Peace Boat and Vietnam "Continue Writing the Story of Peace"

On April 30, the 120th voyage of the Peace Boat organization, departing from Yokohama (Japan), will dock at the Ha Long International Cruise Port, Vietnam, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification. Vietnam is the fourth stop on this journey.

VNT writers

April 30, 2025 | 08:08

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On this occasion, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), in coordination with the Peace Boat Organization and two Nobel Peace Prize-winning organizations - the Nihon Hidankyo and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) will organize the exchange program titled "Continue Writing the Story of Peace" to promote the message of peace and Vietnam’s aspiration to preserve and strengthen peace.

The Peace Boat is expected to arrive at the Ha Long International Cruise Port on April 30.

The "Continue Writing the Story of Peace" exchange will feature speakers including Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, former President of VUFO and former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam; Kuramori Terumi, a survivor of the Nagasaki bombing and representative of Nihon Hidankyo; Kawasaki Akira, President of ICAN; and Lee Jae Young, Executive Director of NARPI. Representatives from Nobel Peace Prize-winning organizations and international delegates aboard the Peace Boat will engage in discussions and exchanges with the Vietnamese delegation on the theme of protecting world peace in today's context.

VUFO and the Vietnam Peace Committee (VPC) - a member organization of VUFO have actively participated in the disarmament movement and efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

In response to the signature campaign commemorating the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (1945-2020) initiated by the Hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors in Japan), the VPC carried out numerous meaningful peace education activities between November 2019 and September 2020. Through sharing sessions featuring Hibakusha and victims of Agent Orange at universities, the VPC contributed to raising youth awareness of the devastating consequences of war, chemical, and nuclear weapons. The VPC significantly contributed to collecting signatures for the campaign in Vietnam. In the three signature campaigns previously organized, Vietnam consistently led in the number of signatures collected: 6 million in 1950, 1.5 million in 2016, and 980,000 from November 2019 to September 2020. This demonstrates Vietnam’s strong commitment to peace, security, and international cooperation, while also reflecting the country's deep concern with addressing the consequences of war, particularly those involving Agent Orange/dioxin.

Additionally, for many years, VPC representatives have attended and made important contributions at sessions of the World Conference Against A and H Bombs held in Japan. Organized by the Japan Council Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (GENSUIKYO), this conference condemns the use and threat of nuclear weapons, commemorates atomic bomb victims, and promotes the international movement for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons.

The program will also feature other highlights, including a presentation by VUFO’s Youth Union about Vietnam’s history, culture, and notable achievements during the country's renewal and integration process; a painting and photo exhibition; and tours and cultural experiences in Ha Long City. This will be a valuable opportunity for international friends to gain deeper insight into the Vietnamese people, culture, history, and the achievements made over nearly 40 years of the Doi Moi (Renewal) process.

This voyage is also part of the Peace Boat's special project titled "Time for Peace," marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Through meetings and exchange activities, the project aims to amplify the voices of those affected by past and present wars, and to connect individuals and organizations dedicated to building peace and preventing conflicts around the world.

The voyage includes participation from peace experts from countries across the region, members of the Nihon Hidankyo (the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations) - Nobel Peace Prize laureates of 2024, and representatives of ICAN, the Nobel Peace Prize winner of 2017. These two organizations have maintained traditional partnerships with VUFO and have mutually supported peace activities in the region and globally.

The arrival of the Peace Boat at Ha Long International Cruise Port on the significant occasion of April 30 serves as a meaningful moment to spread Vietnam’s aspiration for peace and to promote the image of a peace-loving, friendly, and hospitable country. It also offers Vietnam a valuable opportunity to advance people-to-people diplomacy and to spread messages of friendship, cooperation, and development.

The Peace Boat organization is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Japan, operating with the mission of promoting peace, human rights, and sustainable development. Peace Boat conducts its main activities through a passenger ship that travels on global voyages, organized in cooperation with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Campaign to hold activities both onboard and at visited ports.

Peace Boat organizes three Global Voyages and two East Asia Regional Voyages yearly. The first voyage was launched in 1983. Over 40 years and more than 100 voyages, Peace Boat has visited over 250 ports in more than 80 countries.

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