People-to-people diplomacy is the foundation for the Vietnam-Canada Comprehensive Partnership

Over 50 years of the Vietnam-Canada Comprehensive Partnership, with extensive cooperation in many areas, have created an important foundation for the growing economic and trade relations. With the efforts of cooperation in the fields of education, culture, student exchange and people-to-people exchange; with the increasing position of both countries in the international arena, with the great potential in trade and tourism, especially with the attention of the two countries' senior leaders, the Vietnam-Canada relationship will develop even stronger.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc said that with the will, trust and determination of both countries over the past 50 years, the Vietnam - Canada relationship has been continuously developed and strengthened in many fields.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc and Deputy Minister of Global Affairs of Canada David Morrison. Photo: internet.

People-to-people diplomacy between Vietnam and Canada has played an important role in building and strengthening the Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries. This relationship is not only based on official agreements between the governments but is also strongly promoted by exchanges, understanding and cooperation between the people of the two countries. Highlights of the role of people-to-people diplomacy in the Vietnam - Canada Comprehensive Partnership aim to enhance cultural understanding. Cultural exchanges with activities such as festivals, art exhibitions, and cultural fairs help people of the two countries better understand each other's customs, practices and cultural traditions. In theeducation program: Expanding scholarship opportunities and student exchanges create conditions for the young generations of the two countries to interact with each other, thereby forming long-term friendships and connections. On promoting economic cooperation: Connecting businesses : Trade exchange programs and business seminars create opportunities for Vietnamese and Canadian businesses to meet, seek cooperation, investment and market development opportunities; Encouraging tourism : People-to-people diplomacy also contributes to promoting tourism between the two countries, creating opportunities for cultural exchange and economic investment. The two sides promote cooperation in social fields: Community support programs : Non-governmental and community organizations have implemented many projects to support vulnerable groups in Vietnam, while helping Canadians better understand the social and economic situation in Vietnam; Promoting human rights issues : Dialogue and cooperation activities between social organizations of the two countries help improve awareness and address sensitive human rights issues. Many activities connect people of all walks of life: Cooperation between local organizations : Localities of Vietnam and Canada can establish direct cooperation to develop joint projects, from environment to education; Sports and youth exchanges: Sports events and cultural activities for youth help strengthen connections and mutual understanding between the young generations of the two countries. The two sides have created momentum for foreign policy: Awareness and support from the people : When people clearly understand the relationship and the benefits of cooperation, they will support the government's active foreign policies. The two sides innovate communication methods : People-to-people diplomacy also helps modernize communication methods and reduce barriers between countries, creating favorable conditions for dialogue and negotiation. According to Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc, bilateral relations have been nurtured by many generations of leaders of the two countries, most clearly demonstrated through mutual visits and regular contacts. These include the visit to Vietnam by Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and the opening of the Canadian Embassy in Hanoi in 1994, the visit to Canada by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai in 2005, the historic first State visit of Canadian Governor General David Johnston to Vietnam in 2011; more recently, the visit to Canada by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in June 2018 and, in particular, the visit to Vietnam by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in November 2017, which marked a new milestone in the bilateral relationship with the establishment of a Comprehensive Partnership framework between Vietnam and Canada. The visits of the two sides' senior leaders not only create a strong impetus to promote bilateral relations in all fields, but also have symbolic significance, bringing the two countries and peoples closer together. Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc emphasized that Vietnam always attaches importance to its relationship with Canada, and hopes that the relationship between the two countries will always develop in friendship, cooperation, and mutual benefit, for peace, stability, and development in the region and the world .

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc. Photo: Internet.

He also emphasized that in the coming time, along with promoting people-to-people diplomacy, the two sides need to continue to deepen the Comprehensive Partnership in the fields of politics - diplomacy, defense - security through promoting the regular maintenance of high-level visits, holding annual meetings, dialogues and policy exchanges at the level of Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Industry and Trade. Emphasizing the role of the Vietnamese community in Canada with nearly 300,000 people, Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc hopes that Canada will continue to create conditions for the community to stabilize, integrate, and contribute to the prosperity of Canada as well as the development of the Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries. People-to-people diplomacy plays a decisive role in consolidating and developing the Comprehensive Partnership between Vietnam and Canada. By creating close connections between the people of the two countries, people-to-people diplomacy not only promotes economic, cultural and social cooperation but also creates a solid foundation for international cooperation in the future. The strong development of people-to-people diplomacy will contribute to enhancing the position and influence of both Vietnam and Canada in the international arena./.

Bich Huong