People-to-people diplomacy should be a key priority in the upcoming amended Capital Law, Vice Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Thi Tuyen suggested the move in a meeting discussing the law on August 17.

Vice Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Thi Tuyen at the meeting. Photos: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times

At the meeting, Tuyen affirmed the crucial historical and present-day role of people-to-people diplomacy in the country's development, recognizing it as one of the three fundamental pillars of Vietnamese foreign affairs.

In this context, she highlighted the role of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations and its member associations in strengthening friendship, and solidarity, and expanding cooperation between Hanoi and major cities worldwide. This, in turn, has contributed to the development of the capital and the nation and elevated their standing and reputation on the global stage.

Discussing future tasks, Tuyen emphasized the growing importance of the city's foreign affairs, particularly people-to-people diplomacy, in the face of deepening international integration.

She called for innovative activities guided by the principles of being proactive, flexible, creative, and effective.

Coordination with all levels, branches, and the entire political system, especially member units of the Union, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, and international economic organizations in Hanoi is crucial for the consistent and effective implementation of the Party's foreign policy and the centralized management of foreign affairs by the State and the City, she noted.

In addition to raising awareness about the role of people-to-people diplomacy, Tuyen urged the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations to enhance the quality of foreign affairs information, proactively engage in activities, and prioritize political sensitivity in all endeavors. Strengthening the Union's role and position involves building a robust Association and member organizations while solidifying and expanding the association apparatus and grassroots friendship associations, Tuyen said.

Tran Thi Phuong, Standing Vice Chairwoman of the City Union of Friendship Organizations, highlighted the Union's five key focus areas and its effective activities in people-to-people diplomacy. These activities encompass maintaining partnerships with embassies and international organizations, fostering mutual understanding between Hanoi's residents and international friends, and showcasing Hanoi as a thousand-year-old city of civilization, a city of peace, a heroic capital, and a dynamic hub of development and international integration.

Moving forward, the Union aims to continue actively promoting and publicizing the capital to international friends and overseas Vietnamese, Phuong said.