Addressing a conference in Hanoi on March 4, Mr Khiem, who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs, stressed that in the current context of international integration, people-to-people diplomacy is part and parcel of the diplomatic sector.

He acknowledged the achievements of people-to-people diplomacy in 2008, saying it helped foster friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and other nations while promoting the country’s image abroad so as to create a favourable environment for national socio-economic development.

According to Mr Khiem, in 2009, the people’s diplomacy should overcome weaknesses in its coordination mechanism and management, enhance public communications and pay more attention to personnel training to boost the country’s foreign relations bilaterally and multilaterally.

VietNamNet/VOV