People-to-people diplomacy important to Vietnam–Russia ties

Speaking at the event, Tran Binh Minh, President of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association, said the seminar was among activities scheduled during the Vietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam 2019 for mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation.

He lauded the robust growth of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, adding that his association and its Russian counterpart have been implementing joint plans, including a cooperation agreement for 2015-2020, to contribute to the relations between the two countries.

President of the Russian – Vietnam Friendship Association Vladimir Buyanov highlighted people-to-people diplomacy and public diplomacy as the “soft power” in Russia’s policies for both internal and external relations.

Pointing to the importance of using IT for better communications with the public, he highlighted the need to attract youths’ involvement in such work.

At the seminar, politicians and scholars presented 10 papers on the role of people-to-people diplomacy in consolidating Vietnam – Russia ties and experience in employing people-based diplomatic tools in both nations.

The organizing board said based on these papers, it will make a list of recommendations for submission to leaders of the Vietnamese and Russian foreign ministries.