Friendship Association Goes All Out To Expand Hanoi’s Cooperation With US

Newly-elected executive committee of Hanoi’s Vietnam-US Friendship Association. Photo: HAUFO

The Vietnam-US Friendship Association of Hanoi held its sixth congress for the 2022-2027 tenure on August 25, during which it defined major tasks for the new term with a focus placed on expanding cooperation between the two countries in education, cultural heritage preservation, health and tourism, as well as twinned relations between the capital and US cities.

The association will take measures to increase the number of chapters and members, improve the quality and efficiency of its operations, and step up the dissemination of information on cultural-art exchanges and international cooperation.

It will also advise the municipal People’s Committee to select several US cities to expand friendship and economic ties, and continue introducing Hanoi’s investment potential and opportunities as well as its socio-economic situation.

The congress approved a 32-member executive committee, with Dinh Hong Phong, standing vice secretary of the Party Committee of Hoan Kiem district, elected as president of the association in the 2022-2027 tenure.

In the context that all countries, including Vietnam, have to suffer comprehensive, far-reaching and long-term impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the association has overcome difficulties and enlisted the help and direction of the Hanoi Friendship Organizations Union (HAUFO), the central Vietnam-US Society, actively put the activities of the Hanoi’s Vietnam-US Friendship Association into order, actively contribute to activities of solidarity and friendship between the two peoples of Vietnam and the US, between Hanoi and US’s cities.

Notable events in the 2017-2022 term included the participation in international art exchange programs, friendship exchange to mark the traditional New Year of India, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand; coordinating with the Hanoi’s Association in Support of Vietnamese handicapped and Orphans to present 15 gifts and 20 scholarships worthed VND 31 million, to children with special and difficult circumstances; implementing the program to reduce plastic waste toward a circular economy; launching campaign to support the the “Fund for Vietnam’s Sea and Islands”.

Its Hoan Kiem district’s chapter also had mobilized funds for the prevention and control of Covid-19.

Dinh Hong Phong (right), standing vice secretary of the Party Committee of Hoan Kiem district, elected as president of the Hanoi’s Vietnam-US Friendship Association in the 2022-2027 tenure. Source: HAUFO

Speaking at the event, HAUFO Standing Vice President Tran Thi Phuong appreciated the association’s efforts to help strengthen friendship, cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and the US in the 2017-2022 tenure.

In order to continue promoting the role of the association in the new term, Phuong suggested they put more effort in popularize the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and the US on the mass media, enhance mutual understanding; maintaining relations with the US Embassy and partners in coordinating activities; expanding cooperation relations with people’s organizations and friendship organizations in the US, actively exchanging and cooperating in the fields of economy, culture, education and tourism; developing branches and members in many different fields and professions.