It is a must to mention the Hanoi’s foreign affairs which have greatly contributed to the mutual success of this city. The development and expansion of friendship relations and gradual multilateral cooperation helps promote Hanoi’s position in the international arena. Besides the City’s foreign affairs, the people-to-people diplomacy work carried out by the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations (HAUFO) has greatly contributed to the strengthening of solidarity and friendship between Hanoi and other cities in the world. From only 3 member friendship associations since its establishment in 1992, from then till now, HAUFO has 24 friendship associations and member organizations with hundreds of branches from units and districts with about 30.000 members. HAUFO has established cooperation with more 40 partners in the region and the world to hold activities for peace, friendship, culture and tourism in order to spread the image of Hanoi Capital to international friends and to help them understand the people and culture of Vietnam – the country of a thousand years of civilization. Those activities have provided greatly opened new opportunities for cooperation in various fields, special the field of economy, trade, tourism, etc…On the other hand, HAUFO also calls for and receives sponsorship from friends in the world, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, to support hunger and poverty reduction projects in Hanoi. HAUFO has always proved itself as a friendship connection and a foreign affairs channel, so that both Vietnam and Hanoi can engage in the integration process on the basis “Vietnam wants to be a friend and a reliable partner with all nations in the international community, striving for peace, independence and development”.

For foreigners who study, work and live in Hanoi, they know about HAUFO through the activities they take part in. They consider HAUFO the “house of friendship” where they can meet each others and are warmly and honestly welcome.

Nguyen Lan Huong

Chairwoman

The Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations