Opening the door" to "construction
40 years of Doi Moi has witnessed a strong transformation of Vietnam's foreign affairs - from breaking the siege and embargo to deep and comprehensive integration. However, entering a new era, when the international context changes rapidly, foreign thinking must also change accordingly.
The core spirit of this stage is synchronous innovation from awareness to action. As General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized, it is necessary to strongly innovate thinking, awareness and action on foreign affairs and international integration in the new situation. This is not only a methodical requirement, but a strategic shift, placing foreign affairs at a more central position in the overall development of the country.
This change is clearly shown in the determination that foreign affairs and international integration are important and regular tasks. This means that foreign affairs no longer only plays a supporting role but becomes one of the strategic pillars, directly contributing to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment and expanding development space.
On that basis, Vietnam's foreign policy thinking is shifting from "participation" to "proactive contribution and creation". Politburo member, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung affirmed that foreign policy in the current period must be implemented in a comprehensive and modern direction, taking national and ethnic interests as the top priority, and at the same time proactively and actively contributing to the common tasks of the region and the world. Typically, the official visit to Laos by Politburo member, Standing Secretary of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu and the high-level delegation of Vietnam to Laos in early April 2026 was highly appreciated by Lao media and affirmed that the tightening and promotion of the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic linkage between the two Parties, two States and peoples of Laos-Vietnam, Vietnam-Laos are increasingly deepening.
The highlight of "proactive contribution" shows a qualitative step forward. If previously, integration was mainly aimed at taking advantage of external resources, now Vietnam has been and is participating more deeply in the process of shaping cooperation mechanisms, gradually having a voice in regional and global issues. This is a clear manifestation of a foreign policy that is shifting from "integration" to "construction".
Self-reliance and comprehensive diplomacy: foundation for deep integration
Along with the innovation of thinking is the clearer shaping of the "self-reliance" factor in foreign policy. In the context of increasing competition between major countries, self-reliance becomes a prerequisite for deep integration while still maintaining independence and self-reliance.
Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu emphasized that international integration in the new stage must be closely linked to building an independent and self-reliant economy, improving the internal capacity and resilience of the economy. This approach helps Vietnam not only expand cooperation but also improve its ability to adapt to unpredictable changes in the international environment.
In practice, this is reflected in Vietnam's proactive participation in new development trends in the world, from digital transformation, green transformation to innovation. These are areas that not only open up new growth opportunities but also determine the country's position in the global value chain.
Vietnamese diplomacy is also developing in a more comprehensive and modern direction. The three pillars of Party foreign affairs, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy are deployed synchronously, creating a combined strength. In which, economic diplomacy plays a central role, directly serving development.
Through foreign affairs activities, Vietnam has expanded export markets, attracted investment, and accessed advanced technology and knowledge. Not only stopping there, cultural diplomacy and soft power have also been strongly promoted, contributing to promoting the country's image and enhancing international prestige.
A noteworthy point is that international integration is no longer limited to the economic field but is expanded to other key fields such as science and technology, education, environment, and non-traditional security. This reflects the shift from economic integration to comprehensive integration, in line with development requirements in the new stage.
Elevating position: from participation to contributing to shaping the international environment
From a new thinking platform and new ways of doing things, Vietnamese foreign affairs is gradually enhancing its position in the international arena. Not only is it an active member, Vietnam is increasingly proactive in contributing to common issues of the region and the world.
From responding to climate change, ensuring food security to promoting sustainable development, Vietnam has been and is increasingly deeply involved in multilateral mechanisms, and at the same time proposing many cooperation initiatives. This role not only reflects international responsibility but also contributes to creating a favorable environment for domestic development.
Notably, expanding and upgrading relations with major partners and leading economic and political centers in the world has helped Vietnam significantly enhance its strategic position. Relation frameworks are increasingly deepening and becoming more substantive, especially in key areas such as high technology, energy, infrastructure and innovation.
In the context of a divided and fiercely competitive world, harmoniously handling relations with major partners, maintaining the principle of independence and self-reliance, while being flexible in tactics, continues to be a key requirement. This is also a vivid manifestation of Vietnam's foreign affairs bravery: Firm in principle, flexible in action.
However, the rapid and complex movements of the world also pose higher requirements for foreign affairs work. These are strategic forecasting capacity, policy adaptation capacity and close coordination. At the same time, perfecting institutions and improving the quality of foreign human resources are also decisive factors in the coming period.
