The success of the August Revolution, on August 28, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh signed the Decree to establish the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, in which the decision to establish the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was made - officially giving birth to the modern field of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.
Vietnamese diplomacy is honored to be directly guided, led and directed by President Ho Chi Minh in his capacity as the first Foreign Minister of the new country of Vietnam.
Over 80 years of building and growing, under the leadership of the Party and Uncle Ho, Vietnamese diplomacy has always upheld the spirit of serving the Fatherland and the people, making great contributions to the revolutionary cause of the nation.
Vietnamese diplomacy in the struggle for national liberation and national reunification
The country has just won its independence, facing the situation of "the scale hanging on hair strings" and hatred among external factors, the diplomats have made correct, bold, and skillful decisions to maintain national independence and protect the young revolutionary government.
The Preliminary Agreement dated March 6, 1946 and the Inter-Reseverance Agreement dated September 14, 1946 signed with France are "exemplary diplomatic flag countries", implementing a "move to advance" strategy to bring the country out of the dangerous situation, avoiding having to face many enemy at the same time, protecting independence and the young revolutionary government; we have more time to strengthen forces to prepare for dealing with French colonialism in the future.
Moreover, the Preliminary and Temporary Agreement signed with France above has the significance of being the first international legal document between Vietnam and France, an important political victory of our country, forcing France to recognize the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
Under the talented leadership of President Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam's youth diplomacy has achieved a glorious feat.
Entering the resistance war against French colonialism, the central task of diplomacy at this time is to bring the country out of the " monopoly" situation, gain international recognition, support and effective support for the military front.
With tireless efforts, diplomacy has contributed to the formation of a fight alliance with Laos and Cambodia; established relations with Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, India and especially promoted China, the Soviet Union and many socialist countries to recognize and establish formal diplomatic relations with Vietnam.
These important steps have opened up a great rear for the front line, linking the Vietnamese revolution with the world revolution, and seizing on the great support for the resistance war of our people. At the same time, diplomacy has closely coordinated with the military, promoting great victories on the battlefield to promote the struggle at the conference table.
After the victory over Dien Bien Phu "famous in five continents, shaking the whole world", France had to sign the 1954 Geneve Agreement on suspending war and restoring peace in Indochina. This victory abolished French rule, recognized the independence of the three countries of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, officially ended the colonial regime in Indochina; the North was completely liberated, the Vietnamese revolution moved to a new stage: Building socialism in the North, fighting for the liberation of the South, and unifying the country. The Geneve Agreement is a historic milestone marking a remarkable step forward for Vietnamese diplomacy in the international arena. As Uncle Ho affirmed: The Geneve Conference has ended. Our diplomacy has won a big victory. (Call of President Ho Chi Minh, Nhan Dan newspaper No. 208, 25-27, July 1954)
Having just gone through 9 years of fierce resistance war against France, the whole nation had to enter the resistance war against American imperialism. Once again, history has given diplomacy the mission of fighting and defeating opponents many times stronger than us.
In the Outline reporting on the situation and tasks on the diplomatic front, in May 1969, our Party identified, together with the military and political front, "outside the front is an important front of strategic significance".
Diplomatics have mobilized great spiritual and material support and assistance from socialist countries and progressive peoples around the world, especially the Soviet Union, China, Laos, Cambodia, Cuba, etc. At the same time, diplomacy has contributed to creating a large international movement that has never been united, supporting the just struggle of the Vietnamese people, promoting the anti-war movement right in the heart of the United States.
Together with our compatriots in the country, overseas overseas overseas Vietnamese have raised their patriotism and participated in the resistance war in many forms. Many people have volunteered to return home, bringing their knowledge and assets to help save the country.
In the history of the 20th century, few ethnic struggles have gathered widespread and strong support both at home and abroad like our Vietnamese nation.
In the historic confrontation between a nation that was considered a "weak" against the world's No. 1 superpower, diplomacy has coordinated smoothly and closely with the military and political front, opening up a situation of "both fighting and negotiating".
