Hanoi (VNA) – The Hanoi Chapter of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) plans to launch another friendship association in late 2018, while expanding its operation and activities for friendship with other countries.

Nguyen Lan Huong, President of the VUFO’s Hanoi chapter, said after 10 years of expanding its area, the population and area of the capital city have surged, along with resources for the city’s growth.

The economic conditions of Hanoi have improved, and attention has been paid to the restoration and development of cultural values, she said, adding that social welfare has been ensured, with a sharp reduction of poverty to a lower rate than the Red River Delta Region and the whole country.

Notably, the city’s external relations have been strengthened by placing a greater emphasis on people-to-people diplomacy.

Recognising the efforts of 24 member units of the VUFO in the city, Huong stressed the need to improve their performance by reforming to increase quality and efficiency.

In the first six months of this year, the Hanoi chapter of VUFO carried out several friendship activities, including an art performance on the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2018, a friendship journey for representatives of diplomatic agencies, international friendship organisations and non-governmental organisations in Vietnam and celebrations of traditional New Year festivals of some Asian countries.

The agency also coordinated with local departments, sectors and localities to promote the image of the capital city to foreigners.

It has shown strong performance in calling for assistance from foreign non-governmental organisations, including Alliance Mission of Germany in a project of friendship residential area in Ba Dinh district and the Republic of Korea’s GCS organisation to a project to set up computer rooms and improve libraries for schools in Dong Anh and Thanh Oai districts.-VNA
VNA