## 80 Years of Vietnamese Diplomacy: A Glorious History
Vice Primer Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bui Thanh Son.
During 80 years of growth and development,under the leadership of the party and the direct guide of President Ho Chi Minh,Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs,the Vietnamese diplomatic service has had a glorious and proud history.When reviewing the last 80 years, how do you evaluate, Vice Prime Minister and Minister, the role, the outstanding milestones and the important contributions of the diplomatic service to the struggle for independence and freedom, and the construction and development of the country?
Born in the historic August 1945, the diplomatic service had the honor and pride of having been founded and established directly by President Ho Chi Minh, a brilliant leader and an exceptional diplomat. Throughout the last 80 years, diplomacy has made important contributions, leaving an indelible mark on each historical stage, from the period of independence to the war of resistance against colonialism and imperialism, and the construction and protection of the homeland today.
Not only was the Foreign Prime Minister, President Ho Chi Minh sat the foundations of modern Vietnamese diplomacy.
Given a critical situation,in front of internal and external enemies in the early days of the country’s foundation,the diplomatic service led the struggle to preserve the achievements of the revolution,preserve the popular government and prolong the time to prepare the forces for a long-term resistance war. The diplomatic maneuvering specimens of the preliminary agreement of March 6, 1946 and the provisional agreement of September 14, 1946, as well as the tireless efforts in the Dalat conference and in Fontainebleau, said that the country maintained the most proactive position in the arduous circumstances of the time.
During the resistance war against colonialism and imperialism, diplomatic service not only contributed to it, but also actively fought to break the siege and isolation, expand relations with the outside world and obtain the support of international allies. Together with military and political fronts, Vietnamese diplomacy promoted victories on the battlefield, forcing countries to sit at the negotiating table. The Geneva Agreement and the Paris Agreement were not only brilliant diplomatic milestones, but also created opportunities for the great victory to completely release the south, unify the country and end 30 years of hard war against foreign invaders of the Vietnamese peopel.
In 1973, Vietnamese diplomacy managed to sign the Paris Agreement to end war and restore peace in vietnam. (In the photo: the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nguyen Duy Trinh, signed the Paris Agreement).this is a lesson on how to guarantee, above all and above all, national and ethnic interests. In the third diplomatic conference of 1964, President Ho Chi Minh advised that diplomacy “should always serve the interests of the nation”, and its ideology has been imbued and implemented by generations of leaders and diplomats Vietnamese throughout the last 80 years of history. This is also a lesson about the unified and absolute leadership of the party, its sensitivity to evaluate and understand the situation, and its decisive decision. Since its inception, our party steadfast that “the essentials for the victory of the revolution is to have a communist party with a correct political line, with a centralized discipline, closely linked to the masses, with experience in war and maturity.”
it is also a lesson on how to combine internal force with external, the national force with the force of the time to create a great joint force, thus mobilizing the enormous support, both material and spiritual, of progressive humanity to support Vietnam. It is also a firmness lesson in principles, but adaptability in strategies, according to the motto “respond to all changes with the immutable”; a lesson about the importance of solidarity and consensus; a skilled application of “five knowledge” (knowing oneself, knowing others, knowing the times, knowing when to stop and no when to change); the ability to create and take advantage of opportunities; and a diplomatic approach that helps conquer people’s hearts, humanity, reason and morality.
After the gathering of the country, the diplomatic sector played an important role in the construction of peace, gradually integrating the country to the region and the world and signing hundreds of international agreements and treaties.
These lessons have contributed to the formation of fundamental values, building an imbued diplomatic sector of national identity and the Vietnamese people; always for the benefit of the nation and the people, serving the country and the people; A brave, resilient diplomatic sector, as well as kind, cunning and imbued with the spirit, courage and intelligence of the Vietnamese people, forged throughout thousands of years of history.At the same time, the Vietnamese diplomatic sector also has a harmonious combination of national and international factors, absorbing the essence from abroad and making positive and responsible contributions to world politics, global economy and human civilization.
