VUFO Vice President Nguyen Van Kien, who is also Editor-in-chief of Thoi Dai (Time) newspaper, confirmed that Vietnam is a reliable and responsible member of the international community. As the incumbent ASEAN Chair, Vietnam is making preparations for the upcoming 7^th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit slated for Hanoi this October and playing an active role in speeding up the building of a united ASEAN community by 2015.

As part of the summit, APF6, to take place in Hanoi from September 23-26, aims to strengthen solidarity and cooperation amongst ASEAN people and build a united community in the interest of the people, and for peace, equitable and sustainable development in the region.

On August 19-20, scholars from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and VUFO will introduce the history of ASEAN organisations, major ASEAN activities in 2010, APF6 and its agenda, civil societies in Vietnam, Southeast Asia and the world.

The first ASEAN People’s Forum was held in 2005.