Viet Nam in the Hearts of Friends

	Promoting Vietnam-UK Cooperation in Developing Modern Financial Services
	Initiatives to Extend the Circle of Friendship

Chen Ta Yu, Chief Representative of Tzu Chi Foundation in Viet Nam (China/Taiwan):

People are Viet Nam’s most precious asset

Viet Nam is not only blessed with beautiful nature but also with intelligent, hardworking, peace-loving, and eager-to-learn people. The Vietnamese people are the country’s most valuable asset, enabling the nation to enter a new era full of opportunities and continue to attract the world’s attention.

Throughout my time working alongside Viet Nam, I have come to deeply appreciate the loyalty and steadfast friendship that the Vietnamese people extend to their international partners. It reflects a deep respect for the past while continuing into the present through their thoughtfulness, enthusiasm, and sense of responsibility in every exchange and cooperation. These qualities form the essence of “Vietnamese affection” - a lasting value that makes us feel even more connected and appreciative.

Chen Ta Yu (left) distributes Tet gifts to residents of Tram Tau District, Yen Bai Province (now Tram Tau Commune, Lao Cai Province) on January 13, 2020. (Photo: Tzu Chi)

Tzu Chi was founded on the philosophy of compassion: to help those in need. When we came to Viet Nam, we found that the spirit of kindness among the Vietnamese people naturally aligns with Tzu Chi’s philosophy. Alongside the support and favorable conditions created by the Government, we have also received active cooperation from the People's Aid Co-ordinating Committee (PACCOM) under the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, and the Committee for Foreign Non-Governmental Organization Affairs. This assistance has not only enabled Tzu Chi to effectively implement humanitarian activities but also strengthened our confidence and desire to remain long-term partners in Viet Nam.

Radman Jesse Kivette, Chief Executive Officer of VinaCapital Foundation (USA):

Viet Nam inspires our shift from charity to sustainable development

When I first came to Viet Nam in 2000, I had the chance to visit Bac Ha (Lao Cai) and met a young female doctor who had just graduated and volunteered to work at the district hospital. What touched me deeply was her motivation, not for personal gain, but to serve the poor and disadvantaged. That moment left a profound impression on me about Viet Nam: a nation of people devoted to their community, always putting collective interests above their own. From that realization, I felt as though I had become a little more “Vietnamese,” and ever since, I have remained closely connected with this country throughout my journey.

Radman Jesse Kivette, with children supported by VinaCapital Foundation. (Photo: VCF)

Viet Nam has helped me move from a mindset of simple charity work to a deeper understanding of sustainable development - an approach that is scientific, long-term, and truly impactful.

Throughout more than 20 years of working here, I have always received support from the Government of Viet Nam, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), and the People's Aid Co-ordinating Committee (PACCOM). Even during times when international resources were limited, we continued to receive encouragement, moral support, and practical assistance from these agencies as well as from local authorities with whom I have had the privilege to work.

Lu Jingru, former nurse at Nanxishan Hospital (Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi, China):

Viet Nam: modern and optimistic

When we visited Viet Nam to attend the 70th anniversary celebration of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, we were warmly welcomed at the airport by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations. Upon entering the city, I was impressed by the skyline of high-rise buildings, the wide, open roads, and the colorful flags and flowers. The development of Viet Nam today magnifies the true value of peace. This prosperity has been built upon the sacrifices and losses I once witnessed firsthand. I believe Viet Nam will continue to grow stronger, and the friendship between China and Viet Nam will be carried forward and strengthened by younger generations through continued exchanges and learning.

Lu Jingru, former nurse at Nanxishan Hospital (Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi, China). (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

I started working at Nanxishan Hospital when I was only 17 or 18 years old. I personally took part in treating wounded and sick Vietnamese soldiers. Many of them were about the same age as we were, some had lost an arm or a leg, yet they remained optimistic, always finding joy in hardship. Their courage inspired our medical team to devote ourselves even more to their care, as we felt that serving the wounded soldiers was, in its own way, a contribution to Viet Nam’s resistance effort.

Timothée Rousselin (France):

The Vietnamese are kind and hospitable

I have lived in Viet Nam for six years. From my very first days here, what struck me most was the kindness and hospitality of the Vietnamese people. I was genuinely amazed to discover how much beauty this country holds: poetic landscapes, a rich culture, profound history, refined cuisine, and, above all, wonderful people.

In Viet Nam, I can clearly feel that community values are deeply cherished. Family, homeland, and the people around you always come first.

Timothée Rousselin (France). (Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee)

During my years in Viet Nam, one day that always moves me deeply is April 30. To me, this day is not only a historic milestone of Viet Nam, the day of national reunification, but also a powerful symbol of freedom, reconciliation, development, and hope for the future. What touches me most is that Vietnamese people do not live in hatred; instead, they remember the past with pride and gratitude. It is a message of peace and unity that many other places in the world could learn from.

Frank Howard Joyce, Head of the Delegation of the National Council on Aging (USA):

Viet Nam: A lesson in peace

In the 1960s, when I was in my twenties, I joined the movement opposing the war in Viet Nam. Around 1966, I refused to be drafted into the military. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, I took part in many protests and anti-war activities.

Frank Howard Joyce, Head of the Delegation of the National Council on Aging (USA). (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In April 1970, I was a member of a peace delegation that visited Hanoi and its surrounding areas, where we met many Vietnamese people and witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of the war. One of the goals of that trip was to return to the United States and share the true stories of what was happening in the war - stories that were not accurately represented in the American media at that time.

I still remember the days of April 1975, when we poured into the streets to celebrate. We were proud of the Vietnamese people, and we were also proud of our own efforts as anti-war activists who had stood for peace.

In April 2025, I had the privilege of returning to Viet Nam once again. This was my fifth visit. Each time I come back, I am amazed by the country’s remarkable progress, resilience, and vibrant spirit.

From the very beginning of my involvement, I have always felt welcomed here as an American citizen, and that feeling remains unchanged today. I see more and more American visitors coming to Viet Nam, and it is clear that they, too, feel this warm hospitality. Experiencing the spirit of peace in Viet Nam always moves me deeply and fills me with renewed energy. Every visit brings new lessons from the Vietnamese people - lessons about peace and about how to build it.

Joel Schwartz, Labor Activist, Member of the Delegation of the Fund for Reconciliation and Development (USA):

The spirit of the Vietnamese people inspires the world

I first began learning about Viet Nam when I was 17 years old. Since then, I have studied the history of the Vietnamese people’s struggle and participated in the movement opposing the war in Viet Nam. Now, at 73, those memories remain vivid in my mind.

Joel Schwartz, Labor Activist, Member of the Delegation of the Fund for Reconciliation and Development (USA). (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

The courageous struggle of the Vietnamese people has been a profound source of inspiration for me. The Vietnamese showed the world that a nation can endure hardship and conflict while preserving its noble human qualities. War, no matter who wages it, always brings destruction. Yet the Vietnamese have not forgotten their past, nor do they live in it. That, to me, is a truly powerful lesson.

Now, I live on Staten Island, New York, where there is a Palestinian community we work to support. They also draw inspiration from Viet Nam. For them, the spirit of the Vietnamese people serves as a powerful motivation in their own struggle. The perseverance of the Vietnamese continues to inspire people around the world, and I believe that spirit will continue to live on into the future.

Myrna V. Pagán - Artist, Human Rights Activist, Member of the Delegation of the National Council on Aging (USA):

Viet Nam: youthful, modern, and always moving forward

The most impressive image I carry from my visit to Viet Nam is of children by the roadside forming heart shapes with their hands as our bus passed by. Their eyes and smiles were so pure. In them, I saw a bright future, not only for Viet Nam but for the entire world.

Myrna V. Pagán (center), Artist, Human Rights Activist, Member of the Delegation of the National Council on Aging (USA). (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

That moment made me reflect: in a world full of uncertainty, where many children are cautious around strangers, Vietnamese children warmly welcome you, they want to shake hands, take photos, and connect.

