80 years of diplomatic service: Vietnam's story inspires the world

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son - Photo: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

To date, Vietnam has had strategic and comprehensive partnerships with 38 countries, including all permanent members of the Security Council, G7 countries, most G20 countries, and is an active member of more than 70 international organizations.

"It can be said that Vietnam's success story has inspired the international community," Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son shared with the press on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Diplomatic sector (August 28, 1945 - August 28, 2025).

During the period of national liberation struggle, Vietnam was considered a symbol of the struggle for independence and freedom, the embodiment of a heroic and resilient country. Today, Vietnam is highly appreciated from the perspective of a country that is rising strongly, becoming a successful model in socio-economic development, with an increasing role and voice in the international arena.

Many leaders of countries and international organizations highly appreciate Vietnam's role in the international arena. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly mentioned Vietnam as a "model of peace and sustainable development", he shared.

Over eight decades, under the leadership of the Party and State, Vietnamese diplomacy has continuously grown strongly.

Lessons still valid

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son pointed out that the diplomatic sector was established in August 1945, and was honored and proud to have been founded and laid the foundation by President Ho Chi Minh.

During the 80 years that followed, diplomacy has made important contributions, leaving a strong mark on each historical stage.

In the early days of the country's founding, diplomacy took the lead in fighting to maintain the achievements of the revolution, preserve the people's government, and prolong the time to prepare forces for a long-term resistance war.

During the resistance war against colonialism and imperialism, diplomacy served both the resistance war and the struggle to break the siege and isolation, expand relations with the outside world and gain support from international friends.

The Geneva Agreement and the Paris Agreement were not only brilliant diplomatic milestones but also created opportunities for the great victory of completely liberating the South, unifying the country, and ending 30 years of arduous war against foreign invaders of the Vietnamese people.

Entering the stage of national reconstruction after the war, diplomacy was the pioneering force in gradually breaking the siege and embargo, helping the country overcome socio-economic difficulties.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, being forged in difficult times has left Vietnamese diplomacy with many valuable lessons.

That is a lesson about ensuring the highest, above all and first of all national and ethnic interests; the unified, absolute leadership of the Party, being sensitive in assessing and grasping the situation, and decisive in making decisions.

It is also a lesson in combining internal and external forces, combining national strength with the strength of the times to create great combined strength.

The lesson is to be steadfast in principles but flexible in strategies according to the motto "respond to all changes with the unchanging"...

General Secretary To Lam and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung shake hands at talks on August 11 - Photo: Yonhap

Diplomacy in the New Era

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the world is facing a turning point. In the country, the coming period is of pivotal importance, a sprint in successfully implementing the development goals until 2030, with a vision to 2045, bringing the country into a new era.

With the country's new position and strength, Vietnam's diplomacy is expected to further promote its role, contributing to the country's development in the new era.

Firstly, foreign affairs need to promote its pioneering role in creating and consolidating a favorable foreign situation, deepening relations with other countries, and promoting effective and sustainable cooperation in all aspects.

Second, through economic diplomacy, science and technology diplomacy, foreign affairs play a role in paving the way, seizing opportunities, resolving challenges, creating new development momentum for the country, and effectively combining internal and external forces.

Third, constantly enhance Vietnam's contributions to peace, cooperation, development and progress of humanity.

Fourth, promote the nation's "soft power", increase Vietnam's image and position in the international arena commensurate with the country's historical and cultural stature, political and economic position.

Fifth, build a comprehensive, modern, professional Vietnamese foreign affairs and diplomacy that meets the requirements of the new era, is on par with the region and reaches the international level.

According to him, in the "four pillars", Resolution No. 59 marks a turning point in innovation of thinking and approach in the country's integration process.

International integration now does not stop at positioning Vietnam as a "latecomer", "participant", "joiner" country, but rather determines the position of a country that "builds", "shapes" and "leads" cooperation frameworks suitable to the country's new conditions and capacities.

The Deputy Prime Minister also expressed his hope that countries, partners and international friends will continue to support and accompany the Vietnamese people in the new era.

Leveraging diplomatic power

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta attended the AFF high-level plenary session on the morning of February 26 in Hanoi - Photo: NAM TRAN

On this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister also pointed out the importance of economic and cultural diplomacy and the work of attracting Vietnamese intellectuals abroad.

Accordingly, economic diplomacy will focus on a number of priority tasks, including maximizing the benefits of existing trade and investment agreements ; focusing on renewing traditional growth drivers and strongly promoting new growth drivers.

Meanwhile, cultural diplomacy contributes to raising the level of multilateral diplomacy and enhancing the country's position. Vietnam's role in important management mechanisms such as the World Heritage Committee, the Executive Council, the Intergovernmental Committee on the 2003 Convention and the 2005 Convention has been increasingly consolidated and enhanced, creating the "Vietnam phenomenon" at UNESCO.

Cultural diplomacy will continue to be implemented in a professional, modern, creative and adaptive manner to new trends of the times, practically serving the cause of national construction and development.

Regarding the work of Vietnamese people abroad, the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW which sets out policies to attract and employ Vietnamese experts and scientists abroad to return to the country to work and live.

The National Assembly also issued the amended Law on Nationality, removing obstacles in acquiring/returning Vietnamese nationality while retaining foreign nationality; the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation, granting more autonomy to individuals and scientific research organizations.

Most recently, General Secretary To Lam also requested to urgently propose and recommend special preferential policies to create the most favorable conditions for Vietnamese experts and intellectuals abroad to participate and contribute to the country's development.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to closely coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to continue creating a favorable legal framework and policies so that overseas Vietnamese experts and intellectuals can feel secure in staying and contributing to the country.

Tuoitre.vn

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/80-nam-thanh-lap-nganh-ngoai-giao-cau-chuyen-viet-nam-truyen-cam-hung-cho-quoc-te-20250821201643308.htm