mass organizations, and President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee, delivers a speech at the Congress. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Distinguished delegates,

Regarding the orientations, objectives, tasks and solutions set out in the Draft Political Report to the Congress, I basically agree and would like to draw your attention to the following points:

First, develop a proper understanding of the significance of the mission of people-to-people diplomacy and the core role of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations. Party committees and authorities at all levels, agencies, sectors, mass organizations, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and its member organizations need to recognize that people-to-people diplomacy plays an extremely important role and has considerable strength. Our Party has identified it as an important pillar, together with Party-to-Party diplomacy and State diplomacy, in shaping Viet Nam’s diplomacy. Therefore, all levels and sectors should pay due attention to providing leadership and creating all favorable conditions for people-to-people diplomacy to become increasingly substantive and effective, serving as a “soft shield” and a “belt of peace” and contributing to protecting the Fatherland early and from afar.

Second, strongly and comprehensively renew the content and methods of people-to-people diplomacy toward greater substance and effectiveness, creating concrete outcomes and contributing to the prosperity of the country. The entire Union system needs to shift from a mindset that emphasizes quantity to one that prioritizes quality; rather than pursuing high-profile events, it should focus on depth and substantive effectiveness. Alongside its core task of building a solid and stable social foundation for relations between Viet Nam and other countries, the Union must make a strong shift toward a model of “people-to-people diplomacy for development,” using the effectiveness of economic, trade, investment, and science and technology connections as a measure of its value; and become a substantive bridge helping localities, businesses, educational institutions and research institutions connect with the world. All programs to mobilize international resources and foreign non-governmental aid must be closely aligned with national development strategies, closely respond to the practical needs of each locality, and focus on key areas such as digital transformation, green growth, high-quality education, and climate change adaptation.

Third, synchronously implement breakthrough measures to expand the space for external relations, firmly consolidate the foundations of bilateral relations, and enhance Viet Nam’s multilateral standing. I urge you to focus on reviewing, consolidating and “renewing” the system of partners in key areas; put forward initiatives and help shape agendas at major international people’s forums; assume a “leading” role in appropriate areas; proactively connect with scholars, businesspeople and research institutes; and pay particular attention to building a younger generation of people in partner countries who have affection for Viet Nam, thereby ensuring the sustainable continuity of relations with international friends. At the same time, a breakthrough must be made in external information work, enhancing our capacity to tell Viet Nam’s story to the world.

Fourth, closely and comprehensively coordinate with Party-to-Party diplomacy and State diplomacy, ensuring that the three pillars operate as a solid “three-legged stool”; while also making full use of the Union’s specialized role to provide proactive advice to the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front in bringing together, uniting and providing orientation for forces engaged in people-to-people diplomacy across the country.

Fifth, continue to build a streamlined and effective organizational structure for people-to-people diplomacy, raising it to the stature of a modern and professional foreign affairs organization. The Union must decisively complete the organizational model from the central to local levels in the direction of streamlining, professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness; the entire system must soon complete the development of a shared database on partners, overseas Vietnamese and experts, and operate 100% of its processes on digital platforms.

Distinguished delegates,

On this occasion, I respectfully call on central Party and State agencies, ministries, sectors and mass organizations, as well as Party committees, authorities and Viet Nam Fatherland Front organizations at all local levels, to fully recognize the importance of people-to-people diplomacy and create the most favorable conditions possible for the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and its member organizations at the central and local levels to best fulfill their core and specialized roles in the new situation.

Our country is entering a new era of development. The Party, State, Viet Nam Fatherland Front and people place their trust in the political steadfastness, intellect, spirit of innovation and aspiration to contribute of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations. I am firmly confident that, entering the new term with new momentum, new thinking and new impetus, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations will continue to write glorious chapters in its history, elevate people-to-people diplomacy to a new level, and make worthy contributions to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

On the occasion of today’s Congress, I would like to congratulate the 97 comrades elected by the Congress to the Executive Committee, and congratulate the comrades elected by the Executive Committee to the leadership bodies of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for the 7th term, 2026-2031. I wish you unity and wisdom as you lead the Union to successfully fulfill its tasks and effectively implement the Resolution adopted by the Congress.

Once again, I wish the distinguished leaders and former leaders of the Party and State, international guests and all delegates attending the Congress good health, happiness and success in all your respective positions and responsibilities.

I wish the 7th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for the 2026–2031 term every success!

Thank you very much!

Amendments and Supplements to the Charter of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations At the first session of the 7th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for the 2026-2031 term, delegates heard a report on amendments and supplements to the Charter of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations.

Sharing Common Goal, Taking Initiative At the first session of the 7th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for the 2026-2031 term, held in Hanoi on September 14, delegates shared practical, field-tested experience in people-to-people diplomacy. Their discussions focused on concrete approaches: building trust in border areas, leveraging the strengths of organizations and localities, connecting resources, nurturing the next generation, and making tangible results the measure of effectiveness.