The Congress was honoured by the presence of H.E. Mr. Tô Lâm, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and Honorary President of the Viet Nam Red Cross Society, together with H.E. Ms. Bùi Thị Minh Hoài, Member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee, and Secretary of the Party Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and Central Mass Organizations, as well as senior leaders of the Party, the State, ministries, central agencies, mass organizations and local authorities.
The Congress was also honoured to welcome 32 international delegates representing 19 international partners, including National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, international organizations and diplomatic missions, making it one of the largest international representations ever hosted at a Viet Nam Red Cross National Congress.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was represented by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Red Cross Society of China, the Lao Red Cross, the Myanmar Red Cross Society, the Malaysian Red Crescent Society and the Japanese Red Cross Society.
The Congress also welcomed Ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations in Viet Nam, including the Embassy of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore, the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Embassy of the Swiss Confederation, the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa, and the Delegation of the European Union to Viet Nam.
In addition, the Viet Nam Red Cross Society received numerous letters and messages of congratulations from sister National Societies, international partners and friends around the world. Their participation and warm congratulations reflected the Society’s growing international standing, credibility and expanding humanitarian partnerships within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the wider international humanitarian community.
In his keynote address, H.E. General Secretary Tô Lâm, Honorary President of the Viet Nam Red Cross Society, highly commended the Society’s outstanding humanitarian achievements over the past 80 years and reaffirmed the Party and the State’s consistent commitment to humanitarian action. He emphasized that humanitarian work is a noble responsibility shared by the entire political system and society, and expressed confidence that the Viet Nam Red Cross Society would continue to strengthen its role as the country’s leading humanitarian organization, making even greater contributions to social protection, disaster preparedness and response, public health, community resilience and sustainable national development.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Mr. Alexander Matheou, IFRC Regional Director for Asia Pacific, congratulated the Viet Nam Red Cross Society on the successful convening of its 12th National Congress and paid tribute to its remarkable humanitarian achievements over the past eight decades.
Mr. Matheou reaffirmed Viet Nam’s longstanding commitment to International Humanitarian Law following its accession to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, and commended the country’s active engagement within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. He noted that the Congress provided an important opportunity to reaffirm the Movement’s Principles of Unity and Universality, recognizing the Viet Nam Red Cross Society as the sole National Society in Viet Nam recognized under the Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
He also praised the Society’s steadily growing contribution to international humanitarian solidarity, including its USD 500,000 contribution to the IFRC Ukraine Emergency Appeal, as well as its continued support for international humanitarian operations and emergency appeals. These contributions demonstrate the Viet Nam Red Cross Society’s growing role as a responsible, active and trusted humanitarian actor within the global Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Mr. Matheou further expressed appreciation for the continued support of the Party and the State of Viet Nam for humanitarian action. In particular, he welcomed the appointment of H.E. General Secretary Tô Lâm as Honorary President of the Viet Nam Red Cross Society, describing it as a strong reflection of the importance attached to humanitarian action at the highest level of the country.
He also reaffirmed the IFRC’s long-term commitment to accompanying and supporting the development of the Viet Nam Red Cross Society through strategic cooperation in National Society development; disaster risk reduction and emergency response; climate resilience and anticipatory action; health and community-based services; humanitarian diplomacy; volunteer and youth development; digital transformation and innovation; international humanitarian cooperation; and resource mobilization and partnership development.
The Congress reviewed the achievements of the 2022–2026 term, adopted strategic directions and priorities for the 2026–2031 term, and elected the new leadership of the Viet Nam Red Cross Society.
Building on its proud 80-year humanitarian legacy, and as one of the earliest National Societies in Asia to join the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in 1957, the Viet Nam Red Cross Society remains committed to upholding the Fundamental Principles of the Movement, strengthening its institutional capacity, promoting innovation and digital transformation, expanding humanitarian services, mobilizing greater community participation, deepening international cooperation, and contributing actively to regional and global humanitarian efforts.
The successful convening of the 12th National Congress once again demonstrates the Viet Nam Red Cross Society’s determination to develop into a modern, professional, transparent, accountable and trusted National Society, making meaningful contributions to humanitarian action in Viet Nam while contributing to the strength, unity and humanitarian mission of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
