The Vietnam – US Society recently hosted the Workshop on “Vietnam – US people-to-people exchange in the 5 years of comprehensive partnership (2013 – 2018)”.

The workshop is part of the one-week celebration of 73 years of establishment of the Vietnamese – American Friendship Association (precursor to the Vietnam – US Society) (October 17^th, 1945-2018).

The workshop on “Vietnam – US people-to-people exchange in the 5 years of comprehensive partnership”(PY)

The Workshop was attended by Former President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), Vu Xuan Hong; Ambassador, President of the Vietnam - US Society (VUS), Nguyen Tam Chien; Ambassador, Vice President of the Vietnam Peace Committee Mr. Nguyen Van Huynh.

President of VUS Nguyen Tam Chien kicked off the workshop by briefing on some recent VUS’s milestones. Remarkably, VUFO and VUS’s people-to-people diplomacy scale has witnessed notable expansion over the past 5 years. 95 US delegations of over 800 members from different social classes and professions visited Vietnam in this period.

VUS also places a focus on the persity of formats of people-to-people exchange. Activities of exchange are conducted in art expeditions, book launching events, education cooperation, homestay exchanges, publications, etc.

President of VUS Mr. Nguyen Tam Chien chaired the Workshop.(PY)

Diversification of contents of exchange is another priority of VUS in this period. Its coverage is expanded over the post-war relief, healthcare, poverty and hunger eradication, martyr exchange.

Thanks to the US’s active collaboration, Vietnam has identified 1500 set of martyrs' remains.

US Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are also active in Vietnam in numerous fields, reaching 300 so far. In the past 5 years VUS has mobilized for the total humanitarian aid of USD 1 million for Vietnam.

The above achievements significantly contribute to the improved mutual understanding, the facilitation of reconciliation and normalization, and advancing to the comprehensive partnership of the two countries, Chien said.

Chien also outlined VUS’s motto for the coming period, which is to be “Active, flexible, creative, and effective”. Contents and formats of people-to-people diplomacy shall be updated. Socialization and mobilization of private forces shall be put an emphasis on in the next period, he said.

Noted by Former President of VUFO, Vu Xuan Hong, the Vietnam – US relation has now advanced to a new stage of development with both challenges and opportunities for VUS. In response, hence, VUS is necessitated to define its missions, partners, objectives and contents of activities.

VUS also needs to expand its connection with and impact on the Vietnam – US diplomacy using communications and media. In the Industrial Revolution 4.0, online platforms such as social networks and digital editions would be a complement to the current print editions of VUS in preserving and promoting its role as the bridge of Vietnam – US people-to-people connection./.

( Translated by Hong Anh )