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| Politburo Member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and Central Mass Organizations, Chairwoman of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Pham Thi Minh Hoai, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, presented the First-Class Labour Order to the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Celebrates 75th Anniversary ofTraditional Day and Patriotic Emulation Congress for 2025-2030 Period |
| On 17 November in Hanoi, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations solemnly celebrated the 75th Anniversary of its Traditional Day and convened the Patriotic Emulation Congress for the 2025–2030 period, while also proudly receiving the First-Class Labour Order. |
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The ceremony was attended by 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, Chairwoman of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front; and Bui Thanh Son, Member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Prime Minister. Also present were members of the Party Central Committee; representatives of the leadership of central Party commissions, ministries, and national-level agencies; leaders from provinces and cities; Ambassadors, Chargés d’Affaires, and representatives of embassies; representatives of United Nations agencies, international organizations, and foreign non-governmental organizations in Viet Nam; leaders, officials, and staff of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and its member organizations at the central and local levels across different periods; and a large number of domestic and international partners and friends. The Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations was honored to receive a congratulatory flower arrangement from General Secretary To Lam. Politburo Member, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the National Assembly, and Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Do Van Chien; Member of the Party Central Committee and Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan; Member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung; Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung; Member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly, and President of the Viet Nam-Cambodia Friendship Association Nguyen Thi Thanh; former Member of the Party Central Committee, former Vice President, and former President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Thi Binh, along with leaders of central agencies, ministries, localities, friends, and partners, also sent flowers and congratulatory messages. |
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The Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations proudly receives a congratulatory flower arrangement from General Secretary To Lam. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
75 Years of Building Bridges of Friendship |
| In his commemorative address, Phan Anh Son, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, recalled the early days of the nation’s founding, when President Ho Chi Minh, with his sharp political vision, aspiration for peace, and humanistic diplomatic philosophy, together with his profound understanding of the strength of international solidarity, mutual understanding, and cooperation among nations, directed the establishment of the first people-to-people diplomacy organizations: the Viet Nam-US Friendship Association (17 October 1945), the Viet Nam-China Friendship Association (22 March 1950), the Viet Nam-Soviet Friendship Association (23 May 1950), and the Viet Nam Committee for the Protection of World Peace (19 November 1950). These milestones marked the emergence of a unique diplomatic approach-flexible yet persistent, quiet yet profound: people-to-people diplomacy. In 2008, the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee approved 17 November 1950, the date President Ho Chi Minh sent a letter to the inaugural congress of the Viet Nam Committee for the Protection of World Peace, as the Traditional Day of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations. |
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President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son delivers the commemorative speech marking the 75th Anniversary of the Traditional Day and summarizing the patriotic emulation movement for the 2020-2025 period. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
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During the war, people-to-people diplomacy achieved glorious accomplishments, contributing to the formation of a broad front of solidarity across five continents. Millions of letters, poems, photographs, marches, and anti-war movements in many countries became vivid evidence of humanity rising above hatred, affirming that Viet Nam was never alone and had become a symbol of justice, courage, and the aspiration for peace. After 1975, in the context of a devastated country under blockade and embargo, people-to-people diplomacy, together with Party diplomacy and State diplomacy, “took the lead and opened the way,” helping to break isolation, reconnect bridges severed by war, build trust, and mobilize international support to overcome the consequences of war, rebuild the country, and stabilize and develop the socio-economic landscape. Entering the period of renewal and deep integration, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and its member organizations not only contributed to bringing Viet Nam “out to the world” but also brought the world to each locality and community. With a network of thousands of partners across continents, thousands of activities on peace, solidarity, and friendship are organized every year with wide-reaching impact. The Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations has affirmed its active role at many regional and international forums; effectively fulfilled its function as a focal point for relations and aid mobilization; and made significant contributions to poverty reduction, social welfare, healthcare, education, environmental protection, post-war recovery, and responses to natural disasters and epidemics. Efforts in research, external information, and work related to overseas Vietnamese have been strengthened, contributing to promoting the image of the country and people of Viet Nam and enhancing understanding and mutual trust among nations. |
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President Phan Anh Son affirmed that the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and its member organizations not only contributed to bringing Viet Nam “out to the world” but also brought the world to each locality and community. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
