VUFO and WLP Continue to Cooperate to Support Agent Orange Victims
	VUFO 2024: Significant Goals Accomplished

Phan Anh Son, president of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), highlighted that in 2024, the Union organized thousands of people-to-people diplomatic activities across various fields. Each event left a lasting impression, with many touching moments, especially in the areas of peace, friendship, and development cooperation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin attended a cultural performance at the Vietnam National Academy of Music during the Russian Prime Minister’s visit to Vietnam earlier this year. (Photo: Pham Hai)

These stories unfolded in different settings and circumstances but shared a common theme—demonstrating solidarity, unwavering loyalty, and the belief that helping friends is also helping oneself. Such moments created profound and lasting impressions in the realm of people-to-people relations.

In September 2024, General Secretary and President To Lam paid a state visit to Cuba. In preparation for his meeting with Cuban friendship representatives and the younger generation on September 27, the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations requested relevant agencies to propose awards. The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union nominated the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Youth Union for the Friendship Order.

Due to time constraints, the official decision for the award had not yet been received when the delegation departed. The next day, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union sent the Friendship Order, including the certificate and medal, through the delegation of the Commission for External Relations to be delivered to Cuba.

To ensure a dignified and symbolic presentation, Phan Anh Son suggested that the Cuban Communist Youth Union prepare a flag, onto which the Friendship Order would be affixed. This arrangement not only upheld political and diplomatic protocols but also added solemnity to the momentous occasion of awarding Vietnam’s prestigious state honor to a foreign organization.

The meeting between Cuban friendship representatives, the young generation, and the Vietnamese delegation marked a historic milestone—the first time a top Cuban leader attended such a people-to-people diplomacy event. The event was a resounding success, further strengthening the deep-rooted friendship between Vietnam and Cuba.

President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son presented a painting to Russian Ambassador Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko.

The year 2024 marked a comprehensive and effective implementation of people-to-people diplomacy by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations. The Union organized 43 outbound delegations, received 28 inbound delegations, conducted over 1,000 local diplomatic activities, hosted five international conferences and seminars.

A highlight of the year was the Union’s participation in high-level diplomatic activities led by Party and State leaders. The Union coordinated and hosted nine events facilitating meetings between Vietnam’s top leadership and international friends, as well as engagements between foreign leaders and the Vietnamese people.

President Phan Anh Son emphasized that people-to-people diplomacy within the framework of high-level foreign relations not only underscores the Party and State’s commitment to this form of diplomacy and the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations but also reflects Vietnam’s deep appreciation for the solidarity, support, and assistance of people worldwide.

Year of diplomatic ties with China, Russia, and the United States

President Phan Anh Son affirmed that Vietnam’s people-to-people diplomacy, including initiatives under the Union’s system, has accompanied the nation through different historical periods. As a socio-political organization, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations serves as a key force in people-to-people diplomacy, one of the three pillars of Vietnam’s comprehensive and modern diplomacy.

The Union’s network continues to expand, now comprising over 110 member organizations at both central and local levels. It has built partnerships with more than 1,000 international organizations, mechanisms, political and diplomatic forums, social organizations, businesses, intellectuals, and overseas Vietnamese communities in over 100 countries and territories.

People-to-people diplomacy has made significant contributions to Vietnam’s era of independence, self-reliance, and development. Looking ahead to 2025, a year of many significant national events, the Union will actively participate in commemorating key diplomatic milestones.

The 75th anniversary of Vietnam-Russia diplomatic relations and the 75th anniversary of the Vietnam-Soviet/Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association will be celebrated in May. In relations with China, the Union will organize the 75th anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic ties, along with the 13th Vietnam-China People’s Forum, and a series of activities under the “Vietnam-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges.”

Marking 30 years of Vietnam-U.S. relations, the Union will collaborate with the U.S. Embassy to host the conference on Vietnam-U.S. Relations, and a series of four friendship exchange events in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, and Da Nang. The Vietnam-U.S. Society and the Union will also arrange meetings, discussions, and exchanges between veterans and their families from both nations to promote reconciliation and heal the wounds of war.

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