The Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations (HUFO) on July 4 held a conference to review people-to-people diplomacy efforts in H1/2025 and outline directions for the remaining months of the year.

The event took place at the Hanoi Government Complex on Vo Chi Cong Street in Tay Ho District.

The conference was attended by HUFO President Nguyen Ngoc Ky, Vice Presidents, members of the Standing Committee and Executive Board, along with representatives from friendship associations and affiliated member organizations.

In his remarks, President Ky praised the efforts, creativity, and sense of responsibility shown by the union's staff and members in advancing people-to-people diplomacy.

He said that 2025 is a year of major political milestones for both Hanoi and the nation, including the 95th anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the 50th anniversary of national reunification, the 80th anniversary of the diplomatic sector, and the official operation of Hanoi's two-tier local government model.

In this historical context, Ky urged all member associations and friendship organizations to follow the Party's guiding principles, particularly the direction set out by General Secretary To Lam regarding the "New Era – The era of national rise."

He described this as the guiding light for implementing people-to-people diplomacy in a comprehensive and effective manner.

Ky outlined four key pillars that should guide upcoming efforts: Resolution 57 on science, technology, and innovation; Resolution 59 on international integration; Resolution 66 on legal development and enforcement; and Resolution 68 on private sector development.

He noted that these form the foundation for Hanoi's people-to-people diplomacy to take on a leading role in integration and development.

The HUFO president also called for further innovation in traditional activities such as people-to-people exchanges and peace and friendship programs, urging closer alignment with major national holidays.

He stressed the importance of integrating these with external information campaigns and cultural and economic diplomacy efforts.

Particularly, Ky encouraged member associations to advise the Hanoi Party Committee on issuing a directive specifically on people-to-people diplomacy and to propose a resolution to the City People's Council regarding mechanisms and policies to support this work.

He also highlighted the need to create an action program that leverages Hanoi's title as "City for Peace."

According to Vice President Tran Thi Phuong, despite global and regional complexities, HUFO had taken proactive, creative, and effective steps to expand people-to-people diplomacy.

The union made progress in planning, policy-building, and organizational consolidation to meet the demands of this new phase.

In the first six months of the year, HUFO organized a number of large-scale and meaningful events, including the international art exchange program "Welcome New Year 2025" at the Hanoi Opera House, a spring friendship trip to the Hai Ba Trung Temple in Me Linh District, and the Asian Traditional New Year Festival.

Other highlights included hosting the Japan-Vietnam Peace Development Council from Kagawa Prefecture, welcoming the Indian art troupe Mudra Creation, and organizing the Capital Women's Festival for Peace and Development.

HUFO also co-hosted the 2025 Hanoi Tourism Festival with the participation of ambassadors and diplomatic representatives.

Efforts to boost external communication were stepped up, notably with the upgrade of HUFO's website into an official and professionally designed digital portal.

The bilingual publication "Friendship and Cooperation" continues to be published regularly with high quality.

The union also increased its mobilization of international non-governmental aid. Notable initiatives included collaboration with the Tzu Chi Charity Foundation on a housing project for disadvantaged families in rural districts and partnership with the Hanoi Association of the Elderly to support vulnerable community members.