On December 27 in Hanoi, the association held a ceremony marking its 70th anniversary (1955-2025).

Nguyen Thuy Anh, President of the Vietnam–France Friendship and Cooperation Association, said the decision to establish the Vietnam-France Friendship Association, now the Vietnam-France Friendship and Cooperation Association, reflected President Ho Chi Minh’s far-sighted political vision and consistent strategic thinking on people-to-people diplomacy. He placed great importance on friendship, regarded people-to-people diplomacy as an integral component of Vietnam’s foreign policy, and viewed mutual understanding, cooperation and friendship among nations as a pathway to peace and sustainable development.

During the years of resistance against the United States, the Vietnam-France Friendship Association played an active role on the international public-opinion front. Through close coordination with the France-Vietnam Friendship Association and progressive forces in France, it mobilized broad support from the French public and international friends for the just struggle of the Vietnamese people.

After national reunification, the association shifted its focus from public-opinion advocacy to cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. It became an effective connector in promoting cooperation in culture, education, science, health care and humanitarian activities, while helping mobilize valuable support from French partners in post-war recovery and socio-economic development.

Nguyen Thuy Anh stressed that throughout its 70 years of formation and development, the association has remained a reliable, dynamic and adaptive people’s organization, responding to each stage of national development and bilateral relations. Regardless of circumstances, it has stayed focused on enhancing mutual understanding, boosting  cooperation and nurturing friendship between the two nations.

With people-to-people diplomacy identified as one of the three pillars of Vietnam’s diplomacy, the association continues to broaden its partner network and deepen cooperation in areas of shared strength, including education and Francophonie, health care, culture, science, local-level cooperation, youth and sports. It has also stepped up communication efforts to promote Vietnam’s image in France and the friendly, cooperative relationship between the two countries, while working closely with the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), and French and Vietnamese partners.

VUFO President Phan Anh Son said the Vietnam-France Friendship and Cooperation Association has fulfilled its mission and met President Ho Chi Minh’s expectations, standing alongside the country during the struggle for national liberation and reunification, as well as in national construction and defence.

As Vietnam-France relations move into a new stage, the VUFO encourages the association to further renew its thinking and working methods, and to link its activities more closely with the priorities of the Vietna-France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the country’s major socio-economic development goals.

The association is expected to further connect intellectuals, experts, youth and the Vietnamese community in France, while coordinating closely with organizations across the VUFO system, member associations and French partners to enhance the quality and reach of people-to-people diplomacy, Son said.

In recognition of its contributions, the association was awarded the Second-Class Labor Order by the Party and State. On the same occasion, several outstanding members received the commemorative medal “For Peace and Friendship among Nations” from VUFO.

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