Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga & The Story of People-to-People Diplomacy
Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga is the first female Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in Vietnam and served as the Chairwoman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) from 2013 to 2018. With 35 years of experience in diplomacy and people-to-people relations, she has made significant contributions to Vietnam's diplomatic efforts with international friends.
Among Vietnam's three pillars of foreign relations-party diplomacy, state diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy, the latter is regarded as a distinctive and innovative aspect that embodies Vietnam's unique diplomatic identity. VUFO serves as the specialized agency at the forefront of people-to-people diplomacy.
However, in the current complex global context with intertwined partners and issues, Ambassador Nga emphasizes that now more than ever, people-to-people diplomacy must capitalize on its advantages to build trust and foster a friendly, social foundation for cooperation with other nations. This involves garnering international support and resources to create a peaceful environment conducive to strengthening inter-state relations, effectively supporting party diplomacy and state diplomacy.
The emergence of the 13th Party Congress document outlines a modern, comprehensive Vietnamese foreign policy built on three pillars: Party diplomacy, state diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy, significantly influenced by VUFO and Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga's persistent contributions. According to Ambassador Nga, "People-to-people diplomacy creates a positive social foundation that facilitates the expansion of partnerships between Vietnam and other countries, enhancing relationships in areas where state diplomacy cannot fully engage". Specifically, this approach enriches relationships and fosters emotional ties among citizens of different nations.
Currently, VUFO acts as the standing agency for the Committee for Foreign Non-Governmental Organization Affairs (PACCOM), is responsible for processing applications from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) wishing to operate in Vietnam. It supports these organizations in their activities while maintaining and developing relationships with foreign NGOs.
Ambassador Nga notes that people-to-people diplomacy is not only a unique and creative aspect but also a valuable asset for Vietnam's foreign relations. To maximize its potential, participation from all levels of society is essential to attract involvement from youth, businesses, intellectuals, and religious leaders. This collective effort will effectively support Party diplomacy and state diplomacy in safeguarding national interests, especially regarding democracy, human rights, and territorial sovereignty./.