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Inspired by President Ho Chi Minh’s teaching that “Emulation is patriotism; those who love their country must emulate; and those who emulate are the most patriotic,” the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations has always regarded emulation as a driving force for innovation and a measure of dedication. It actively responds to emulation movements launched by the Prime Minister and the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, while also initiating its own emulation campaigns aligned with its political missions. Many exemplary collectives and individuals with outstanding models and creative approaches have emerged, contributing to improving the overall quality of the system’s operations. Commendation work has been conducted substantively, with strict and timely procedures, helping motivate international friends, partners, and those directly engaged in people-to-people diplomacy. The Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations has been honored to receive many noble distinctions from the Party, the State, and international friends (including two Ho Chi Minh Orders and one First-Class Labour Order). Phan Anh Son emphasized that these achievements were made possible thanks to the strategic and correct guidance of President Ho Chi Minh and successive generations of the Party and State leadership; the support and effective coordination of Party commissions, ministries, sectors, and localities; and, above all, the enduring and quiet dedication of generations of officials engaged in people-to-people diplomacy. He expressed his gratitude to generations of officials working in people-to-people diplomacy, people’s movements, friends and peace-loving individuals around the world; people’s organizations; war veterans who returned to Viet Nam to help heal the wounds of war; and partners and foreign non-governmental organizations that stood steadfastly with Viet Nam during its most difficult times. |
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Delegates listen to the commemorative address. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
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According to Phan Anh Son, in a world undergoing profound and epoch-making transformations that pose numerous new challenges, people-to-people diplomacy - the closest and most enduring diplomatic channel, must further promote its role as a trusted bridge and the sincere voice of the people of Viet Nam to the peoples of the world. The 13th National Party Congress affirmed: “Build a comprehensive and modern diplomacy with three pillars: Party diplomacy, State diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy.” General Secretary To Lam emphasized that advancing external relations and international integration is a key and regular task. “In the time ahead, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations will continue to uphold its traditions, renew its thinking, its content, and its methods of operation; build and consolidate its organizational apparatus toward greater unity and effectiveness; and train a contingent of cadres with political courage, ethics, and competence to meet the new requirements of the work. It will also strengthen and expand its network of friends, partners, and areas of cooperation,” Phan Anh Son emphasized. |
5 Key Tasks in The New Period |
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Delivering her directive speech at the Ceremony, Bui Thi Minh Hoai congratulated and commended generations of leaders, officials, public employees, workers, and those engaged in people-to-people diplomacy of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for their proud achievements over the past 75 years. She also expressed gratitude to generations of international friends and partners for their support and valuable solidarity with Viet Nam throughout its journey of struggle, nation-building, and national defense. She stated that, amid the increasingly complex global developments and the country’s requirements in the era of national rise - an era of building a prosperous, strong, civilized, and happy nation - organizations engaged in people-to-people diplomacy under the Viet Nam Fatherland Front in general, and the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and its member organizations in particular, must undergo transformation, breakthroughs, and stronger innovation to be worthy of the traditions of their predecessors and to maintain their core role in the people-to-people diplomacy pillar, one of the three pillars of Viet Nam’s comprehensive and modern diplomacy. |
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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 Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Bui Thi Minh Hoai delivers her directive remarks at the Ceremony. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
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On this basis, she requested that the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations focus on five key task groups: First, thoroughly grasp the Party’s viewpoints, guidelines, vision, and strategic thinking regarding the goals and missions of the new era of national development to become a developed, high-income country advancing firmly toward socialism. People-to-people diplomacy must place itself within the overall flow of the nation and serve the cause of safeguarding, building, and developing a strong, prosperous, civilized, and happy Viet Nam. Second, advise the Party, the State, and the Viet Nam Fatherland Front in bringing about a deep transformation in the awareness of people-to-people diplomacy. It is essential to ensure clear and unified understanding among diplomatic officials and across all levels and sectors regarding the role, position, and relationship between Party diplomacy, State diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy. People-to-people diplomacy must leverage its strengths, tightly linking “the Party’s will with the people’s hearts,” and connecting “the great national unity bloc with noble international solidarity.” It must contribute significantly - together with Party diplomacy and State diplomacy - to continuing to “combine the multi-layered strengths of the nation with the strengths of the times” to build “a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic, and strong Viet Nam, contributing responsibly to the global revolutionary cause,” as recently directed by General Secretary To Lam. Third, coordinate closely and harmoniously with Party diplomacy and State diplomacy in advising the Party and the State on developing and effectively implementing diplomatic guidelines, strategies, and plans, including those related to people-to-people diplomacy. It must further promote its core and specialized role in advising the Viet Nam Fatherland Front on mobilizing all forces engaged in people-to-people diplomacy nationwide, forming a broad, truly effective people-to-people diplomatic front. People-to-people diplomacy must not be delegated entirely to friendship associations; rather, it must be viewed as a responsibility of the entire political system, Party committees at all levels, and all class of people. |
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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 Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, outlines five key task groups for the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations in the new period. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
