The Vietnam-US Friendship Association (VUFA) has made significantcontributions to increasing mutual understanding and exchange betweenthe people of Vietnam and the US, said President of the Vietnam Union ofFriendship Organisations (VUFO) Vu Xuan Hong.

Hongmade the remarks at a seminar in Hanoi on October 17, which focused onthe role that people-to-people diplomacy plays in the Vietnam-US ties.

He noted that VUFA, which was established on October17, 1945, was the first bilateral friendship association connectingVietnamese people and those in the rest of the world.

Hong also urged the association to exert more efforts for the growthof bilateral ties, especially in the context that the two countries arecelebrating the 20 th anniversary of normalisation of their relationsnext year.

Besides holding activities to furtherfoster mutual understanding between the two peoples, the associationshould continue working closely with US partners to deal with mattersleft by the war, including issues related to Agent Orange/dioxin andunexploded ordnances.

According to VUFA ChairmanNguyen Tam Chien, the people-to-people ties have contributedsignificantly to strengthening the solidarity and mutual understandingbetween the people of Vietnam and the US during Vietnam’s struggle fornational independence and freedom.

The associationalso played a remarkable role in the process of normalising bilateralrelations through facilitating exchanges and cooperation between socialand people’s organisations in various fields.

Duringthe seminar, participants also gave their ideas for the association tohelp promote the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the USfor the interest of both peoples.-VNA