Strides in Vietnam – US relations
	Promoting People-to-people Diplomacy between Vietnam – US

These remarks were made by US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper on December 1, during the first Congress of the Vietnam–US Friendship Association in Thanh Hoa for the 2024–2029 term.

The first Congress of the Vietnam - US Friendship Association in Thanh Hoa. (Photo: Thanh Hoa Newspaper)

According to the report presented at the Congress, the Vietnam–US Friendship Association in Thanh Hoa was officially established on September 19, 2024. It is a voluntary social organization operating under a charter approved by the Chairman of the Thanh Hoa People’s Committee. The Association adheres to legal regulations and is under the state management of the Department of Foreign Affairs and other relevant provincial departments. It has independent legal status, its seal, and a separate account. The Association is autonomous in terms of funding, office space, and operational resources.

The Association operates within Thanh Hoa Province, focusing on fostering solidarity, friendship, and mutual understanding between the peoples of Vietnam and the US. It seeks to garner the support of the American public for Vietnam's cause of national construction and defense while serving as a bridge for cooperation in fields such as economy, trade, science and technology, education and training, and socio-cultural exchanges.

The Congress outlined the strategic objectives and tasks for the 2024–2029 term. The Association aims to intensify people-to-people diplomacy efforts with practical and effective measures, safeguarding its members' legitimate rights and interests. It plans to strengthen and expand its organizational structure while innovating the content, methods, and formats of its activities. Additionally, it will actively promote the guidelines and policies of the Party, the State, and Thanh Hoa Province concerning socio-economic development and ensure national defense and security.

The Executive Committee of the Vietnam - US Friendship Association in Thanh Hoa, term 2024-2029, was introduced to the Congress. (Photo: Thanh Hoa Newspaper)

The Association will also promote information about Party and State policies on Vietnam–US solidarity and friendship to all sectors of the local population, particularly the youth, students, and pupils. The Association will undertake activities to link provincial agencies, organizations, businesses, and localities with their American counterparts, emphasizing collaboration in education, healthcare, and science and technology.

The Congress elected a 19-member Executive Committee for the 2024–2029 term. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Viet Bau, Chairman of the Council of Hong Duc University in Thanh Hoa, was elected as the President of the Association for this term.

In his address, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Thanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Thi noted that the establishment of the Association is timely and highly relevant, especially as Vietnam and the US have recently upgraded their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Cooperation, and Sustainable Development.

Over the years, Thanh Hoa Province has actively engaged in cooperative activities with the US across multiple sectors. Since 2011, the province has welcomed 22 US Embassy delegations for visits and working sessions. It has implemented US-funded non-governmental projects worth over US $6 million and collaborated with numerous US investors and businesses exploring investment opportunities in the province. Additionally, the province has maintained close cooperation in education and training, and joint efforts in locating US military personnel missing during the war.

Nguyen Van Thi expressed his hope that the Association would deeply understand and implement the Party’s and the State’s policies on people-to-people diplomacy, closely following the directions of the Vietnam–US Society, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, and the Thanh Hoa Union of Friendship Organizations. The Association is expected to design effective and practical programs and activities that build mutual understanding and trust between the two countries and their localities.

He further urged the Association to strengthen its role as a bridge fostering investment, trade, tourism, cultural exchange, education, healthcare, science and technology, and non-governmental aid between Thanh Hoa and US partners. He also emphasized the importance of identifying and introducing credible and reliable US partners to local entities.

Regarding organizational development, he suggested practical solutions to expand the Association’s membership network, especially by connecting with individuals who have studied or worked in the US and possess extensive knowledge of the country’s culture and society.

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