Mr. Nguyen Van Khang - Vice Chairman of the Vietnam - France Friendship Association of Dong Nai province (Association), said that in the last term (for the periof from 2018 to 2023), the Executive Committee's personnel frequently changed. The majority of the Association's Executive Committee members are teachers and part-time officers from departments and agencies, so their participation in the Association's activities is limited. Besides, the mobilization of resources for the Association's activities remains difficult. However, with efforts, the Association annually organizes one to two large-scale activities. Initially, the Association has well promoted its role as a bridge, promoting Vietnam-France relations, attaining remarkable achievements.

The innovative operational methods are actively enhanced

Since its establishment, the Association has promtly connected and organized many people-to-people diplomacy activities, celebration for the Anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, associated with the International Francophonie Day, the French National Day and the cultural exchange activities, including the 45^th, 46^th, 48^th, 49^th and 50^th Anniversaries of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France.

 

Vice Chairman of Dong Nai province People's Committee Nguyen Son Hung (at the right position) and Mr. Vincent Floreani - Consul General of France in Ho Chi Minh City at the 230^th Anniversary of the National Day of the French Republic

It is remarkable that the Association's activities are all accompanied by Consulate General of France and French Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, the French non-governmental organizations. In each event, the Association integrates a series of activities such as: exhibitions, cultural exchanges, sports competitions, speech contests, study abroad consultants... Thereby, the Association accelerates propaganda activities, promotes the images of the country and people of Dong Nai to French friends, contributing to the successful implementation of the Party and State's policies on people-to-people diplomacy.

Ms. Emmanuelle Pavillon-Grosser - Consul General of France in Ho Chi Minh City said that “I highly appreciate the activities of Dong Nai province Authority and the Vietnam-France Friendship Association of Dong Nai province. In the coming time, in my position, I shall do the job to the best of my ability and be a bridge to enhance the solidarity, friendship and cooperation between Dong Nai province and French localities.

In addition, during the past term, the Association connected well with the Consulate General of France and the French Institute in Ho Chi Minh City; invited and received the delegates to visit some places of interests in the province or pay a courtesy call on provincial leaders... In particular, the Association had the pleasure to invite Ms. Jeanne Goffinet, representative of the France - Vietnam Friendship Association in Paris to participate in the exchange activity on the occasion of the 46^th Anniversary on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France; simultaneously, organized exchanges with French volunteer groups to support the construction of friendship houses in the province...

The Francophone movement is boosted

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Khang, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam - France Friendship Association of the province, since the 2002 - 2003 school year, the French language program has been taught at schools. There are currently 3 schools implementing this educational activity: Nguyen Du Primary School, Thong Nhat Secondary School and Tran Bien High School with approximately 300 students.

Delegates and students at the Awarding Ceremony of contests to welcome the 2^nd Congress of Vietnam - France Friendship Association of Dong Nai province

During the past term, each year, the Association coordinates with the French Institute in Vietnam to organize an exchange, consultation and exchange program on study opportunities in France, with the participation of a large number of students and parents. In addition, the Association mobilizes the French Institute in Vietnam to donate hundreds of books and reference materials in French for the libraries of French language teaching schools in the province. Moreover, the Association has connected to register teachers of French to receive French language training courses during the summer, online classes and participate in other activities organized by the French Institute.

Thanks to the connection of the Association, teachers can improve their skills, help many generations of students develop their ability and use French as an effective tool for their career in the future. Every year, at Tran Bien High School (in Bien Hoa), there are about 3-5 students studying abroad in the French Republic.

Along with the Vietnam - France cultural exchange activities, many other activities are also promoted. Specifically, since 2019, the Association has successfully organized Painting Contests with the theme: “Vietnam-France Friendship” and French Speech Contests. Each contest attracts hundreds of students from schools in the province. This is a useful playground for students to apply French language and knowledge about the country and people of France into their paintings and presentations; thereby, promoting understandings of France and the relationship between Vietnam and France

Ms. Anne-Laure Vincent, French Cooperation Attaché and delegates at the Painting Contest to welcome the 2^nd Congress of Vietnam - France Friendship Association of Dong Nai province

Mai Nha Phuong (a 3^rd grade student, from Nguyen Du Primary School in Bien Hoa city) has just won the first prize in the 2023 Vietnam-France Friendship Painting Contest. She said that this is the third consecutive time she has participated in the Contest and won prizes. Nha Phuong is very happy because she not only learns French at school but also has the opportunity to participate in meaningful activities organized every year by Dong Nai province Vietnam - France Friendship Association.

It can be said that, in the first term, with many difficulties and challenges, the Association has shown its initiative and always enhanced innovative forms and approaches that bear the mark of people-to-people diplomacy. The Association's activities contribute to strengthening understandings and cultivating solidarity and cooperation between Vietnam and France; building a positive social foundation for peace, cooperation and development of the two nations.