Hanoi (VNA) – Politburo Resolution No. 06-NQ/TW, issued on May 19, 2026, on implementing the foreign policy set at the 14th National Party Congress, marks an important milestone and serves as a guiding framework for advancing people-to-people diplomacy in a deeper, more effective and more substantive manner in the years ahead, said Colonel Tran Van Thong, deputy head of the liaison board and member of the Standing Board of the Vietnam – Cambodia Friendship Association Central Committee.
Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency, Thong said Vietnam’s diplomacy, inheriting President Ho Chi Minh’s philosophy of “using the invariables to cope with the variables”, has consistently been built on three pillars – Party diplomacy, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy. He noted that the 14th National Party Congress further elevated the role of foreign affairs by defining it as a “key and regular task.”
Thong said the resolution set major orientations that should be translated into concrete actions. He stressed the need to closely follow the guidance of the Party General Secretary and State President at the national conference on studying, disseminating and implementing the resolution.
Among the core measures, he highlighted the importance of building a diplomatic workforce with strong political mettle, adaptability and professional competence, while reinforcing the understanding that foreign affairs are the responsibility of the entire Party, armed forces and people. Party committees, local authorities and businesses at all levels, he said, should all actively participate in foreign affairs.
Thong also called on ministries, sectors and localities to develop clear implementation roadmaps while avoiding formalism, passivity, rigid thinking and complacency.
He further stressed the need to strengthen coordination among Party diplomacy, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy, while integrating foreign affairs more closely with national defence and security safeguarding to build comprehensive diplomacy and create synergy. Within people-to-people diplomacy, he said, the role of friendship associations should be maximised.
Referring to Vietnam – Cambodia relations, he said people-to-people diplomacy has played an increasingly important role in consolidating friendship and cooperation between the two countries for the benefit of their peoples. While Party diplomacy and State diplomacy established the political – legal foundation, people-to-people diplomacy serves as a lasting bridge fostering mutual trust and understanding between the two nations.
Commenting on the fourth conference of the Vietnam – Cambodia Friendship Association and the Cambodia – Vietnam Friendship Association for the 2022–2027 term, held in Ho Chi Minh City in May 2026, Thong said the event aimed to further strengthen traditional friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the peoples of the two countries.
He noted that at the conference, National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh, President of the Vietnam – Cambodia Friendship Association, emphasised the goal of connecting hearts, building trust and passing on the spirit of friendship to future generations. Practical initiatives, including the Nurturing Friendship programme supporting Cambodian students and the bilateral economic cooperation forum, have reaped tangible results.
Thong also recalled that Samdech Men Sam An, Vice President of the Cambodian People's Party, President of the National Council of the Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodia, and President of the Cambodia – Vietnam Friendship Association, reaffirmed the Cambodian people's gratitude for the sacrifices and support of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in helping the country overcome the genocidal regime. She also expressed the hope of continuing cooperation with Vietnam to build a border of peace, friendship and stability while promoting exchanges among younger generations.
Reviewing bilateral cooperation, Thong said people-to-people diplomacy has made practical contributions to building a border of peace, stability and common development, bringing tangible benefits to communities along the shared frontier. Security cooperation has been strengthened through enhanced inter-agency coordination to combat cross-border crime and ensure public order. Bilateral trade has maintained positive growth thanks to improvements in customs and border procedures that facilitated investment and tourism.
He added cooperation has also expanded in health care, education, labour, agriculture and energy. Regular annual meetings among border localities have enabled both sides to promptly address issues arising during implementation, he added./.
