In recent years, people-to-people diplomacy agencies in Dong Nai City have stepped up efforts to mobilize resources from foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to support social welfare activities.
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| Families receiving support to build Friendship houses in Tan Phu ward receive gifts from Latter-day Saint Charities (LDSC) and the Dong Nai City Vietnam-U.S. Friendship Association. |
These resources have provided many families with financial support to build or repair their homes, while numerous households have received essential household appliances. Schools have also received funding to upgrade necessary facilities, helping improve teaching and learning conditions.
Connecting international resources
Since the beginning of 2026, particularly since May, the Dong Nai City Union of Friendship Organizations (DNUFO) and its 10 member friendship associations: the Vietnam-Laos, Vietnam-Cambodia, Vietnam-China, Vietnam-U.S., Vietnam-Russia, Vietnam-France, Vietnam-Japan, Vietnam-South Korea, Vietnam-Thailand and Vietnam-ASEAN friendship associations, have stepped up efforts to mobilize foreign NGOs, foreign associations and foreign-invested enterprises to support projects and non-project assistance programmes across the city.
The resources mobilized have supported a range of programmes to upgrade educational facilities and support students in their schooling. Specifically, 25 new computer sets were presented to Phan Chu Trinh Primary School in Tan Trieu ward; 100 books, 60 gift packages and three water purifiers were presented to teachers and students at Tan Tien Primary School, Tran Quoc Tuan Primary School and Tam Hoa Secondary School, all in Tam Hiep ward. A non-project initiative to improve the quality of child-friendly libraries has also been implemented in Bu Gia Map commune.
Since the beginning of 2026, the DNUFO and its member friendship associations, in coordination with city departments, agencies, sectors and commune- and ward-level People's Committees, have implemented 17 foreign NGO aid projects, with total pledged funding equivalent to more than VND32 billion. The resources have focused on social issues, healthcare, education and training.
Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh, principal of Bien Hoa Primary School, said that through support from the DNUFO, the school had received funding to upgrade its physical education equipment and renovate several deteriorated facilities. In addition, a Korean student volunteer group has organized sports and cultural exchanges as well as extracurricular activities for students.
Alongside support for education, the DNUFO and its member friendship associations have mobilized foreign NGOs, business associations and FDI enterprises to support the construction and handover of 19 Friendship houses to families facing housing difficulties.
In addition, construction of 100 Friendship houses for families facing housing difficulties across the city, with total funding of VND7 billion, began in late August. The houses are expected to be handed over to the beneficiaries for occupancy in the fourth quarter of 2026.
According to Tran Thuy Tien, Standing Vice Chairwoman of the DNUFO, in response to the special 500-day-and-night emulation campaign themed “Solidarity - Discipline - Efficiency - Breakthrough for a civilized and modern Dong Nai,” the union and its member friendship associations have used people-to-people diplomacy to mobilize international resources and work with authorities at all levels to better support social welfare efforts, help disadvantaged families secure stable housing and livelihoods, and improve equipment and facilities at educational institutions.
“Each project represents not only material support but also a symbol of solidarity and sharing, reflecting the sound relations between the Vietnamese people and peoples of other countries,” Tien said.
Promoting people-to-people exchanges
In recent years, the number of foreign NGOs, FDI enterprises and foreign associations establishing partnerships with Dong Nai has continued to grow. The city is currently a partner of more than 60 foreign NGOs, FDI enterprises and foreign associations. Most of these partners have provided or are providing resources for projects and non-project assistance programmes in the city.
To contribute to the effective implementation of the special 500-day-and-night emulation campaign, the DNUFO and its member friendship associations will continue to step up people-to-people exchanges, particularly with people from countries with which the city has established friendship associations.
Tran Thuy Tien said the union and its member friendship associations will continue to promote people-to-people diplomacy through 11,000 core members, who are also association members, and organize friendship exchanges with local residents in communities. These activities will help build an effective channel for connecting with overseas Vietnamese whose relatives are living in the city.
In mobilizing and implementing projects funded by foreign NGOs, the DNUFO and its member friendship associations also work closely with city departments, agencies and sectors as well as communes and wards. This helps ensure that resources reach the right beneficiaries, address actual needs and deliver practical results.
The DNUFO will also continue to proactively develop and update a list of projects seeking assistance and share it with foreign NGOs, foreign associations and FDI enterprises. This will enable partners to quickly access information and gain a clearer overview of the areas in which Dong Nai is seeking assistance.
James Walker, a representative of Latter-day Saint Charities, said the proactive approach taken by Dong Nai authorities, including the DNUFO and its member friendship associations, had helped facilitate cooperation between Latter-day Saint Charities and the city. The organization will continue to prioritize Dong Nai for project implementation in the coming years.
By Thanh Tung, Van Truyen – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha
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