The Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Viet Nam-USA Society jointly held a ceremony on October 16 to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Viet Nam-America Friendship Association (VAFA).
Speaking at the event, VUFO President Phan Anh Son said that 80 years ago, when Viet Nam had just regained its independence, President Ho Chi Minh directed the establishment of the VAFA with the sincere wish of fostering continued cooperation between the two countries.
In the early 1990s, the Viet Nam-USA Society was reorganised on the basis of the VAFA and the Viet Nam Committee for Solidarity with the American People, becoming a member of VUFO.
Since then, VUFO and the Viet Nam-USA Society have jointly organised thousands of people-to-people exchange activities and coordinated cultural, educational, humanitarian, and scientific cooperation programmes as well as numerous initiatives to address the consequences of war.
These activities have helped build trust, narrow differences, bring the two peoples closer together, and shape the friendship between the two nations into a solid foundation for Viet Nam-US relations.
Son expressed his hope that the Viet Nam-USA Society would continue to closely follow the framework of the Viet Nam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and further promote people-to-people exchanges as a key pillar of bilateral relations.
Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, President of the Viet Nam-USA Society, emphasised that this year’s anniversary coincides with both the 80th anniversary of Viet Nam’s independence and the 30th anniversary of Viet Nam-US diplomatic relations, making the occasion all the more joyful.
Looking back over eight decades, Viet Nam-US relations have weathered many ups and downs and developed remarkably, from former adversaries to normalisation, and now to a comprehensive strategic partnership — the highest level of partnership Viet Nam maintains with any foreign country.
On that basis, many opportunities are opening up for both nations, including expanding cooperation in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and green transition, while deepening existing areas of collaboration.
However, new challenges are also emerging, requiring both sides to engage in dialogue and seek solutions in a spirit of cooperation, mutual understanding, and shared benefit.
Ambassador Vinh expressed his belief that relations between the two countries will continue to flourish in the coming years, building upon the achievements of the past three decades.
Throughout this process, the Viet Nam-USA Society has remained committed to fulfilling its mission more effectively, making meaningful contributions to people-to-people diplomacy and bilateral relations.
