Ha Long Bay is a famous and attractive tourist destination in Quang Ninh province. (Photo: Do ​​Phuong)

In particular, in the face of changes in the times and world situation, the province promptly made strong changes in thinking about foreign affairs, creating an important foundation to help foreign affairs have breakthrough developments.

Step by step reaching out to the ocean

Before opening the border, Quang Ninh was a mountainous, coastal province like a dead end, a place of "mountains and water".

At that time, Hong Quang area often had foreign ships coming in and out to get coal; the foreigners were mainly Chinese, most of whom had lived in Vietnam for a long time as farmers, miners, and fishermen; in addition, there were also French experts (before 1955) and Russian experts (after 1955) who helped us in managing and exploiting coal mines.

Although Quang Ninh province's foreign affairs were given attention very early with the establishment of the Foreign Affairs Department of Hong Quang District in May 1955, foreign affairs activities mainly implemented policies on overseas Chinese and experts, received foreign guests and enforced maritime laws.

Before 1986, our country's foreign policies in general, as well as Quang Ninh's, were affected and influenced by the siege and embargo of hostile forces, while at the same time having to focus on overcoming the severe consequences of the war of national liberation, border war and facing many challenges from the restraint of the centrally planned and subsidized economic mechanism.

During the period 1986-1996, the province's foreign affairs work was mainly associated with expanding foreign economic activities and focusing on attracting foreign direct investment.

Regarding foreign relations, the province continues to cooperate with countries in the socialist bloc. In 1988, Quang Ninh signed a cooperation agreement with Kemerovo (former Soviet Union).

Based on the policy of actively expanding foreign relations, diversifying and multilateralizing, along with the normalization of relations between Vietnam and China (in 1991), bilateral agreements on economic and trade development cooperation between Vietnam and China were signed, at the same time Vietnam joined ASEAN (in 1995), joined ASEM and implemented commitments on the roadmap for tariff reduction...

In the period of 1996-2006, Quang Ninh proactively proposed policies and solutions to actively integrate into the international community, including: Resolution No. 05-NQ/TU (1997) of the Provincial Party Committee, "On a number of policies and measures to expand and improve the effectiveness of foreign economic relations"; Resolution No. 06-NQ/TU, dated November 29, 2001, of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, "On a number of policies and measures to increase the attraction and improve the effectiveness of foreign direct investment and industrial park activities in the period of 2001-2005"...

On that basis, Quang Ninh province has had its own policies to prioritize foreign economic development, attract FDI capital and build infrastructure, so the province's foreign economic activities have achieved important results, creating a premise for new developments in the field of investment cooperation for sustainable development.

From 2006 to present, Quang Ninh's foreign affairs have developed in the direction of: "Strengthening, expanding and improving the effectiveness of foreign affairs activities, proactively integrating internationally".

2014 was the first year the province issued a specialized resolution on foreign affairs and international integration (Resolution No. 17-NQ/TU, dated August 15, 2014), defining the guiding viewpoint: "International integration is the cause of all people and the entire political system under the leadership of the Party and the management of the State.

All mechanisms and policies must promote the proactiveness, positivity and creativity of all organizations and individuals, effectively exploiting the potential strengths of Quang Ninh, the whole society, and all classes of people and ethnic groups in the province.

In 2015, the province established a Steering Committee on international integration and sub-committees on economic integration, cultural and social integration, political integration, national defense and security; established a Steering Committee for foreign information work at the provincial level...

The 14th Provincial Party Congress (2015) oriented: "Effectively exploiting regional cooperation between localities, regions and internationally, seeking assistance from the Central Government, proactively integrating and cooperating internationally, promptly seizing opportunities, identifying and forecasting difficulties and challenges".

Promoting the pioneering role of foreign affairs

During the development process, Quang Ninh has synchronously and comprehensively implemented an independent, self-reliant, proactive foreign policy, actively integrating internationally, creating a favorable international environment for the cause of national construction and defense.

From only having sister relations with Kemerovo (former Soviet Union) and countries in the socialist system, up to now, the province's foreign affairs activities have been deployed in a unified, flexible, comprehensive direction, suitable to the actual situation, contributing significantly to promoting socio-economic development, building a peaceful, friendly, cooperative and mutually developing border.

By 2016, Quang Ninh officially established foreign relations with 13 foreign localities, had economic and trade relations with over 70 countries and territories and with many regional and international organizations and forums.

