In late 2025, the Committee for Foreign Non-Governmental Organization Affairs and Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations jointly hosted the 5th International Conference on Cooperation between Vietnam and Foreign Non-Governmental Organizations, titled "Partners for Prosperous and Sustainable Development (IC5), at the national convention center in Hanoi. The event brought together nearly 500 participants including representatives from international organizations, embassies, development agencies, and foreign businesses, alongside Vietnamese government ministries, local authorities, social organizations, and research institutes.

The conference reviewed the results of cooperation between Vietnam and International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) during the 2019–2025 period. It also discussed future priorities to improve the effectiveness of aid and cooperation over the next five years. The conference developed recommendations and proposals for the Government and the Prime Minister to further strengthen partnerships with INGOs, donors, and international enterprises. Key discussions focused on major development areas such as education and high-quality human resources, sustainable poverty reduction, promoting green and circular economy, and greater involvement of the business sector.

Building on the principles of equal partnership, mutual respect, and shared responsibilities for Vietnam's sustainable development, the conference reached a consensus to further deepen and innovate cooperation in the 2026–2030 period. Future efforts will focus on areas that directly benefit people and communities including healthcare, education, science and technology innovation, sustainable rural development, climate change response, addressing the impacts of war and support for vulnerable groups.

HealthBridge's Active Engagement in the Conference

HealthBridge has worked in Vietnam for over 30 years to improve health and reduce health inequities among vulnerable populations. HealthBridge's work focuses on four key programs including Livable Cities, Tobacco Control and NCD Prevention, Nutrition & Food Security, and Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, and Child Health & Rights.

HealthBridge was honored to be invited by the People's Aid Coordinating Committee (PACCOM) to serve as a core member of the organizing team for the Parallel Thematic Workshop 2 on Sustainable Poverty Reduction. In this strategic role, HealthBridge emphasized the importance of integrating health factors into poverty reduction efforts and ensuring that health is recognized as an important dimension in poverty eradication.

Ms. Nguyen Thi An, HealthBridge Vietnam Country Director, co-facilitated Panel Discussion 01: "Promoting Multidimensional and Inclusive Poverty Reduction: International experience and Recommendations for Vietnam" alongside Mr. Trieu Van Binh, Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities, Office of the National Assembly. During the session, Ms. An highlighted the critical link between health and sustainable poverty reduction. The session produced several important insights:

• Strengthening Tripartite Cooperation: Effective coordination among the government, NGOs, INGOs and development partners is essential to mobilize resources and expertise effectively.
• People-Centered Approaches: Development initiatives must place communities at the center, ensuring that interventions respond to local needs and contexts while aligning with national policies.
• A Holistic Multidimensional Focus: Poverty reduction cannot rely on income generation alone. Greater attention is needed for health equity and nutrition to prevent poverty traps and support long-term development. Emerging challenges like climate change must also be addressed proactively.

HealthBridge's contribution at IC5 reaffirmed that health is a key driver of sustainable and inclusive poverty reduction. By elevating health equity and nutrition within national policy dialogue, HealthBridge helped promote a more integrated, people-centered development approach for Vietnam. Moving forward, HealthBridge will continue to champion health-informed solutions that contribute toward a more equitable and resilient future for all.