On July 28 in Hanoi, the Viet Nam-Sri Lanka Friendship Association (the Association) held its Second National Congress for the 2026-2031 term. Phan Anh Son, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), attended and delivered a keynote address.

Also in attendance were Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van; Sri Lankan Ambassador to Viet Nam Poshitha Perera; representatives of ministries, sectors, organizations, and businesses; as well as members of the Association's Standing Committee, Executive Committee, and general membership.

The Congress elected a 35-member Executive Committee and a three-member Inspection Committee for the 2026-2031 term. Associate Professor Dr. Pham Van Linh, former Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council and President of the Association for the 2014-2026 term, was re-elected as President of the Association.

The Second National Congress of the Viet Nam-Sri Lanka Friendship Association for the 2026-2031 term. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Translating people-to-people cooperation into concrete programs

According to the report presented at the Congress, during the 2026-2031 term, the Association will capitalize on the opportunities created by the elevation of Viet Nam-Sri Lanka relations to a Comprehensive Partnership to strengthen exchanges among organizations, mass organizations, and the peoples of the two countries. It will also promote cooperation in culture, education, agriculture, trade, tourism, and other fields with considerable untapped potential.

The Association also aims to expand its relations with organizations and partners in Sri Lanka and the broader South Asian region, participate in multilateral cooperation programs and regional forums, and diversify exchanges in culture and the arts, education and training, religion, and social affairs.

In the economic sphere, the Association will support Vietnamese businesses in exploring and expanding the Sri Lankan market while strengthening investment, trade, and agricultural cooperation, contributing to the goal of raising bilateral trade turnover to nearly USD 1 billion. It will also coordinate the provision of information, facilitate partner matching, and seek solutions to reduce obstacles related to infrastructure, transportation, legal procedures, and trade costs.

The Association will continue to innovate its organizational management and resource development. It will strengthen staff capacity, make effective use of its budget and other lawful resources, and maintain information exchanges with foreign affairs agencies and people-to-people organizations in both Viet Nam and Sri Lanka. Annual action plans will clearly define priority tasks, resource allocation, and implementation targets.

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

Addressing the Congress, Phan Anh Son, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, noted that the event took place at a particularly meaningful moment in bilateral relations. July 2026 marks the 56th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka. Bilateral ties have recently been elevated to a Comprehensive Partnership, with education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges identified as one of its four pillars of cooperation.

He acknowledged the efforts of the Association's First-Term Executive Committee in maintaining its operations and organizing the Second National Congress despite challenges posed by geographical distance, a limited partner network, and resource constraints.

Regarding future priorities, Phan Anh Son proposed that the Association conduct research and compile materials documenting Viet Nam-Sri Lanka relations from 1970 to the present, with a focus on highlighting the foundations of the close bonds between the peoples of the two countries. The materials should reflect the solidarity and support extended by the people of Sri Lanka to Viet Nam during its struggle for national independence and reunification, as well as throughout its nation-building and development process. They should also underscore the shared cultural and religious values of the two countries, with Buddhism serving as an important bond between their peoples.

He also called on the Association to develop specific cooperation plans with key partners in Sri Lanka, beginning with the Sri Lanka Solidarity Association, the Sri Lanka-Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Group, and the Friendship Foundation of the Sri Lanka Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), while clearly defining the scope of cooperation with each partner on an annual basis.

Phan Anh Son also encouraged the Association to capitalize on the strengths of Buddhist exchanges linked with tourism by connecting programs for the exchange of monks and nuns, Buddhist education and training, and visits by Sri Lankan religious dignitaries with people-to-people friendship activities. Through these efforts, Buddhist clergy and religious leaders from both countries can help introduce and promote information about Viet Nam-Sri Lanka relations within their respective communities.

He also called on the Association to strengthen engagement with the Vietnamese community in Sri Lanka, creating favorable conditions for community members to access information, participate in friendship activities, and contribute to expanding people-to-people networks. He suggested that, when appropriate, the Association consider inviting representatives of the Vietnamese community to participate in its activities or serve on its Executive Committee.

As immediate priorities, the President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations proposed that the Association undertake three specific initiatives: coordinate local visits for the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Viet Nam with the aim of establishing partnerships between a Vietnamese locality and a Sri Lankan locality; organize business networking events between enterprises from the two countries to explore trade and investment opportunities; and promote cooperation between a Vietnamese university and a Sri Lankan university.

According to him, programs with clearly identified partners, focal points, and implementation plans would enable the Association to make practical contributions to the education, culture, and people-to-people exchange pillar of the Viet Nam-Sri Lanka Comprehensive Partnership.

Direct flights enhance connectivity

Congratulating the Congress, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Viet Nam Poshitha Perera affirmed that Sri Lanka has always regarded Viet Nam as a trusted friend. He recalled Sri Lanka's official recognition of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam in 1970, describing it as a demonstration of the country's steadfast commitment to the principles of sovereignty, independence, and the dignity of every nation.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Viet Nam Poshitha Perera delivers congratulatory remarks at the Congress. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

According to the Ambassador, Viet Nam-Sri Lanka friendship has entered a new chapter following the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Partnership. The new framework creates opportunities for cooperation in political dialogue, trade and investment, education, science and technology, agriculture, maritime affairs, tourism, defense, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people connectivity.

The Ambassador highlighted that both Vietnam Airlines and VietJet will begin operating direct flights between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka from August 2026. He described these routes as “bridges connecting the peoples, businesses, educational institutions, tourists, and cultures of our two countries.”

Phan Anh Son, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, and Sri Lankan Ambassador to Viet Nam Poshitha Perera congratulate the leadership of the Viet Nam-Sri Lanka Friendship Association for the 2026-2031 term. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

He noted that direct air connectivity would promote two-way tourism, facilitate trade and investment, expand educational cooperation, strengthen ties between the business communities, and deepen people-to-people exchanges.

Describing the Viet Nam-Sri Lanka Friendship Association as a trusted partner of the Embassy, Ambassador Poshitha Perera expressed confidence that the Association's leadership for the 2026-2031 term would continue to enhance mutual understanding and trust while creating new opportunities for cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of both countries.

Delegates and members of the Executive Committee of the Viet Nam-Sri Lanka Friendship Association pose for a commemorative photograph. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

On this occasion, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son presented Certificates of Merit from the Union to Venerable Thich Duc Thien, Vice President and Secretary General of the Executive Council of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha and Vice President of the Association; and To Hoai Nam, Standing Vice President and Secretary General of the Viet Nam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises and Vice President of the Association, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Association's activities during the 2014-2026 period.

Vietnam-Sri Lanka Friendship Association Extends Congratulations on 78th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence Day On February 3 in Hanoi, a delegation of the Vietnam-Sri Lanka Friendship Association, led by its President Pham Van Linh, paid a visit to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Vietnam to extend congratulations on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the Independence Day of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (February 4, 1948 - February 4, 2026).

Vietnam, Sri Lanka Upgrade Ties to Comprehensive Partnership The two sides committed to further strengthening friendship and cooperation, deepening political trust at a high level, and expanding collaboration in a more comprehensive and substantive manner across all sectors.