Over recent years, the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organisations (DAFO) has seen many positive benefits from its people-to-people exchange activities in the context of the rapid and complicated developments in global geo-political situations.

A musical performance at the Viet Nam-Russia Cultural Exchange Festival 2015

The Chairman of DAFO, Mr Huynh Duc Truong, recently said that the Union’s 11 member organisations have increasingly promoted the efficiency of their operations over recent years in order to bolster the bilateral friendship and cooperation with localities in other countries worldwide. 

Numerous cultural and friendship exchange activities have been organised, attracting a great deal of attention from local residents, especially young people and students, and international friends. 

Also, great efforts have been made to strengthen bilateral friendships with people’s organisations in neighbouring countries, other ASEAN member nations, and those with which Viet Nam has developed traditional relationships.  To date, DAFO has established bilateral relations with a total of about 40 people’s organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), educational establishments, and general consulates of foreign countries.

Every year, DAFO joins efforts with local relevant agencies to raise funds for implementing about 100 programmes and projects, which has helped to bolster the city’s socio-economic performance.

Last year, NGO-funded projects, worth over 4.1 billion VND in total, were deployed in the city, with a focus on supporting poor, disabled and orphaned children, and those living in difficult circumstances.

Special heed has been paid to opening more information channels to further publicise the diplomatic policies of the Party, the State and the city amongst locals from all walks of life.

Chairman Truong has also asked for permission from the municipal government to develop plans to promote local people-to-people exchange activities over the 2016 - 2020 period.

Municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary Vo Cong Tri recently highly praised DAFO for its remarkable achievements over recent years, and especially for its practical suggestions to the city authorities for effectively implementing local diplomatic tasks.

He also urged the Union to promote the city’s exchange activities for peace with international friends, continue appealing for more financial aid from NGOs, and work closely with other relevant agencies to increase the efficiency of local people-to-people exchange activities in the years ahead.