The melody connects Vietnam-US friendship

On the evening of October 16, at Ho Guom Theater, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) and the Vietnam-US Association solemnly held a ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam-US Friendship Association (October 17, 1945 - October 17, 2025).

VUFO President Phan Anh Son speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: Manh Nguyen)

Attending the program were Mr. Vu Hai Ha, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the National Assembly Party Committee, Member of the National Assembly Standing Committee ; Mr. Phan Anh Son, President of VUFO; representatives of departments, ministries, branches, Vietnam-US Association, research institutes, universities, and enterprises.

On the US side, the event was attended by a number of American businesses, associations, non- governmental organizations in Vietnam and a number of American organizations and individuals who are partners of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-US Association.

Speaking at the ceremony, VUFO President Phan Anh Son said that exactly 80 years ago, when Vietnam had just gained independence, President Ho Chi Minh directed the establishment of the Vietnam-US Friendship Association with the sincere wish: to bring the two nations that once stood together in the Allied ranks to continue to cooperate for peace and progress.

In the early 1990s, the Vietnam-US Association was reorganized on the basis of the Vietnam-US Friendship Association and the Vietnam Committee for Solidarity with the American People, becoming a member of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations.

Together with hundreds of US partners on the people's channel, the Association connected, promoted and fostered the important event in 1995 - establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States.

Since then, VUFO and the Vietnam-US Association have jointly organized thousands of people-to-people exchange activities: welcoming delegations of US congressmen, veterans, scholars, businesses and youth to Vietnam; coordinating cultural, educational, humanitarian, scientific cooperation, and war consequence relief programs.

Those activities, whether small or large, all have profound meanings: building trust, narrowing differences, connecting people and making the friendship between the two peoples a sustainable foundation of Vietnam-US relations.

The President of VUFO expressed his hope that the Vietnam-US Association will continue to promote its core and proactive role: Adhering to the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, promoting people-to-people exchanges as a pillar of the bilateral relationship - turning understanding and sympathy into strategic trust; Expanding the network of friends and areas of cooperation - not only in humanitarian or overcoming the consequences of war, but also in education, culture, science, innovation, trade, environment and sustainable development; Spreading the model of Vietnam-US reconciliation, from two former enemies to becoming Comprehensive Partners, as General Secretary To Lam affirmed: "Over the past thirty years, we have joined hands to create a model in international relations".

"That is a strong message that we can share with the world that sincerity, tolerance and aspiration for peace can turn confrontation into cooperation, pain into trust, and former enemies into comprehensive strategic partners," Mr. Phan Anh Son emphasized.

Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, President of the Vietnam-US Society, speaks. (Photo: Manh Nguyen)

Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, President of the Vietnam-US Society, also affirmed that this year's anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-US Society also commemorates the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's independence and the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-US diplomatic relations. Therefore, the joy is multiplied.

According to the President of the Vietnam-US Association, looking back over eight decades, the Vietnam-US relationship has overcome many ups and downs of history and has developed remarkably, from former enemies to normalization and now a comprehensive strategic partnership, the highest level of partnership between Vietnam and the outside world.

On that basis, many opportunities are opening up for the two countries, such as expanding cooperation in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transformation, along with deepening current areas of cooperation, such as economics, education, tourism, people-to-people exchange and overcoming the consequences of war, or cooperation at the regional and global levels. However, there are also new issues emerging, requiring the two sides to dialogue and resolve, in the spirit of cooperation, understanding and mutual benefit.

The Ambassador expressed his belief that the relationship between the two countries will continue to develop further in the coming time, based on the results achieved over the past 30 years.

Generations of leaders of the Vietnam-US Association received congratulatory flowers from VUFO President Phan Anh Son. (Photo: Manh Nguyen)

The Vietnam-US Association has and will continue to strive and do better in its work, effectively contributing to people-to-people diplomacy and relations between the two countries.

At the Celebration, the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra performed impressive performances of the classics Danube Blue by Johann Strauss II; Titanic Suite ; In Persian of Market ; Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin; and Fanfare for the Common Man by Aaron Copland.

The program also features famous Vietnamese artists such as Tung Duong, Duong Duc Hai, clarinet artist Tran Khanh Quang...

The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra performs at the Hoan Kiem Theater under the baton of international conductor Austin Chance. (Photo: Le An)

The concert was not only a feast of sound, but also a vivid symbol of Vietnam-US cultural exchange. Under the delicate direction of international conductor Austin Chance, each melody was sometimes soaring, sometimes powerful, fully spreading the spirit of classical symphony.

The audience present at the auditorium not only enjoyed world-famous symphonies, but also felt more deeply the spirit of openness, respect and sharing between the two cultures.

The applause was a tribute to the artists and also a warm congratulations for the increasingly strong Vietnam-US friendship.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/giai-dieu-ket-noi-tinh-huu-nghi-viet-my-331216.html