Since its establishment, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President Ho Chi Minh, along with the forces working on people-to-people diplomacy, VUFO and its member organizations have been making great contributions in mobilizing the sympathy, support, solidarity and cooperation of the world's people in the Vietnamese struggles for national independence, and in the cause of national construction and defence.

In the current process of innovation, industrialization, modernization and international integration, VUFO and its member organizations have been continuously strengthened and developed, promoting its pivotal role in people-to-people diplomacy, contributing to strengthening and expanding friendship with people of other countries, mobilizing support, solidarity and international resources to serve socio-economic development, protect national interest, enhance Viet Nam's image and international position, firmly protect the socialist Fatherland of Viet Nam and contribute to the world people's movement for peace, national independence, sustainable development, justice, democracy and social progress.

MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

The Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) is a socio-political organization specializing in people diplomacy for peace, solidarity, friendship and people-to-people cooperation, and is a member of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF). VUFO plays a core role in people-to-people diplomacy and foreign non-governmental affairs; works in foreign political area and is an integral part of Viet Nam's specialized foreign affairs force.

November 17, 1950 is VUFO Traditional Day.

 GUIDING PRINCIPLES

VUFO operates within the framework of the Charter adopted by the National Congress and approved by the Prime Minister; on the principles of voluntarism, democracy, equality, publicity, transparency, not for profit purposes, and in compliance with the State’s Constitution and Law.

VUFO operates under the Party’s guidelines and directions; and the State management of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as ministries and branches related to the operation of VUFO in accordance with the State’s Law; is well-organized; VUFO permanent personnels are guaranteed with policies and working conditions to perform and fulfill the political tasks assigned by the Party and the State.

VUFO operates in a national scale, the headquarters of VUFO is located at 105A Quan Thanh Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.

MANDATE

1. Advertise the principles and operational purposes of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO);

2. Establish relationships of peace, solidarity, friendship, and cooperation with foreign corresponding organizations, non-governmental organizations, and individuals;

3. Expand, diversify and multilateralize partnerships to contribute to consolidating and strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the people of Viet Nam and the people of other countries, mobilizing the concurrence, support, solidarity and cooperation of the world's people for the national building and protection of the Vietnamese people;

4. Participate in mobilizing public opinion and providing authentic information to protect national interests, especially on issues of democracy, human rights, national sovereignty; promote Viet Nam's image in the international arena. Engage in attracting overseas Vietnamese to contribute to the homeland; participate in activities to strengthen friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and other countries in areas of economics, culture, education, science, technology, etc;

5. Participate in regional and international forums, mechanisms and activities of the world's people for the national interests and for peace, sustainable development, justice, democracy and social progress;

6. Act as the standing agency for the Committee for Foreign NGO Affairs (COMINGO) and be the focal point in working with and mobilizing foreign non-governmental aid in accordance with Viet Nam’s laws and regulations;

7. Provide consultations to develop legal documents related to people-to-people diplomacy; make recommendations to competent agencies on issues related to VUFO’s development and fields of operation;

8. Research and recommend on regional and international issues related to VUFO’s fields of operation and people-to-people diplomacy;

9. Guide and support member organizations in activities of peace, solidarity, friendship, people-to-people cooperation and foreign non-governmental aid mobilization and coordination;

10. Organize training and professional development, provide other services in accordance with Viet Nam’s laws and regulations;

11. Manage and use funding sources in accordance with Viet Nam’s laws and regulations;

12. Perform other tasks assigned by competent authorities in accordance with Viet Nam’s laws and regulations.