Outstanding ones include the East Asia Tourism Cooperation Forum EATOF, the Island Tourism Cooperation Forum ITOF; the Vietnam-China 2-corridor-1-belt cooperation; the World's Beautiful Bays Club...

In particular, the province has proactively proposed a number of pioneering and breakthrough integration and foreign affairs mechanisms and policies, which have been highly appreciated by the Central Government, creating many results and achievements for socio-economic development, typically: Being the first province in the country to pilot a number of policies in Mong Cai area, as a basis for the Central Government to develop policies to develop models of border economic zones and replicate them nationwide; being approved by the Government on "a number of specific mechanisms and policies for Quang Ninh province and Van Don economic zone", being the first province to build highways with socialized capital; the first province to implement projects in the form of public-private partnership (PPP)...

From this proactive and positive approach, the province's foreign affairs have improved a lot, international cooperation has been constantly expanded and increasingly deepened, becoming more substantial, and linked to the socio-economic development strategy.

The province expands cooperation with new partners, multilateralizes and diversifies partnerships; identifies strategic partners and potential partners to proactively cooperate, and avoids the passive and scattered situation as before.

Particularly important in the province's foreign relations is the relationship with localities of neighboring China, especially the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The two sides have comprehensively cooperated in all three channels of Party diplomacy, government diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy.

In addition, Quang Ninh has promoted cooperation with Guangdong province (China) in the field of human resource training and research on building special economic zones; cooperation mechanisms in the economic corridor of Yunnan-Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong and Quang Ninh; relations with other localities in China, such as Hainan, Fujian, Zhejiang...

Through these cooperative relationships, Quang Ninh province has gradually established its position as a "gateway and bridge" in the cooperation chain between Vietnam-ASEAN-China.

Quang Ninh maintains traditional friendly cooperation relations with three northern Lao provinces (Luong Pha Bang, Xay Nha Bu Ly, Hua Phan).

Many cooperation contents have been effectively implemented by the province such as exchanging high-level delegations between the two sides to enhance understanding, exchange and learn experiences in the fields of socio-economic development and Party and government building; implementing training for Lao students; cooperating in a number of economic, cultural, tourism and research fields to promote cooperation in the fields of trade and agriculture, taking advantage of the tourism resource potential of each side to promote research and build highly effective tourism products.

In addition, the province also develops new partnerships and potential partners by establishing provincial-level cooperative relationships with localities with similar strengths in ASEAN countries, and some potential partners in Europe, America, the Middle East, and Northeast Asia.

Quang Ninh is promoting the expansion of relations with provinces and cities of Japan and South Korea to promote investment, aviation connections, and establish tourist routes.

Along with that is expanding international exchange activities among ASEAN countries; implementing tourism cooperation programs such as: GMS Greater Mekong Sub-region tourism development cooperation program; Tourism development cooperation program between the three provinces of Quang Ninh (Vietnam) - Luang Prabang (Laos) - Udon Thani (Thailand); tourism cooperation within the East Asia inter-regional framework (EATOF)...

Mr. Kim Jin Tae, Governor of Gangwon Province, South Korea, said: Quang Ninh is a locality with many opportunities for investment, connecting tourism development and other economic sectors, especially when Gangwon Province and Quang Ninh Province have many similar potentials and advantages.

In particular, Quang Ninh has an extremely convenient transportation system, connecting within the province and neighboring localities. Not only that, the world natural wonder Ha Long Bay is an attractive destination loved by many tourists.

Besides tourism, we consider Quang Ninh to be a very attractive investment destination. With outstanding competitive advantages, distinct potential, much room for development and a favorable and open investment-business environment, Quang Ninh is absolutely an ideal investment destination for businesses in Gangwon province in particular and Korea in general.

Cultural diplomacy and economic diplomacy are focused on. Every year, cultural and foreign affairs events are organized in the area, such as Ha Long-Quang Ninh Tourism Week, Cherry Blossom Festival and sending art troupes of the province to participate in cultural events abroad to introduce traditional culture and art to international friends, contributing to paving the way for friendly relations between Quang Ninh and a number of localities and foreign partners.

Therefore, in recent times, the number of foreign visitors coming to visit and explore investment, cooperation and tourism opportunities in various fields has increased; the image and position of the province has been enhanced domestically and internationally...

The province has enhanced the role and resources of the overseas Vietnamese community; has specific mechanisms and policies to attract this force to invest in developing the homeland; and has performed well the task of welcoming international delegations of the Party and State to visit and work in Quang Ninh.