In response to the 2023 theme "Improving the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy, and implementing economic, cultural and social development goals" set by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations, the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organisations (DAFO) has coordinated with relevant units to organise 40 people-to-people exchange activities and events in a bid to promote the image of Da Nang to international friends.

Japanese artists perform at a symphony concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Viet Nam - Japan diplomatic ties in Da Nang in September. Photo: KHOI NGUYEN

People-to-people diplomacy activities promoted

Most recently, DAFO in collaboration with the city branch of the Viet Nam - China Friendship Association and the Chinese Consulate General in Da Nang have hosted the 2023 National Chinese Speaking Contest.

According to Chairman of DAFO Nguyen Ngoc Binh, this year's contest attracted contestants from 25 localities, and 43 universities, academies and Chinese language centers across the country.

He added that the theme of the contest was "The role of Vietnamese youth in international integration" in order to implement the policy set out at the 13^th National Party Congress.

“We wish to promote the position and role of the youth in the process of Viet Nam's international integration, and at the same time, create opportunities for them to proactively and actively engage in international integration and people-to-people diplomacy activities in the new situation" Mr. Binh noted.

Sharing the same opinion, Chairman of the Viet Nam - China Friendship Association in Da Nang Nguyen Dang Hai remarked that international integration is a trend, He added the good integration must be through language because language is the key to opening the door for the understanding of a country, and is a bridge to promote exchanges between different civilisations.

The contest has contributed to tightening the Viet Nam - China friendship relationship, as well as arousing youth to live with aspiration and responsibility for the country.

Besides, the city has organised many cultural exchange events with some foreign countries. Notable among them have been a series of events celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Viet Nam - France and Viet Nam - Japan diplomatic relations (1973-2023), the 9^th International Day of Yoga, and Viet Nam - Russia cultural exchange activities.

These events and activities have given the city a diverse picture of cultural diplomacy, providing locals with the good opportunity to experience and understand other foreign countries.

Expanding and cultivating friendly relations with other countries

According to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Binh, Party diplomacy, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy form the backbone of Viet Nam's comprehensive diplomacy.

In particular, the people-to-people diplomacy work helps advertise the image of the country and people of Viet Nam to the world, thereby contributing to consolidating and cultivating the cooperative and friendly relationship with other foreign countries.

Through people-to-people diplomacy activities, countries which do not know about Viet Nam will have more useful and accurate information about the S-shaped country, thereby promoting the implementation of agreements on economic, trade, educational or cultural cooperation between localities or businesses of a certain country and Viet Nam, Mr. Binh emphasised.

Also this year, DAFO has advised the People's Committee of Da Nang to organise two major events about investment promotion and trade cooperation with foreign countries in the city. They are the 12^th joint meeting between the Executive Committees of the Viet Nam - Thailand and Thailand - Viet Nam Friendship Associations in September, and an international workshop on developing innovation startup ecosystem in Da Nang and the role of people-to-people diplomacy in connecting and mobilising resources in June.

The organisation of the events contributes practically to helping Da Nang realise its goal of becoming a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation as well as promoting the image of Da Nang, and enhancing friendship and cooperation between Da Nang in particular and Viet Nam in general with other countries in the world by 2045.

“Thanks to the special attention, leadership and direction of the city leaders, socio-political organisations, the city's people-to-people diplomacy work is increasingly effective. Da Nang's position and role are increasingly enhanced in bilateral cooperation with localities on the East-West Economic Corridor and ASEAN countries, and in multilateral cooperation at international forums. Da Nang has hosted many regional and world-scale conferences and seminars, thereby, contributing to promoting Da Nang's image in the international arena, consolidating, strengthening and developing people-to-people friendship and cooperation with international friends" Mr. Binh noted.

Reporting by THANH PHUONG - Translating by M.DUNG