Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung holds talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry (Photo: VGP)

Vietnamese diplomacy has obtained outstanding achievements in line with the Party’s external relations guidelines. Last year, the diplomatic sector made strides toward 3 targets in development, security, and status. External relations have been integrated in politics, economics, national security and defense, and culture with partners on every continent.

Establishing a relationship framework with partners

Vietnam continued to reinforce its existing strategic partnerships with Italy, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and France and established a strategic partnership with another 13 countries. Vietnam signed agreements on comprehensive partnership with Australia and the US, bringing the total number of comprehensive partners to 11.

In the 67 years since President Ho Chi Minh sent a letter to US President Harry S. Truman to express his wish to establish full cooperative ties with the US, Vietnam and the US have elevated their relationship to a comprehensive partnership, opening a new chapter in bilateral cooperation at a higher level of political trust. Vietnamese Ambassador to the US, Nguyen Quoc Cuong, says: "After setting up the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership covering 9 cooperative areas, Vietnam basically formed a network of strategic and comprehensive partnerships with almost every important partner worldwide. These include the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council and key countries in ASEAN. This has elevated Vietnam’s status and prestige in the international arena and helped create a peaceful and stable environment for development."

Fine political and diplomatic relations have enabled Vietnam to attract foreign direct investment. Although the global economy remains weak from the global financial crisis, FDI to Vietnam this year totaled 20 billion USD, 65% more than last year. Political and diplomatic campaigns have supported the negotiation of free trade agreements and recognition of Vietnam’s market economy. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh: "Another 14 countries have recognized Vietnam’s market economy status, bringing the total to 43 countries, including 8 of the G-20. We are negotiating bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements with important partners, including the world’s biggest economies. We have worked against trade protection and discrimination to protect Vietnam’s staple exports in international anti-dumping and subsidy hearing." 

Protecting national interest, raising national position

With appropriate policies and solutions based on a friendly and cooperative spirit and abiding by international law, the diplomatic sector has promoted its soft power in protecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The number of serious incidents on the sea has diminished. The East Sea issues have not affected Vietnam’s relations with other countries.

This year, Vietnam decided to join the UN peacekeeping forces. Vietnam was elected President of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, a member of UNESCO’s Inter-governmental Committee of the 1972 Convention on World Heritages, and a member of the UN Human Rights Council. These achievements have built an image of Vietnam as active and responsible with regard to human issues. Vietnamese Ambassador to the UN Le Hoai Trung says: "The UN has noticed Vietnam’s positive views on various issues and considers Vietnam a good partner. Vietnam has voiced its stand on major international issues, including non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, anti-terrorism, preventing climate change, combating cross-border crimes, and protecting the rights of women, children, and disadvantaged people."

Next year, Vietnam will continue to promote its diplomatic achievements and contribute initiatives to regional and international issues with the spirit of a “responsible member of the international community”. Diplomatic results are a firm platform for Vietnam to successfully implement its national construction and defense targets.