Hai Phong: Integrating people-to-people diplomacy activities into non-governmental projects

In recent years, the integration of people-to-people diplomacy (DPA) activities into the implementation of foreign non-governmental (NGO) programs and projects in Hai Phong city has brought about very practical results.

People's diplomacy is an important component of the Vietnamese diplomatic front, carried out by organizations and unions from the central to local levels to strengthen solidarity and friendship with peoples of other countries, contributing to creating a peaceful and stable environment for national development, successfully carrying out the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. People's diplomacy is essentially the work of propagating and mobilizing Vietnamese people at home and abroad to implement the policy of peace, solidarity, friendship and cooperation with foreign countries; at the same time, mobilizing organizations and people of other countries to support the foreign policy of multilateralization and diversification, Vietnam is a friend of countries in the world of our Party and State, making people and friends of the world understand, love and unite, and be friendly with the people and country of Vietnam. The advantage of the People's Diplomacy is that it is conducted with many countries, many political and social organizations, and even non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which are difficult for Party diplomacy and state diplomacy to access or cannot be implemented.

It is difficult to list all the forms and approaches in the extremely rich activities of the People's Aid in practice. With the Hai Phong Union, in addition to regularly implementing activities of a regular and traditional nature such as organizing celebrations, meetings, friendship exchanges on major holidays, festivals/competitions, important events and holidays of friends, cultural and language exchange programs and community outreach..., the Hai Phong Union has proactively integrated People's Aid activities in the process of implementing the programs and projects of the local PCPNN.

Leaders of Hai Phong Union and Tzuchi Organization together with local authorities presented study grants to students in difficult circumstances. (Source: Hai Phong Union).

In recent years, in parallel with receiving and implementing non-governmental aid to ensure the right purpose and effectiveness, the Friendship Cooperation Center under the Union has presided over and coordinated with relevant agencies, units and localities to organize the reception of many international volunteer delegations to directly implement the project; at the same time, participating in volunteer activities, cultural, language, artistic and sports exchanges with local partners. In 2024, within the framework of the Project to support the construction of 07 friendship houses for households with housing difficulties and 02 school toilets in 02 districts of Tu Ky and Cam Giang (old) with a total cost of more than 03 billion VND sponsored by Copion Organization and Industrial Bank of Korea; The center and local authorities welcomed two groups of nearly 150 volunteers who are employees of the Industrial Bank of Korea to participate in voluntary work, support the construction of houses for households and the construction of school toilets, combined with friendly exchanges.

Within the framework of the non-governmental project "Supporting disadvantaged people in Hai Duong province", the Hai Phong Union Office organized to welcome 2 international volunteer groups of 21 people organized by GPI Organization (Korea) to exchange friendship (haircutting, painting, sports competitions, performing arts, taking photos for students...) at Bac An Primary School, Chi Linh city (old). These are activities with many practical meanings and left good impressions on the sponsoring units; recognized and highly appreciated by local leaders and people.

Through volunteer activities, international students have the opportunity to experience reality, learn about the life, culture, as well as customs and practices of local people. Teachers, students of schools and people of the localities where the delegation visits have the opportunity to learn about the culture and language of the host country, learn the working style of foreign volunteers, and at the same time take the opportunity to promote the unique cultural features of Hai Phong land and people.

Cultural exchange program between volunteers of Good People International Korea and students of Bac An Primary School . ( Source: Hai Phong Union).

To carry out the above work requires a rather elaborate and thorough preparation process, including agreeing on the list, time, location, content of the working program, interaction, exchange... with foreign partners. In addition, special attention is paid to the procedures for the delegation to enter, ensuring compliance with the provisions of Vietnamese law.

Another very important content is to pay attention to the communication work for these activities. Through mass media such as Newspapers, Radio and Television Stations, local Information Portals, Union Websites... to post and promote information, spread solidarity and friendship, creating a positive effect in the work of the People's Army.

It can be said that the integration of people-to-people diplomacy activities in the implementation of foreign non-governmental programs and projects in Hai Phong city has brought about very practical results. On the one hand, it exploits and promotes the value of aid sources, actively contributing to the implementation of social security policies and socio-economic development tasks of the city, on the other hand, promoting people-to-people diplomacy, contributing to strengthening solidarity, friendship, cooperation and mutual trust and understanding between the Vietnamese people in general, the people of Hai Phong city in particular, and people and friends of countries in the region and the world.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/hai-phong-long-ghep-hoat-dong-doi-ngoai-nhan-dan-trong-du-an-phi-chinh-phu-217684.html