Vietnam-Spain Friendship Association holds Fourth National Congress
WVR - On the morning of August 11, in Hanoi, the Vietnam-Spain Friendship Association solemnly held its Fourth National Congress for the 2026-2031 term, reviewing its activities during the 2018-2025 term, setting out directions for the new period, and consolidating its fourth-term Executive Committee.
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| Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Ngoc Hung presents a commemorative flag to the Vietnam-Spain Friendship Association. (Source: Cong Luan Newspaper) |
The Congress was attended by Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations; Ms. Pham Thu Hang, Deputy Director General of the Department of Non-Governmental Organizations under the Ministry of Home Affairs; Mr. Ha Minh Tu, Deputy Head of the People's Foreign Relations Committee of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; Mr. Do Hoang Linh, Deputy Chief of the Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador-designate to Spain; and Ms. Carmen Cano de Lasala, Ambassador of Spain to Vietnam.
Representing friendship organizations with European countries were Ms. Nguyen Thuy Anh, former member of the Party Central Committee, former Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Policies and Strategies and President of the Vietnam-France Friendship and Cooperation Association, together with representatives of the leadership of the Vietnam-Russia, Vietnam-Germany, Vietnam-Denmark and Vietnam-Türkiye friendship associations, as well as friendship organizations from a number of provinces and cities.
The Congress also brought together Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi, former member of the Party Central Committee, former General Director of Vietnam News Agency and President of the Vietnam-Spain Friendship Association for the third term, representatives of friendship unions in localities, leaders of the Association's branches, and 140 official delegates representing members nationwide.
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| Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi, President of the Vietnam-Spain Friendship Association for the third term, delivers the opening remarks at the Fourth National Congress for the 2026-2031 term. (Photo: Trung Anh) |
In his opening remarks, Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi emphasised that the Fourth National Congress for the 2026-2031 term is taking place as Vietnam-Spain friendship and cooperation continue to develop positively across a wide range of fields.
According to him, political ties between the two countries have continued to strengthen, while cooperation in economics, trade, investment, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges has expanded. In particular, the two countries are actively preparing activities to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027, creating fresh momentum and opportunities to deepen bilateral ties.
Against this backdrop, people-to-people diplomacy continues to play an important role in strengthening trust, enhancing mutual understanding and building a solid social foundation for Vietnam-Spain relations.
Assessing the past term, the President of the Vietnam-Spain Friendship Association for the third term said the Association's activities were carried out under favorable conditions, with the attention and guidance of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, coordination and support from the Embassy of Spain in Vietnam and its partners, as well as the efforts of the Executive Committee and members.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi said the Fourth National Congress would undertake a comprehensive review of the results achieved during the previous term, candidly identify shortcomings and their causes, and thereby set directions, objectives and solutions for the 2026-2031 period. The Congress would also amend and supplement the Association's Charter and consolidate the new Executive Committee.
With the spirit of “Solidarity - Friendship - Cooperation - Development”, the Vietnam-Spain Friendship Association expressed its confidence that delegates would demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility, democracy and intellectual engagement, contributing substantive and thoughtful recommendations to achieve the goals set by the Congress and further promote friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Spain in the new period.
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| Mr. Nguyen Hai Anh, Vice President of the Vietnam-Spain Friendship Association, presents the report reviewing the 2018-2025 term and outlining the Association's directions for 2026-2031. (Photo: Trung Anh) |
Presenting the report at the Congress, Mr. Nguyen Hai Anh, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Vietnam Red Cross Society and Vice President of the Vietnam-Spain Friendship Association, noted that the Association's 2018-2025 term unfolded amid significant international developments, growing geopolitical competition, the COVID-19 pandemic and a range of non-traditional security challenges.
Against this backdrop, Vietnam-Spain relations continued to develop positively, with bilateral trade growing by an average of around 8.7% annually during 2019-2024, creating greater room for people-to-people diplomacy.
According to the Vice President, the past term can be summed up in four keywords: “Maintain - Innovate - Connect - Develop”, with activities ranging from friendship exchanges, humanitarian assistance and cultural promotion to business, education and training links.
Specifically, the Association mobilised and sent 1,000 protective suits to support the Spanish people during the COVID-19 pandemic, expressed solidarity with residents of Valencia following the severe floods in 2024, and participated in various activities promoting Spanish culture in Vietnam, supporting the teaching and learning of Spanish, and connecting businesses and educational institutions from the two countries.
Drawing lessons from the implementation of activities throughout the term, Mr. Nguyen Hai Anh highlighted four key takeaways for the new term: first, closely follow the foreign policy of the Party and State and the orientations of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations; second, remain proactive and flexible while regularly renewing the content and methods of operation; third, make greater use of the strengths of economic, cultural and educational cooperation to broaden participation, particularly among young people and the business community; and fourth, strengthen coordination with the diplomatic missions of the two countries and media partners.
Building on these foundations, the 2026-2031 term will shift the focus from maintaining existing ties towards creating valuable connections, with an emphasis on substantive cooperation in economics, culture, education, science and technology, digital transformation and people-to-people exchanges. The approach is expected to contribute to further deepening and sustainably developing Vietnam-Spain relations.
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| Mr. Vu Duy An, Director of External Relations and Development at Bao Son Group, Standing Committee Member and Vice President of the Vietnam-Spain Friendship Association in Hanoi, speaks at the Congress. (Photo: Trung Anh) |
During the 2018-2025 term, the Executive Committee of the Vietnam-Spain Friendship Association comprised 31 members, including 11 members of the Standing Committee and three members of the Inspection Committee. Most members work in ministries, sectors, localities and businesses with cooperation ties with Spain, giving the Association an advantage in mobilizing resources, expanding its partner network and implementing people-to-people diplomatic activities.
At the same time, the fact that many members hold concurrent positions poses challenges that require a flexible coordination mechanism to ensure continuity and effectiveness in the Association's operations.
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| Ms. Ha Thi Thanh Huong, Vice President of the Vietnam-Spain Friendship Association in Hanoi, speaks at the Congress. |
At the Fourth National Congress for the 2026-2031 term, the Vietnam-Spain Friendship Association also elected its new Executive Committee and re-elected Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi as President of the Association.
Established on May 4, 2004, the Vietnam-Spain Friendship Association is a nationwide social organization and a member of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations. It aims to strengthen solidarity and friendship, promote mutual understanding, and advance cooperation between the peoples of Vietnam and Spain. As part of people-to-people diplomacy, the Association serves as a bridge between the two countries, organizing exchanges and delegation visits, promoting culture and education, and supporting cooperation in economics, trade, science, technology and tourism. It currently has member organizations in Hanoi and Nghe An, as well as the Vietnam-Spain Friendship Sub-Association at Hoa Sua Economic and Tourism Intermediate School. |
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