Deputy PM Khiem, who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs, made the statement at a national training workshop on people-to-people diplomacy and foreign non-governmental aid, which opened in Hanoi on July 31 with the participation of representatives from member chapters of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations.

Mr Khiem noted that over the past 20 years, people-to-people diplomacy has undergone positive changes, helping the country to diversify its international relations and effectively achieve national development and defence.

To implement the motto "Vietnam wants to befriend all countries in the world," people-to-people diplomacy should be carried on in an active, flexible, creative and effective way, he stressed.

The Government leader emphasised the necessity of developing a cultural identity as part of this work and bringing the culture of people-to-people diplomacy to everyone.

During the three-day event, participants will be briefed on the world development and the Party's foreign policy, as well as issues related to the mobilisation and management of foreign non-governmental aid. They will also be introduced to ways to build Vietnam's image through activities involving people-to-people friendship and diplomacy.