People-to-people diplomacy directed toward border communes

Among Dong Nai’s 95 communes and wards, there are 8 border communes. Recently, together with the entire province, the Dong Nai Union of Friendship Organizations has intensified activities directed toward these border communes, establishing friendship associations, admitting members to the Dong Nai Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association, and strengthening people-to-people exchanges with Cambodian localities.

Chan Sorykan, Consul General of Cambodia in Ho Chi Minh City (far right), and leaders of the Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations visit the Exhibition of Images on Cambodia at the Dong Nai Friendship Culture–Sports Week 2025. Photo: Van Truyen

These efforts have contributed to narrowing the development gap between border communes and inland localities, while enhancing exchanges between the people of Dong Nai and those of the neighboring country.

Building bridges for people-to-people diplomacy

Currently, 10 member friendship associations under the provincial Union of Friendship Organizations have nearly 12,000 members, of whom more than 7,000 members are from the Dong Nai Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association. The association has been highly regarded for organizing diverse people-to-people exchange activities. This has helped attract Vietnamese residents in Dong Nai who hold goodwill toward Cambodia to join the association, while also creating a gathering place for Cambodian citizens living, studying, and working in Dong Nai.

According to Tran Thanh Hung, Chairman of the Dong Nai Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association, the association regularly organizes gatherings on anniversaries of the two countries, featuring cultural exchange performances, culinary exchanges, and thematic talks for Cambodian students studying at universities and colleges in Dong Nai, as well as for association members. On the occasion of the traditional Chol Chnam Thmay New Year of Cambodia, Dong Nai organizes festive activities for Cambodian students, Cambodian citizens, and overseas Vietnamese from Cambodia residing and working in the province.

The eight border communes of Dong Nai province are Bu Gia Map, Dak O, Hung Phuoc, Thien Hung, Tan Tien, Loc Tan, Loc Thanh, and Loc Thanh, with a borderline stretching over 258.939 km. These communes are home to more than 34,800 households.

Chan Sorykan, Consul General of Cambodia in Ho Chi Minh City, stated that Dong Nai has regularly organized people-to-people exchanges in recent years, yielding many positive outcomes and contributing to further strengthening the friendship between the peoples of Viet Nam and Cambodia.

In addition, the Dong Nai Union of Friendship Organizations, the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association of the province, and relevant units periodically organize delegations to visit Cambodian localities. During each trip, the organizers conduct free medical check-ups and medicine distribution, give gifts, and provide household equipment to Cambodian citizens and Vietnamese people living in Cambodia.

To further strengthen friendly people-to-people exchanges between Dong Nai and Cambodian localities, Tran Thanh Hung noted that the association is continually reviewing personnel in border communes in order to establish commune-level Vietnam - Cambodia friendship sub-associations and inter-sub-associations. Through initiatives such as the “Nurturing Friendship” Program and the “Making Friends” Club, the Dong Nai Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association continues to spread the spirit of friendship to younger generations in both countries.

Directing non-governmental resources towards border communes

Alongside building bridges of people-to-people diplomacy, the Dong Nai provincial Union of Friendship Organizations has also mobilized foreign non-governmental resources to support residents in border communes and Vietnamese returning from Cambodia facing difficulties across the province, thereby improving living standards through job creation, housing support, education, and healthcare.

Dieu Thut, a resident of Bu Gia Map commune, shared that since early January 2026, his family has moved into a newly completed solid house funded through non-governmental resources mobilized by the provincial Union of Friendship Organizations. This has been a valuable asset and a great source of encouragement for his family.

To contribute to the implementation of the Project on Comprehensive Investment and Development of Teaching and Learning Quality in the eight border communes of Dong Nai province by 2030, with a vision to 2045 - aligned with synchronized and modern school development, teacher training, IT application, and digital transformation - Tran Thuy Tien, Vice Chairwoman of the provincial Union of Friendship Organizations, said the unit has proactively conducted surveys at schools to compile a list of institutions in need of support and items requiring funding. This list serves as a basis for mobilizing foreign non-governmental organizations. Initial efforts have already attracted the attention of donors. The unit will coordinate with local authorities to promptly implement approved aid packages with the aim of delivering them to the right recipients and ensuring that resources reach the right beneficiaries with transparency and accountability.

In particular, in January 2026, the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Nai Province and the Provincial Military Command signed a coordination program with eight key areas of focus. Specifically, regarding people-to-people diplomacy, the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and the Provincial Military Command will continue advising Party committees and local authorities to strengthen people-to-people exchanges between villages and hamlets along the Vietnam - Cambodia border. Activities include visits, gift-giving, medical check-ups, and cultural, artistic, and sports exchanges for citizens of both countries, as well as for disadvantaged Vietnamese expatriates living and working in Cambodia during holidays and festivals. Additionally, inland communes and wards will form twinning partnerships with border communes to help residents in disadvantaged areas improve their livelihoods.

By Van Truyen – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha