Harnessing foreign NGO resources

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Hai Phong People’s Committee co-organized the Meet Foreign Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) Conference 2026, themed “Partnering with Vietnam in the New Phase of Development” on October 1 at the City Convention and Performance Center.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Committee for Foreign NGOs Affairs Ngo Le Van and Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong People’s Committee Hoang Minh Cuong co-chaired the meeting.

The event was attended by leaders of ministries, Central agencies, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, several localities, departments and sectors in the city, and nearly 300 delegates from around 100 foreign NGOs operating in Vietnam.

Appreciating the persistent support provided by foreign NGOs in healthcare, education, poverty reduction, environmental protection and climate change response, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van said the ministry is taking the lead in coordinating the drafting of a decree to replace Decree No. 58/2022/ND-CP. The draft aims to simplify administrative procedures, enhance openness and transparency, and create the most favorable conditions for the organizations’ operations in Vietnam.

In his welcome remarks, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong People’s Committee Hoang Minh Cuong affirmed that Hai Phong has always linked economic growth with sustainable development and social welfare. During the first eight months of 2026, the city received more than USD 3.58 million in foreign NGO aid.

Hai Phong wishes to further expand cooperation with international organizations in priority areas such as innovation, digital transformation, circular economy, healthcare, education and support for disadvantaged groups. The city authorities are committed to continuing to work alongside these organizations and creating all favorable conditions for aid programs and projects to be implemented smoothly and deliver humanitarian value and practical benefits to the community.

Later, a discussion session took place in a lively atmosphere under the moderation of leaders of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Representatives of ministries and sectors, leaders of Thanh Hoa Province and the cities of Da Nang and Hai Phong, and country representatives of major international organizations such as SNV, The Asia Foundation and Plan International exchanged views on solutions to align foreign NGO resources with local development needs.

As part of the conference, three agreements on development cooperation for the 2026-2031 period were signed, including an agreement between the Tuyen Quang People’s Committee and Plan International in Vietnam on improving living conditions for disadvantaged children and young people, and two agreements between remote communes in Lam Dong Province and ActionAid in Vietnam to support sustainable community development.

HAI HAU - HOANG PHUOC