The Vietnam-US Friendship Association (VUFA) has made significant contributions to increasing mutual understanding and exchange between the people of Vietnam and the US, said President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Vu Xuan Hong.

Hong made the remarks at a seminar in Hanoi on October 17, which focused on the role that people-to-people diplomacy plays in the Vietnam-US ties.

He noted that VUFA, which was established on October 17, 1945, was the first bilateral friendship association connecting Vietnamese people and those in the rest of the world.

Hong also urged the association to exert more efforts for the growth of bilateral ties, especially in the context that the two countries are celebrating the 20 th anniversary of normalisation of their relations next year.

Besides holding activities to further foster mutual understanding between the two peoples, the association should continue working closely with US partners to deal with matters left by the war, including issues related to Agent Orange/dioxin and unexploded ordnances.

According to VUFA Chairman Nguyen Tam Chien, the people-to-people ties have contributed significantly to strengthening the solidarity and mutual understanding between the people of Vietnam and the US during Vietnam’s struggle for national independence and freedom.

The association also played a remarkable role in the process of normalising bilateral relations through facilitating exchanges and cooperation between social and people’s organisations in various fields.

During the seminar, participants also gave their ideas for the association to help promote the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the US for the interest of both peoples.-VNA