This year, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) will facilitate activities that will contribute to developing foreign relations, as well as the cause of protecting and developing the country.

Among others, activities to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Japan , Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Iran, France, the UK, Belgium, Holland and Finland will take place this year, said Vu Xuan Hong, President of VUFO.

The union will also drive the establishment of friendship organisations with member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), added Hong.

Over the past 20 years, VUFO has helped Vietnam expand its network of international friends, which now includes around 1,000 partners. Through the agency, foreign countries have provided assistance to Vietnam in many areas, such as poverty reduction, environmental protection, healthcare, supporting Agent Orange/dioxin victims and overcoming the consequences of war. -VNA