Vietnam, Russia tighten bonds through people-to-people diplomacy

The forum was held on September 30 and October 1 by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), the Saint Petersburg Committee for External Relations, the Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association, the Russia - Vietnam Friendship Association, and the “Tradition and Friendship” foundation for promoting the bilateral cooperation.

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Do Van Chien speaks at the meeting with the Russian delegation who are in Vietnam for the first Vietnam - Russia People’s Forum on October 1.

At the event, Chien stressed that generations of the Vietnamese people always bear in mind Russia’s kindness and heartfelt support for the country’s national development and safeguarding efforts, while highlighting Vietnam’s foreign policy of multilateralization, diversification, independence, and self-reliance, with the three pillars of Party diplomacy, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy. The robust relationship with Russia and with Saint Petersburg in particular is a shining example, he said.

He went on to highlight the country’s remarkable development, recalling its journey from among the world’s poorest and food insecure when the Doi moi (renewal) was launched in 1986 to a world’s leading rice exporter and an economic powerhouse.

Vietnam is entering a new era, the era of the nation’s rise, strengthened by the unity and confidence of its people. The country has established diplomatic relations with 193 nations, forged Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships with 13, and is an active member of over 70 international organizations. One of Vietnam’s greatest strengths lies in its people’s trust and solidarity, linking the ideas and power of the Party with the strength of the nation.

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Do Van Chien (right) and Chairman of Committee for External Relations of Saint Petersburg Evgeny Grigoriev

He shared that the political system has been streamlined into a two-tier local government structure, while the VFF and socio-political and mass organizations have been restructured to play more proactive roles, enabling them to connect, propose initiatives, and create favorable conditions for strategic and people-to-people cooperation with international partners. As an organization under the VFF, VUFO is expected to continue fulfilling its mission of connecting and fostering ties between Vietnamese and Russian peoples and social organizations.

Source: VNA