Building the People's Diplomacy Channel between Dong Nai and the United States

​(News Portal – Dong Nai) - During the 2018-2024 term, the Vietnam-US Friendship Association of Dong Nai province welcomed 100 new members and established 3 new branches, bringing the total number of members to 300 and the total number of grassroots organizations to 3. 

The Congress of the Vietnam-US Friendship Association of Dong Nai province for the 2024-2029 term has recently been held. The program gathered 146 official delegates representing the 300 members of the association, focusing on evaluating the results achieved during the previous term, providing input for the association's future direction over the next 5 years, electing the executive committee and leadership positions for the new term, as well as showing appreciation and awarding individuals and groups who have made positive contributions to the association's work in the previous term. 

​

Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, Chairman of the Vietnam-US Society, served as the keynote speaker at the conference on the topic "The Role of People's Diplomacy in the Comprehensive Partnership between Vietnam and the United States," organized by the Vietnam-US Friendship Association of Dong Nai province and the Federation of Friendship Organizations of the province. 

Positive results in building the association
Over the past 5 years, the Vietnam-US Friendship Association of Dong Nai province has effectively carried out three major tasks: building peaceful, united, and friendly relations between the people of Dong Nai and the United States, enhancing people-to-people diplomacy efforts, and establishing a strong and resilient association. These results have demonstrated the role of the association in bridging people-to-people diplomacy between the people of Dong Nai and their American friends.

In particular, the association has placed great importance on building bridges locally to strengthen and promote the friendship between the Vietnamese people and the United States, as well as between Dong Nai and various American localities. In addition to American businesses investing in Dong Nai and the presence of American experts working here, the province of Dong Nai has signed memoranda of understanding and international cooperation agreements at the provincial level with American states such as Arkansas, Virginia, and Oklahoma. These agreements are being effectively implemented, and local enterprises have also found good partners through them.

According to Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam-US Friendship Association of Dong Nai province, Bui Thi Lieu, in the coming time, efforts will be focused on developing more members and association branches within schools, American businesses, and the local workforce.

Alongside establishing bridges, the association has regularly organized social welfare activities by mobilizing social resources. Among these activities, the annual scholarship program for outstanding students majoring in foreign languages at universities has been consistently maintained. The Vietnam-US Friendship Association of Dong Nai province also provides gifts to victims of Agent Orange/dioxin on holidays and during Tet (Vietnamese New Year). However, the number of activities and the value of community assistance provided through these programs are still limited.

Therefore, the association will focus on attracting domestic resources as well as the participation of American enterprises and non-governmental organizations in social welfare programs. 

​​

Deputy Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department, Pham Tan Linh, commends individuals who achieved awards at the 2023 Vietnamese-American Singing Contest. 

Attracting members and the public through various activities

In addition to building the organization, the Vietnam-US Friendship Association of Dong Nai province is flexible in organizing activities according to the current events of each year.

Immediately after the event of Vietnam and the US upgrading their comprehensive strategic partnership during the state visit of the US President to Vietnam in September 2023, the Vietnam-US Friendship Association of Dong Nai province, together with the Federation of Friendship Organizations of the province, organized a specialized conference on the role of people-to-people diplomacy in the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the United States. In addition to members of the association, the event was attended by nearly 300 delegates who were leaders of agencies, units, officials, and members of member friendship organizations under the Federation of Friendship Organizations of the province.

Pham Quang Vinh, Chairman of the Vietnam-US Society (Federation of Friendship Organizations of Vietnam), who was the speaker at the conference, said that organizing the program immediately after the meeting between the leaders of the two countries demonstrates the sensitivity in the propaganda orientation of the provincial leadership, the Federation of Friendship Organizations of the province, and the Vietnam-US Friendship Association of Dong Nai province in disseminating foreign information to the people.

Along with that, among the 10 friendship organizations under the Federation of Friendship Organizations of the province, the Vietnam-US Friendship Association of Dong Nai province is the organization that implements the most diverse and numerous people-to-people exchange programs.

During the 2018-2024 period, the Vietnam-US Friendship Association of Dong Nai province actively organized 20 people-to-people exchange activities.

Mrs. Bui Thi Lieu said that these activities emphasize the solemnity and demonstrate the friendship and participation of the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, US-invested businesses, foreign non-governmental organizations, and a large number of people from all walks of life in the province.

Specifically, the Vietnam-US Friendship Association of Dong Nai province coordinated with the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City to organize four exchange programs and discussions on study opportunities in the United States. More than 1,000 students, pupils, and parents were able to listen to introductions and directly ask representatives from the United States about issues related to the process of seeking study opportunities in the US.

Or in a series of activities commemorating the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Vietnam-US Friendship Association of Dong Nai province coordinated to organize the "Hamilton" Film Week at Dong Nai University. The film screenings attracted the attention of students and members of the Vietnam-US Friendship Association of Dong Nai province. Through this event, the organizers introduced the history and culture of the United States to the people of the province.

Every year, during people-to-people exchange events, the association organizes discussions on the Vietnam-US relationship for officials and members. It is worth noting that depending on the current events, the Vietnam-US Friendship Association of Dong Nai province is flexible in organizing activities. ​