Vietnam’s Economic Diplomacy: Driving Development and Integration
Economic diplomacy is a key driver of sustainable development and deep integration for vietnam. It has been implemented in coordination with political diplomacy, national defense, security, and culture, forming a unified front that effectively contributes to the country’s innovation and international integration.
To date, Vietnam has established economic and commercial relations with over 230 countries and territories. The nation has signed and implemented 17 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), including many new-generation agreements, and is actively pursuing negotiations with other partners. Thanks to the positive contributions of economic diplomacy, Vietnam currently ranks among the 32 leading countries globally in terms of GDP and among the 20 with the largest trade scale and foreign investment attraction.The active implementation of Directive 15 of the Secretariat on Economic Diplomacy has positioned Vietnam as an critically important link in regional and global markets, expanded cooperation into new fields, deepened participation in supply chains, and improved its position in the global value chain.
In the context of intertwined challenges and opportunities, and aligned with the country’s development objectives – particularly the double-digit growth goal and the targets for the nation’s centennial – Vietnam’s economic diplomacy will prioritize four key tasks.
Firstly, it will focus on maximizing the benefits of existing free trade and investment agreements, particularly in untapped sectors. This includes opening new sources of investment and financing, especially from corporations and large investment funds, and converting recently improved relationships into practical and effective economic cooperation programs and projects.Secondly, economic diplomacy will actively contribute to growth promotion, focusing on renewing traditional growth engines – investment, exports, and consumption – while concurrently fostering new engines such as science and technology, digital change, green growth, the circular economy, and the knowledge economy.
Thirdly, the focus will be on strengthening economic security, ensuring supply chain resilience, and proactively responding to global economic fluctuations and protectionist trends. This includes diversifying markets and partners, enhancing domestic production capacity, and promoting strategic industries.
economic diplomacy will prioritize institutional reform and capacity building. This involves improving the quality of research and forecasting, enhancing the skills of diplomatic staff, and strengthening coordination between central and local levels to create a more efficient and effective economic diplomacy apparatus. These efforts will ensure Vietnam is well-equipped to navigate the evolving global economic landscape and achieve its ambitious development goals.# vietnam Prioritizes Engagement with its Overseas community
Vietnam is increasingly focused on strengthening its ties with its global community, recognizing its vital role in the nation’s development. Recent legislative changes and high-level directives demonstrate a commitment to fostering a supportive habitat for Vietnamese experts and intellectuals abroad.
The Vietnamese government has enacted numerous new laws designed to facilitate engagement with its diaspora. These include the Law of Nationality, wich streamlines the process of obtaining or regaining Vietnamese citizenship while allowing individuals to retain their foreign nationalities, and the Law of Science, Technology and Innovation, granting greater autonomy to researchers and scientific organizations.
Recently, Secretary General Lam urged the swift implementation of special preferential policies to attract and support Vietnamese experts and intellectuals from overseas, encouraging their participation in national development.This emphasis on strengthening the Vietnamese community abroad is seen as a key driver for the country’s progress.
the Secretary General to Lam and Delegates held the inauguration ceremony of the General Vietnam Consulate in the city of Busan (South Korea, August 13, 2025).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working closely with other agencies to establish a robust legal and political framework that encourages Vietnamese experts and intellectuals to contribute to the country. This includes creating an open and attractive work environment with competitive compensation and modern facilities, regardless of sector (public or private), to maximize research and innovation.
Efforts are also underway to simplify administrative procedures for Vietnamese citizens abroad who wish to return to live, invest, or conduct business in Vietnam. The government plans to leverage technology to enhance community connections and support the development of Vietnamese intellectual resources overseas, with a particular focus on younger generations.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents between the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Australian Foreign Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Canberra, March 7, 2024).
These initiatives are all geared towards building a prosperous and thriving Vietnam.