The art of beating has reached its peak, in which military and political struggle is the basis for diplomatic negotiations, while diplomatic struggle contributes to promoting the victory of the military and politics.
With our great victories on the battlefields, especially the victory of "Sky Defense" (12.1972), the US was forced to sign the Paris Agreement to end the war and restore peace in Vietnam, creating an important premise for our people to complete the cause of national liberation and national reunification in the spring of 1975.
During the period of restoration and development of the country after the war, diplomacy participated in both building and rebuilding the country and fighting to protect the border and territorial integrity of the Fatherland.
In the context of encroachment, economic embargo and political isolation, diplomatic efforts have strengthened relations with countries in the socialist system, struggled to protect the northern border and held the southwestern border, helping the Cambodian people escape the victims of epidemics.
During this period, we also expanded foreign relations, becoming members of many multilateral organizations and forums such as the Non-Aligned Movement, the United Nations, etc.
With the motto "more friends, less obstacles", diplomacy has taken the lead in gradually removing difficulties, unblocking the foreign situation, and laying the first foundations for expanding relations in the renovation and integration stages later.
diplomacy serves the cause of innovation and international integration
Entering the renovation phase, the top and top priority task of diplomacy at this time is to break the situation of blockade, embargo, recovery, and normalization of relations with other countries.
In the spirit of innovation in thinking, diplomacy has promptly adjusted and shifted strategic orientation, expanded relations with all countries in the world, implemented policies of friendship, cooperation, and peaceful existence for development, regardless of political and social regimes.
With proactive steps, we have improved relations with Southeast Asian countries, restored friendly and neighborly relations with China, normalized relations with the US and developed Western countries, and joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In less than 10 years after the renovation, the foreign situation has shifted from confrontation to cooperation, from being surrounded and isolated to having friendly and stable relations with neighboring countries and major countries.
On the basis of the achievements in the early stages of innovation, integration, diplomacy enters a new stage of expanding foreign relations with the policy of "being a trusted partner and a responsible member of the international community", "bile neighborhood, diversifying relations".
If before the renovation, we only had relations with more than 100 countries, then by 2025, we would have established official diplomatic relations with 194 countries.
Relations are increasingly deepening and sustainable, especially the formation of a relationship framework with 38 countries, including 13 comprehensive strategic partners, 10 strategic partners and 15 comprehensive partners.
After 40 years of renovation, we have created a more open and favorable foreign situation than ever for the cause of national construction and development.
In the process of innovation and integration, diplomacy has closely coordinated with national defense and security to build a peaceful and friendly border belt with neighboring countries.
We have completed the demarcation and marking of the land border with Laos and China; achieved positive results in the demarcation and marking of Cambodia; signed agreements and treaties on marine division with China (in the Gulf of Tonkin) and with Thailand, Indonesia, etc.
Regarding complex issues on territorial borders, we have resolutely fought against activities that violate sovereignty and territory, while raising the flag of peace and cooperation, actively exchanging and negotiating with relevant countries to control disagreements, seeking fundamental and long-term solutions to disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law.
We have created a border belt of peace, friendship and a cooperation mechanism to resolve border and territorial issues.
Along with that, Vietnam has gradually proactively integrated with the world, from economic integration to comprehensive and extensive integration in all fields.
International integration and economic diplomacy have taken advantage of the favorable international environment, mobilized external resources, and brought Vietnam from an environmentally tight, embargoed, and underdeveloped economy to a strong rising economy, an important link in the world economy.
From having economic - trade relations with nearly 30 countries and territories alone, we have now had economic - trade relations with more than 230 countries and territories; total import-export turnover reached nearly 800 billion USD, joining the group of 20 countries with the largest trade scale in the world; attracting more than 500 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI), becoming the leading developing country attracting foreign investment in the world.
Vietnam has become an important link in the world economy and is increasingly increasing its position in the global production chain with 17 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), including many new-generation FTAs and more than 500 bilateral and multilateral agreements.
