Nghe An Union of Friendship Organizations: Innovating External Communication
	Part 1: Humanitarian Legacy Paves Way for Future

The event was attended by Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Dong Huy Cuong; US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper; representatives of the Hanoi People’s Committee; leaders of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations and various municipal departments and agencies; Vietnam-US friendship associations from several localities; research institutes, universities, and businesses from both countries; non-governmental organizations; American individuals and families living in Hanoi; scholars, intellectuals, and individuals connected with the United States; as well as students, local residents, and tourists.

The Vietnam-US Friendship Festival attracts a large number of delegates, international guests, and residents of the capital city. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Delivering the opening remarks, Dong Huy Cuong stated that Vietnam-US relations are among the most distinctive diplomatic ties, marked by deep historical connections, ups and downs, and difficulties, yet have become a model of reconciliation between nations. With the announcement of normalization and the establishment of diplomatic relations on July 12, 1995, by US President Bill Clinton and Vietnamese Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet, and with the great and tireless efforts of the leaders and peoples of both countries, along with the goodwill of “leaving the past behind, overcoming differences, promoting commonalities, and looking toward the future,” Vietnam-US relations have made remarkable progress across all fields, becoming a Comprehensive Partnership in July 2013 and a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development on September 10, 2023.

Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Dong Huy Cuong delivers the opening remarks at the Vietnam-US Friendship Exchange Program. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

He affirmed that the Vietnamese people always cherish and remember the valuable support of American friends, including veterans and their families, US charitable and humanitarian organizations, US non-governmental organizations, and individuals who, through goodwill and trust, have empathized, understood, and dared to make sacrifices, rising above themselves, setting aside the painful past to look toward a future of friendship and cooperation. They have made important contributions to healing the wounds of war and to Vietnam’s socio-economic development, integration, and progress.

The Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and its member associations, including the Vietnam-USA Society at both central and local levels, are proud to be an important part of the process of reconciliation, overcoming war consequences, and fostering Vietnam-US relations in general, and people-to-people ties in particular. The Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-USA Society have worked with US partners to organize numerous friendship exchange activities, helping build trust, narrow differences, strengthen mutual understanding, and make the friendship between the two peoples a solid foundation for Vietnam-US relations.

US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper speaks at the Vietnam-US Friendship Festival. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Ambassador Marc E. Knapper noted that the festival is a testament to the development, dynamism, and partnership between the two countries. The event honors the courage of individuals in both nations who overcame post-war legacies, rebuilt trust and mutual understanding, and contributed to advancing bilateral relations to their current heights. The event also looks toward the future, as both sides honor and inspire young people who will carry this relationship forward over the next three decades.

The Ambassador stressed that US businesses have been and continue to be indispensable in supporting these goals. The two sides are cooperating to promote education, health, economic prosperity, security, and many other fields.

On this occasion, Ambassador Marc E. Knapper extended his sympathies to the northern and central provinces of Vietnam affected by recent storms and tropical depressions. He stated that the US has provided USD 1 million to support disaster response efforts, raising total humanitarian and disaster relief assistance to Vietnam to more than USD 100 million. He affirmed that mutual support in times of hardship is an important part of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.

The program featured a variety of activities: cultural and sports exchanges, traditional folk games of both countries; visits to cultural and culinary booths showcasing the achievements of bilateral diplomatic relations; and introductions to Hanoi, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-USA Society, the US Mission to Vietnam, US non-governmental organizations, and Vietnam-US businesses. The program aimed to honor the diversity of cultures and the friendship between the Vietnamese and American peoples, educate younger generations about Vietnam-US people-to-people relations, enhance mutual understanding, and promote people-to-people exchanges in the future.

A performance at the Vietnam-US Friendship Festival. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

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