The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) will strive to strengthen peace, solidarity, and friendship ties between Vietnam and its traditional friends and partners in 2021 to serve national socio-economic development.

VUFO individuals are honoured for contributions to people-to-people diplomacy in 2020.
(Photo:vufo.org.vn)

The country’s traditional friends and partners include neighbours such as Laos, Cambodia, China, and other ASEAN countries, in addition to major powers, strategic partners, comprehensive partners, and traditional friends, the VUFO said during its Presidium’s conference held on January 14 in Hanoi.

Among the other tasks outlined for 2021, the VUFO will move to effectively strengthen co-operation with partners in an effort to overcome consequences of previous conflicts, including the impact of Agent Orange/dioxin, unexploded bombs and mines, as well as the aftermath of natural disasters and epidemics.

It will also gather international support for Vietnam in its endeavour to defend national sovereignty of the sea and islands, while simultaneously promoting dialogues and fighting for issues relating to religion, democracy, and human rights.

The organisation will take an active role in participating in regional and international people’s forums and mechanisms as a means of expanding the country’s network of friends whilst mobilising international support to protect national interests and refute any false and hostile views.

It was reported that last year, despite the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, the VUFO was able to maintain people-to-people  diplomacy online and share Vietnam’s  experience in successfully controlling the disease. The VUFO and its chapters were able to provide approximately 900,000 masks, 5,500 medical protective suits, and over 3,100 bottles of hand sanitizers valued at roughly VND13 billion for citizens of other countries to use in their fight against COVID-19.

The organisation also called on foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and businesses operating in the country to support local people in their COVID-19 fight. At present, 115 foreign NGOs have since provided goods, necessities, medical equipment, and cash worth a total value of over US$6.5 million.