Congress to establish the Vietnam - US Friendship Association of Nghe An province

On the morning of September 24, the Nghe An Union of Friendship Organizations held a congress to establish the Vietnam - US Friendship Association of Nghe An province.

Delegates attending the congress. Photo: Thanh Le

Attending the Congress were Comrade Bui Van Nghi - Head of the Americas Department, Member of the Standing Committee, Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations; Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh - Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam - US Friendship Association; Mr. Tenzin Dawa Thargay - Representative of the Embassy of the United States of America in Vietnam.

On the side of Nghe An province, there was comrade Nguyen Van Thong - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. Members of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee: Nguyen Thi Thu Huong - Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department; Ho Le Ngoc - Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Internal Affairs Department; Nguyen Nam Dinh - Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; representatives of leaders of provincial departments, branches and sectors.

At the congress, the Decision of the People's Committee of Nghe An province on allowing the establishment of the Vietnam - US Friendship Association of Nghe An province was approved. Accordingly, the Vietnam - US Friendship Association of Nghe An province is a member of the Union of Friendship Organizations of Nghe An province, and at the same time a member of the Central Vietnam - US Association.

Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh - Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam - US Friendship Association spoke at the congress. Photo: Thanh Le

Is a voluntary social organization established to gather and unite Vietnamese organizations and citizens living and operating legally in Nghe An province and other provinces and cities to participate in protecting the rights and legitimate interests of members, strengthening the spirit of solidarity, friendship and cooperation between the Vietnamese people in general, Nghe An people in particular with the American people, contributing to the socio-economic development of the province.

Mr. Tenzin Dawa Thargay - representative of the Embassy of the United States of America in Vietnam spoke at the conference. Photo: Thanh Le

The Association's activities are under the state management of the People's Committee of Nghe An province and departments, branches and sectors in the relevant fields of the Association's activities and in accordance with Vietnamese law.

Comrade Nguyen Van Thong - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee spoke at the congress. Photo: Thanh Le

Speaking at the Congress, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Thong emphasized that the Congress to establish the Vietnam - US Friendship Association of Nghe An province is an important event in the foreign affairs activities of the people of the province.

Delegates attending the congress. Photo: Thanh Le

Affirming that in recent years, under the leadership of the Party and the management of the State, foreign affairs in general and people-to-people diplomacy in particular have achieved many important achievements, contributing to socio-economic development, ensuring security and defense, and enhancing Vietnam's position in the international arena.

The United States is currently one of Vietnam's largest trading partners (Vietnam's 2nd largest export market, Vietnam is the 9th largest trading partner of the United States).

Bilateral trade turnover has increased more than 248 times, from 451 million USD (in 1995) to 111.6 billion USD (in 2021). In terms of investment, the United States currently ranks 11th out of 141 countries and territories investing directly in Vietnam with a total registered capital of about 10.3 billion USD.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hoa Du - Vice Chairman of Vinh University Council delivered a speech at the congress. Photo: Thanh Le

In that flow, the cooperative and friendly relations between Nghe An and US partners in recent years have achieved many positive results, especially in cooperation in searching for missing in action (MIA) soldiers; in humanitarian aid. The establishment and operation of the Vietnam - US Friendship Association is of great significance, a new development in the province's people's foreign affairs. With much room for operation, the Association will be a bridge to promote exchange and cooperation activities in the fields of investment, economy, culture, trade, tourism, services, education and training between the people of the two countries.

The Nghe An Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations presented the book "Ho Chi Minh - symbol of peace and friendship between Vietnam and the world" to delegates. Photo: Thanh Le

Orienting the activities of the Vietnam - US Friendship Association of Nghe An province, comrade Nguyen Van Thong suggested: Immediately after the Congress, the Executive Committee of the Association urgently develops a full-term action program and a foreign affairs plan with American partners to carry out many meaningful activities, contributing to enhancing understanding between the Vietnamese and American people.

Samaritan's Purse International Relief Grant(US) for Ky Son district to overcome the consequences of flood. Photo: Thanh Le

Strengthening foreign information work; providing two-way information to enhance mutual understanding between the people of the two countries, about the results of Vietnam - US cooperation; propagating and promoting the image of the country, people, culture, potential and strengths of Vietnam in general, Nghe An in particular, especially introducing and honoring the revolutionary career of President Ho Chi Minh to the American people through many different channels.

At the same time, promote direct contact between the two sides to promote cooperation in the fields of investment, business, friendly exchange and cultural development, resolving the consequences of war, humanitarian activities, environmental protection, combating climate change, enhancing cooperation in education and training of human resources for Nghe An; focusing on the work of building and developing branches.

Launching the Executive Committee of the Vietnam - US Friendship Association of Nghe An province for the first time, term 2022 - 2027. Photo: Thanh Le

He suggested that the Association, through many channels and flexible and creative forms, mobilize overseas Vietnamese, Nghe An people in the US, Nghe An compatriot associations doing business, living and settling in the US, especially the young generation, to promote patriotism, strengthen the organization of peace activities, solidarity and friendship with the American people, and at the same time turn to the homeland, contributing talents, material resources, experience and knowledge to the cause of socio-economic development of the province.

Comrade Nguyen Nam Dinh delivered the closing speech of the congress. Photo: Thanh Le

The Congress elected the Executive Committee of the Vietnam - US Friendship Association of Nghe An province, consisting of 13 comrades. Comrade Nguyen Nam Dinh - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council was elected as Chairman of the Vietnam - US Friendship Association of Nghe An province, term I, 2022 - 2027./.