5 Key Tasks of People's Diplomacy in 2025
	Continuing to Innovate Thinking and Approaches, Effectively Implementing People-to-People Diplomacy

Sharing expertise in people-to-people diplomacy

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh.

Recently, VUFO has consistently demonstrated a proactive approach to coordinating with Lao partners, both in bilateral cooperation and on multilateral platforms. In March 2024, we met with VUFO President Phan Anh Son to discuss measures to advance practical and effective cooperation and strengthen people-to-people exchanges between our countries.

I hold VUFO and the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association in high regard for their significant contributions to fostering exchanges and cooperation between the peoples of Vietnam and Laos. Our commitment remains steadfast in collaborating closely with VUFO and the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, from central to local levels, to implement meaningful activities that fortify the special solidarity between the Vietnamese and Lao peoples.

The year 2025 will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association and the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association. The Lao Embassy in Vietnam wishes to work closely with these associations to organize commemorative events that will further deepen the unique bond between our two nations.

In particular, we hope that VUFO will share its valuable expertise in organizing, developing, and researching people-to-people diplomacy activities.

Looking ahead, I hope that the two sides will continue to promote people-to-people exchange activities and foster public awareness, particularly among the younger generation, about the invaluable traditions and special Vietnam-Laos relationship.

There is ample room for further development of people-to-people relations between the two countries

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to Vietnam Sandeep Arya.

People-to-people connections and the inherent closeness between India and Vietnam are defining features of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our nations.

In 2024, India and Vietnam actively promoted people-to-people exchanges through cultural activities, yoga programs, film festivals, television initiatives, and expanded tourism. The increase in direct flight routes and the remarkable growth in two-way tourism reflect the mutual interest and engagement between the peoples of our two countries. Special events marking the 10th International Day of Yoga in 2024 were celebrated across 45 provinces and cities in Vietnam. Several Indian art and cultural troupes performed in at least ten provinces and cities in Vietnam, while Vietnamese art troupes showcased their talents in various regions of India.

The number of Vietnamese pilgrims visiting Buddhist heritage sites in India continues to grow steadily, while the increasing exchange of students in both directions demonstrates the enduring strength of people-to-people connections. Each year, India offers approximately 200 scholarships to Vietnamese students, officials, and professionals for advanced studies.

One of the year’s notable milestones was the collaborative production of the film Love in Vietnam, which commenced in September 2024. Additionally, we organized the Indian Film Festival in Hanoi in January 2025 to present a selection of acclaimed Indian films to Vietnamese audiences, adding a new dimension to cultural exchanges.

Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India and Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism signed an agreement to initiate the next phase of restoration and conservation at the My Son World Heritage Site in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. This endeavor, expected to begin in 2025, builds upon the successful restoration of the A, H, and K temple groups at My Son in 2022.

We deeply value VUFO’s role, along with its extensive network of friendship organizations, in enhancing and nurturing people-to-people ties between India and Vietnam.

I believe there is significant potential to further expand areas of mutual public interest, such as yoga, cinema, music, sports, pilgrimage, and education, to connect the people of both countries. Efforts targeting the dynamic youth in both nations could be amplified through schools and universities, bringing renewed vitality to bilateral relations.

Strengthening awareness of shared cultural and spiritual practices, such as the use of lunar calendars, ancestor worship, reverence for deities like the Kitchen God and Mother Goddesses, and traditional values, could further enrich people-to-people engagement. Additionally, the extensive knowledge of traditional medicine and the use of herbal remedies in healthcare are areas of mutual interest that could be explored further.

As we step into 2025, we are filled with enthusiasm and dedication to deepen cooperation with VUFO, fostering stronger bonds between the peoples of India and Vietnam. I extend my heartfelt wishes for a prosperous, peaceful, and progressive New Year 2025!

The AIPSO-VUFO partnership is a pillar for shared goals

General Secretary of the All India Peace and Solidarity Organization (AIPSO) Harchand Singh.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to VUFO and the Vietnam-India Friendship Association (VIFA) for organizing the 12th Vietnam-India People's Friendship Festival.

This festival was more than a cultural and artistic exchange. It was a reaffirmation of the historical, cultural, and revolutionary bonds connecting our nations, and of the profound ties between VUFO, VIFA, and AIPSO.

The festival provided a platform to celebrate our shared heritage and to strengthen connections through art, music, and literature, which have linked our people for centuries. It served as a reminder of the power of cultural diplomacy in bringing people together, breaking barriers, and fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.

AIPSO remains committed to promoting these values and regards its partnership with VUFO and VIFA as a crucial foundation for advancing our shared objectives. Together, we will work to uphold the principles of sovereignty, equality, and justice in international relations.

VUFO is a bridge for Vietnam-US religious cooperation

Pastor Bob Roberts, President of the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE).

I have been serving as the President of the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) for one and a half years, but my connection to the organization dates back to the early 2000s. I was present at the signing of the first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between IGE and the Vietnam-USA Society, a member organization of VUFO, in September 2006.

Our partnership has grown beyond addressing key issues to fostering a deep friendship based on mutual trust and respect. This bond has allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s religious landscape and the efforts undertaken to address related challenges.

IGE’s initiatives in Vietnam have served as a model for similar activities in other countries, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Sudan, and Pakistan. Vietnam is not only a place where IGE supports the promotion of religious freedom but also a source of invaluable lessons that we have had the privilege to learn and share with other nations worldwide. This is truly remarkable!

In November 2023, we signed our third MOU for the 2023–2028 term, outlining plans for enhanced cooperation. Beyond freedom of freedom, we are emphasizing religious responsibility through meaningful community development projects.

In December 2024, under the MOU, the Delegation of the Global Collaborative Community visited Vietnam, engaging with rehabilitation centers managed by local churches to support individuals overcoming drug addiction. In the future, we aspire to strengthen our collaboration with these organizations while promoting deeper connections and exchanges among pastors, churches, government leaders, and communities in both Vietnam and the United States.

We hope that through cooperative programs and delegation exchanges, the relationship between the two sides will continue to be reinforced and developed more profoundly, creating meaningful and lasting values.

VUFO helps me revive treasured memories of Vietnam

Yu Su Hui, former medical worker at Nanxi Shan Hospital, Guilin, Guangxi, China.

I was deeply moved during my visit to Vietnam in May 2024, organized by VUFO to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory. Through this visit, I not only gained insights into Vietnam’s heroic history but also witnessed its vibrant and prosperous development today.

The VUFO staff accompanied us with dedication, attentively caring for each member of the delegation and meticulously explaining every historical narrative. This connection is not only reflected in visits or commemorative events but also the transmission of historical values, helping younger generations understand and appreciate the unique relationship between Vietnam and China. This underscores VUFO's vital role as a bridge between generations and between cultures.

On June 28, 2023, during an official visit to China, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed deep gratitude for the contributions of Nanxi Shan Hospital to Vietnamese soldiers. He urged further cooperation with VUFO to share these stories with younger generations. I hope VUFO will continue to serve as a bridge, particularly in sharing historical stories and memorable events such as the operations of the Nanxi Shan Hospital. This helps younger generations gain a deeper understanding of the past and creates opportunities for stronger connections with international friends, fostering broader cultural exchanges between Vietnam and other countries. Thanks to VUFO, I was able to relive the joyful days of friendship with my Vietnamese colleagues and friends.

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