When I heard the number of those who had sacrificed their lives during the war, my heart tightened. Yet the Vietnamese people have overcome loss and nurtured a new generation as beautiful as lotus flowers. I recently learned that the lotus is Viet Nam’s national flower, and it makes perfect sense, for the Vietnamese themselves are like lotuses: pure, resilient, and full of life.

I hope one day to return to Viet Nam and bring my grandchildren to meet the wonderful children here. I am now in my later years, but the future belongs to the young - the future of our two nations. I feel truly happy to have set foot in Viet Nam. I wish I could stay longer and learn Vietnamese to communicate better. But even without words, I feel my heart is already speaking to you.

On April 17, 2025, we met with the President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and learned about your country’s latest developments. I realized that our two nations have long been separated not only by geography but also by invisible walls of media and prejudice. That is why seeing and feeling life here with my own eyes has been such a precious experience. From every person I met, I felt a deep sense of dedication, resilience, and hope for the future. That is the most powerful message I will take with me.

Petr Tsvetov, First Vice President of the Russia-Viet Nam Friendship Association:

Viet Nam has a presence everywhere in the world

In early September 2025, I had the opportunity to return to Viet Nam - a country where I once lived and worked for many years. The short journey from the airport to the hotel was enough for me to see how much has changed, a clear sign of Viet Nam’s rapid growth and steady progress toward new heights.

I still remember my first trip to Viet Nam in 1977, when the country was facing great hardship. People then used ration coupons to buy rice, meat, and fish, and only in small amounts. At Dong Xuan market, there were mostly bananas and very few other fruits or goods. Today, when I look around, joy fills my heart. Hanoi has changed tremendously: every supermarket and market overflows with products, from agricultural goods to electronic devices. I often tell my students, “Just open your phone, and you’ll see the words Made in Viet Nam.” That means Vietnamese products have made their way all around the world - a clear sign of the nation’s growing stature.

Today, Viet Nam is steadily mastering high technology and showing great dynamism and creativity in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. I am particularly impressed by the country’s GDP growth during the 1990s and 2000s and its booming foreign trade - proof that the international community increasingly values cooperation with Viet Nam.

Kaneya Manabu, Former Chief of Police, Saitama Prefecture, Japan:

Viet Nam is a land of smiles

Vietnamese people always wear friendly, warm, and affectionate smiles. I see people smiling everywhere, even in difficult circumstances or during hard work. The sense of closeness between people is strong, even in workplaces. Everyone cares for and shares with each other openly.

Kaneya Manabu, Former Chief of Police, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. (Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee)

For many Vietnamese, happiness does not come from having a high-paying job or great wealth; it comes from having a loving, harmonious family. When I ask people how they envision their lives in old age, most say they have children and relatives who will take care of them, so they have no worries. The people here are truly affectionate and compassionate.

In some developed countries, many people take their own lives because of work-related stress. But in Viet Nam, if work becomes too difficult, people may choose to quit; they rarely think of ending their lives. That reflects a deep respect for oneself and an understanding that one’s life is the most important thing.

In Vietnamese families, if a parent or child falls ill, people can take time off work to care for their loved ones, and colleagues or superiors find that perfectly normal. No one complains; instead, they often send kind wishes or even offer extra days off. This sense of humanity and compassion has touched me deeply.

Vietnamese workplaces also have the habit of taking a short nap at midday. I think more places should adopt this practice. Even a 5-10 minute nap can greatly improve productivity and reduce stress.

I wish to start a family of my own and live happily with them here in Viet Nam.

Promoting the Strength of People-to-People Diplomacy in the New Context President Ho Chi Minh once said, “The strength, greatness, and endurance of the Vietnamese people fundamentally lie in the unity of the Vietnamese people and ...

Initiatives to Extend the Circle of Friendship What should we do in the future to nurture and strengthen the bonds of friendship between the people of Viet Nam and the peoples of ...