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Fourth, further innovate the content and methods, and improve the quality and effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy activities. People-to-people diplomacy must reflect the voices of all strata of society. Therefore, activities should be brought to the grassroots; the participation of all sectors and groups, especially youth, students, and pupils, must be emphasized. People-to-people diplomacy should be diverse in implementing entities, partners, fields of cooperation, content, and methods, without rigid procedural or ceremonial constraints. It must be “proactive, adaptive, breakthrough-driven, creative, practical, and effective.” Fifth, the system of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations must achieve breakthroughs: Breakthroughs in leadership, direction, orientation, and implementation of people-to-people diplomacy to ensure effectiveness and efficiency; clear assignment of responsibilities, tasks, deliverables, authority, and accountability; breakthroughs in advancing digital transformation, applying information technology and artificial intelligence to its work; and breakthroughs in building a contingent engaged in people-to-people diplomacy with strong political courage, revolutionary ethics, professional competence, and comprehensive skills to meet increasingly high demands. She also called on central and local Party commissions, ministries, and sectors to continue their attention, coordination, direction, and guidance for the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations in implementing people-to-people diplomacy, and to create maximum conditions within their capacity to ensure activities are organized practically and effectively. |
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VUFO awarded the First-Class Labor Order for its outstanding achievements in people-to-people diplomacy, international solidarity mobilization, and resource mobilization, contributing to Viet Nam’s socio-economic development. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
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At the ceremony, on behalf of the Party and State leadership, 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, presented the First-Class Labor Order to VUFO for its exceptional achievements in people-to-people diplomacy, international solidarity mobilization, and contributions to the country’s socio-economic development. According to the commendation report, as the core institution and specialized agency for people-to-people diplomacy, VUFO has proactively coordinated with the former Central Commission for External Relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee, and relevant bodies in implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, contributing significantly to shaping key orientations and major strategies for building a comprehensive and modern diplomacy grounded in three pillars: Party diplomacy, State diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy. With the motto “proactive, flexible, creative, effective,” VUFO has achieved many notable outcomes: Political and ideological work, cultural development, and discipline-building within VUFO’s Party Organization have been implemented seriously, timely, creatively, and substantively. Organizational development and system-wide guidance have advanced through innovative and effective approaches. VUFO has actively advised, led, and coordinated people-to-people diplomatic activities involving senior leaders of the Party, State, and partner countries during official visits, reflecting the importance placed by Viet Nam’s leadership on this diplomatic pillar. VUFO has renewed its thinking, content, and methods in conducting people-to-people diplomacy and mobilizing foreign NGO aid, contributing to building a positive social foundation for Viet Nam’s international relations and socio-economic development. It has strengthened dialogue, advocacy, and public communication on sensitive issues to protect Viet Nam’s image and interests internationally, while maintaining gratitude toward international friends who have supported Viet Nam. The organization has expanded and diversified partnership networks with peoples, organizations, and individuals with goodwill toward Viet Nam in fields such as economy, trade, education, international relations, science, politics, and people-to-people friendship. It has deepened ties with traditional partners, peace-loving movements, progressive organizations, left-wing groups, neighboring countries, major powers, and strategic and comprehensive partners. VUFO has advanced social mobilization efforts, encouraging broader public participation in external activities. Many member associations have successfully engaged political activists, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, and dedicated retired officials on a voluntary basis. Mobilization of domestic and international resources has been increasingly effective, expanding activities and reducing pressure on the State budget. |
Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Launches Patriotic Emulation Movement for 2025–2030 |
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With the spirit of “proactive adaptation, breakthroughs, creativity, practicality, and effectiveness,” and upholding its 75-year tradition, on behalf of the Presidium of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), Phan Anh Son launched the Patriotic Emulation Movement for the 2025-2030 period across the entire VUFO system. The movement carries the theme: “Solidarity, proactive adaptation, innovation, creativity, emulation to excellently fulfill political tasks, and build a strong, professional, and modern VUFO system.” The launching speech emphasized the following: fully internalizing President Ho Chi Minh’s thought on patriotic emulation; continuing to thoroughly grasp, promote, and effectively implement the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws on emulation and commendation; and actively responding to emulation drives celebrating major national events, including the 14th National Party Congress, the elections of the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils for the 2026-2031 term, the National Congress of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front for 2026–2031, and the VUFO National Congress for 2026-2031. |
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President Phan Anh Son launches the Patriotic Emulation Movement of VUFO for 2025-2030. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
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Continuing to renew its mindset, approaches, content, and methods of organizing emulation movements. The work of emulation and commendation will be closely linked with nationwide campaigns initiated by the Prime Minister and the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee, as well as with efforts to improve the quality and effectiveness of VUFO’s people-to-people diplomacy. Promptly identifying, recognizing, and rewarding exemplary collectives and individuals; intensifying communication; and promoting creative and effective models within patriotic emulation movements and in fulfilling assigned political tasks. At the ceremony, VUFO awarded Certificates of Merit from the Presidium to 13 collectives and 19 exemplary individuals for their outstanding achievements in the 2020–2025 period. At the ceremony, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations awarded Certificates of Merit from the Presidium to 13 collectives and 19 individuals recognized as exemplary performers in the patriotic emulation movement for the 2020-2025 period. |