Tran Quy Nhan, second-year student at National Economics University, liaison officer to Bahrain delegation

Closely and promptly follow and support delegates

Tran Quy Nhan (L) and delegates from Bahrain (Photo: Valerie Mai)

This is my first time participating in a large-scale international event. There are many principles and requirements that we need to remember and comply with. To best serve the delegates, we always try to follow up with the delegates, and accurately inform the program content, time, meeting room location, and all the types of cards and documents that they need to prepare.

During the conference, we also received a number of arising requests. For example, on September 15, after completing the main agenda, a delegate was tired and wanted to go back to the hotel to rest early. The organizing team did provide buses for the delegates to move from the meeting venue to the hotels and vice versa but to use their buses, we need to wait for other delegates to come with us.

Delegates from Bahrain use their private car, which their assistant already hired when they came to Vietnam. However, for the car to enter the meeting venue, it must have an access card. Not until the police at the conference checked our documents did we realize that we did not have the card. It was a long procedure to register but fortunately, the organizing committee provided timely and responsible support so that delegates did not have to wait too long.

Delegates in the Bahraini Bahraini are Islams. Before each meal, I send them the menu, ask them what they can and cannot eat, and what kind of food they want, and report back to the organizers.

After the event, I found myself learning how to accompany an international delegation and gaining more knowledge about other countries, hosting an international event, diplomatic protocols, and how to handle sudden situations.

Luong Phuong Thao, second-year student of Foreign Trade University, liaison officer to the UK delegation

Introduce Vietnam's specialties to international friends

Luong Phuong Thao, second-year student of Foreign Trade University (Photo: Valerie Mai)

When I welcomed the delegates from the airport, the organizers arranged a bus to take us to the hotel. It was a big bus so we shared it with two other delegations, the Russian Federation and Angola. However, it turned out that the Russian delegation had already gone with their Embassy, while the Angolan delegation arrived late.

While waiting for them, I thought I should do something to cheer the UK delegates up so time would fly faster. I asked the delegates about their journey to Vietnam, suggesting places and dishes that they could try when coming to Hanoi. When I talked about "cốm" (green young rice), they were so excited. They asked me how rice could be green and hoped to soon try the dish.

They taught me the "good luck" sign in the UK. They told me how to do it, with words, then they showed me the sign with their hands, so I could quickly memorize it. They also taught me to communicate more naturally with foreigners. I really appreciate that.

The event brought together parliamentarians, who are young, and dynamic. Many of them are "Gen Z" youngsters, so we quickly become close with each other.

Dang The Giang, third-year student at Hanoi University, liaison officer to Indonesia delegation

Proactive and flexible in all situations

Dang The Giang, third-year student at Hanoi University (Photo: Valerie Mai)

A delegate from the Indonesian delegation was assigned to chair the closing session. However, the agenda sent by the Vietnamese side was different from the agenda sent by the IPU. Vietnam's proposed agenda included more speakers, but in reality, there were only two, so the Indonesian delegate's part was pushed earlier. The delegate was confused so I contacted Vietnam's National Secretariat and the IPU assistant to double-check. Both provided enthusiastic support and early feedback to help the event run smoothly.

Another story, before the first session, the Indonesian delegation told me that they had a new member arrive. At 11:00 pm the previous night, I contacted the volunteer team management board and from there contacted the Organizing Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue an additional delegate card, a new invitation letter, and two access cards for vehicles. They were very supportive and helpful so that the process could be quickly carried out.

This is the fourth event I have participated in as a liaison officer. Previously, I worked at Seagames, the 6th International Film Festival, and the 2022 International Defense Exhibition. Through these events, I have more international friends and better language skills. I have the opportunity to participate in international events promoting the image and people of Vietnam.

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