Melissa A. Brown: Hopes to Open Up New Prospects for Cooperation
	Strengthening Vietnam-US Relations through the Friendship Festival in Can Tho

Addressing the ceremony, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son recalled that 80 years ago, right after Vietnam gained independence, President Ho Chi Minh directed the establishment of the Vietnam-America Friendship Association with a sincere aspiration: to continue the cooperation between two peoples who once stood together in the ranks of the Allies, for the sake of peace and progress.

President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son delivers a speech at the anniversary ceremony. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In the early 1990s, the Vietnam-USA Society was reorganized on the foundation of the original Vietnam-America Friendship Association and the Vietnam Committee for Solidarity with the American People, becoming a member of VUFO. Together with hundreds of US partners through the people-to-people channel, the Society helped build momentum for the landmark event of 1995 - the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States.

Since then, VUFO and the Vietnam-USA Society have jointly organized thousands of people-to-people exchange activities, welcoming delegations of US parliamentarians, veterans, scholars, businesses, and young people to Vietnam; and cooperating in cultural, educational, humanitarian, and scientific programs, as well as in war consequence remediation efforts. All of these activities have aimed to build trust, narrow differences, connect hearts, and make the friendship between the two peoples a solid foundation for Vietnam-US relations.

President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son (far right) presents flowers to congratulate the Vietnam-USA Society. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

VUFO President Phan Anh Son expressed his hope that the Vietnam-USA Society will continue to play its core role, actively align its activities with the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and promote people-to-people exchanges to turn understanding and empathy into strategic trust. He also urged the Society to broaden its network of friends and areas of cooperation, not only in humanitarian assistance and war legacy remediation but also in education, culture, science, innovation, trade, environment, and sustainable development.

VUFO President recalled General Secretary To Lam’s affirmation regarding Vietnam-US relations: “Over the past thirty years, we have jointly created a model in international relations.” He emphasized that this is a powerful message to the world, that sincerity, tolerance, and the aspiration for peace can transform confrontation into cooperation, pain into trust, and former adversaries into partners within a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, President of the Vietnam-USA Society, delivers a speech at the anniversary ceremony. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, President of the Vietnam-USA Society, highlighted that this year’s celebration of the Association’s founding also coincides with the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s independence and the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-US diplomatic relations, making the occasion all the more meaningful.

He noted that many new opportunities are opening up for both countries, such as expanding cooperation in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, and green transition. At the same time, it is important to enhance the effectiveness of ongoing areas of cooperation, including the economy, education, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, war legacy remediation, and regional and global collaboration.

The Ambassador also acknowledged that new and emerging challenges require both sides to engage in dialogue and work toward solutions in a spirit of cooperation, understanding, and mutual benefit. He affirmed that the Vietnam-USA Society will continue striving to fulfill its mission, contributing effectively to people-to-people diplomacy and to the development of bilateral relations.

The concert “Melodies across Vietnam and the US” held as part of the anniversary celebration. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

As part of the celebration, audiences enjoyed a special concert titled “Connecting Vietnam-US Melodies.” The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra from the United States, conducted by Maestro Austin Chance, performed classical masterpieces such as “The Blue Danube” by Johann Strauss II, “Titanic Suite” by James Horner, “In a Persian Market” by Albert Ketèlbey, “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin, and “Fanfare for the Common Man” by Aaron Copland.

The program also featured Vietnamese artists, including singer Tung Duong, conductor Duong Duc Hai, and clarinetist Tran Khanh Quang, creating a vibrant blend of artistic collaboration and cultural dialogue.

Vice President of the Vietnam-USA Society Nguyen Hai Giang. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) According to Vice President of the Vietnam-USA Society Nguyen Hai Giang, the symphony concert “Melodies across Vietnam and the US” was part of a series of activities commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Association’s founding and the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States. He noted that this was the first time Vietnam welcomed a 75-member orchestra from the United States, led by one of America’s renowned conductors. “Music,” he emphasized, “is a powerful bridge connecting people and nations.” The concert introduced audiences to both American classical and cinematic works, enriching cultural exchange between the two peoples. Vice President Nguyen Hai Giang added that the Association’s cooperative initiatives have been shaped by the contributions of its members and the public, all with the goal of promoting substantive and effective development in Vietnam-US relations. In the time ahead, the Vietnam-USA Society will continue to implement creative projects in the fields of culture and education. The Association is currently working on plans to introduce and publish works by American authors in Vietnam, further deepening mutual understanding between the peoples of the two nations.

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