Party leader underscores foreign affairs in “Vietnamese bamboo" diplomacy

The conference is seen as an opportunity for the entire diplomatic and foreign affairs sector nationwide to look back on the nearly 3-year process of implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress on foreign affairs in general and diplomacy in particular through which directions and measures are outlined in order to more effectively implement key foreign and diplomatic tasks for the coming years as a contribution to preparation for summarizing 40 years of carrying out the reform policy and drafting the documents of the 14th National Party Congress.

In his address, Party leader  Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed that during the past nearly 40 years of pursing the Doi Moi (Renewal) process, the Communist Party of Vietnam has inherited and promoted national identity, roots and traditions, while selectively absorbing the quintessence of world and the progressive ideology of the era, which was developed on the theoretical foundation of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's ideology, thereby forming a very special and unique school of foreign affairs and diplomacy, imbued with the identity of "Vietnamese bamboo".

He hailed the outstanding results of the diplomatic and foreign affairs sector since the first National Diplomatic Conference held in 2021.

He said that the success of the visits and phone calls of Party and State leaders since the 13th Party Congress, especially the more than 40 visits of key leaders to neighboring countries, major countries, strategic partner countries, most ASEAN member states, and the visits by many important partners and traditional friends, heads of state, high-ranking leaders of countries and major international organizations have painted a very beautiful, very vivid and highly attractive picture on the nation’s foreign front over the past 3 years and created a new position for Vietnam in the international arena. As a result, Vietnam has received appreciation from domestic public opinion and international friends.

“In particular, vibrant foreign affairs- related activities are the highlight of 2023. The Vietnam visits by Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, US President Joe Biden, General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, Chairman of the Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen and many other heads of state are considered to be events of historical significance, contributing to affirming that "our country has never had the same fortune, potential, prestige and international position as it does today," the Party chief emphasized.

From a country under siege and embargo, up to now, Vietnam has expanded and deepened relations with 193 countries and territories, including 3 countries having special relations, 6 countries establishing comprehensive strategic partnerships. (The United States and Japan were just added to this group in the fourth quarter), 12 strategic partner countries and 12 comprehensive partner countries., the Party chief went on to say.

​Regarding the tasks in the coming time, Trong called on the diplomatic and foreign affairs sector to always pay attention to skillfully combining the strength of the nation with the strength of the times, harmoniously handle the relationship between national interests and international obligations and responsibilities.

​This includes grasping the situation, analyzing, forecasting, promptly giving advice on adjustments, supplementing new trends and emerging issues in order to concretize, build and strictly and thoroughly carry out specific programs and plans of each agency and unit in a synchronous, scientific, methodical and unified manner.

He also asked the sector to make greater efforts in consolidating its organizational structure and building a contingent of foreign affairs officials in terms of bravery, quality, ethics, intelligence, and modernity. They are those with working methods and practices professional in style and behavior, and proficient in business and foreign languages, Trong stressed.