Diplomatic efforts have contributed to making Vietnam from an surrounded and isolated country, rise to become an active and responsible member of more than 70 international and regional organizations, including all mechanisms that play a key role in global governance such as the United Nations, ASEAN, WTO, APEC, ASEM, etc.
Vietnam's multilateral foreign affairs have increasingly matured, with important qualitative changes, from joining and participating in the early stages, to proactively and actively contributing to common issues and currently gradually leading and shaping many mechanisms.
Vietnam has participated in initiating and founding many new cooperation mechanisms such as ASEM, ADMM+, CPTPP...; successfully held many international responsibilities such as non-permanent member of the Security Council, member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, participating in 6/7 important management mechanisms of UNESCO at the same time; successfully hosting many major international conferences such as the ASEAN Summits, APEC, the US-Korea Summit; proposing new initiatives and documents, notably the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention), increasingly participating extensively in United Nations peacekeeping activities, humanitarianism, rescue and relief.
Vietnam's reasonable and affectionate speech, initiatives and solutions have received the consensus and support of the international community.
The fields of foreign affairs work are also increasingly expanding, contributing to strengthening the strength of the nation, serving socio-economic development and enhancing the country's position.
The Party and State always pay attention to and identify overseas Vietnamese as an inseparable part of the Vietnamese people. The community of 6 million overseas Vietnamese is growing stronger, connected with the country, making an important contribution to the country's development.
Citizen protection work has actively protected the safety, legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens and businesses, especially in disaster and war areas...
Cultural diplomacy has promoted national cultural values and mobilized new resources for development; UNESCO recognized 73 heritages and titles of Vietnam.
Foreign information strongly promotes the image of the country, people, culture, and innovation achievements of Vietnam with many creative contents and methods.
Throughout the 18-year journey of building and growing, under the wise leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, Vietnamese diplomacy has fought bravely with the entire nation to gain independence, freedom for the country and happiness for the people. From a poor, backward country devastated by war, Vietnam has now become a dynamically developed country, successfully integrating internationally.
From a country not named on the world map, Vietnam has affirmed its role as a proactive, active and responsible member in the international community. As the 13th Party Congress and the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong commented: "Our country has never had such a foundation, position, potential and international prestige as today".
In that challenging yet glorious journey, Vietnamese diplomacy is proud to always be present on the front lines with the Vietnamese revolutionary army, properly implementing the motto "committed combat, collective achievements".
Comprehensive and modern diplomacy with three pillars of Party diplomacy, State diplomacy and People's diplomacy has created a combined strength to bring Vietnamese diplomacy from one victory to another.
The maturity and achievements of revolutionary diplomacy over the past 80 years are the crystallization of the tradition of harmonious diplomacy from the thousand-year history of building and defending the country of our ancestors and the diplomatic ideology of Ho Chi Minh; affirming the stature of history, national culture, reflecting the new position and strength of the country.
Vietnamese diplomacy is not only recognized by the Party, State and People but also highly positively evaluated by international friends and partners. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commented that Vietnamese diplomacy has shown that a country can overcome war, promote peace and become a pillar of multilateralism, a bright spot in international relations that countries need to learn from.
The Vietnamese diplomatic community is both principle and flexible, peace-loving and justice-loving, contributing to enhancing the country's position and image in the international arena.
Valuable historical lessons
The glorious 80 years of revolutionary diplomacy have left many great lessons that are still valuable today.
First of all and everywhere is a lesson in the absolute and unified leadership of the Party and the imbued diplomatic ideology of Ho Chi Minh. The Communist Party of Vietnam is the organizer and leader of all victories of the Vietnamese revolution.
With courage, intelligence, prestige and leadership capacity, our Party has been sensitive to the situation, promptly changed thinking, and been wise in making decisions to adjust foreign policies, guidelines and measures in accordance with each historical period.
From the very beginning, Vietnamese diplomacy was extremely proud to have been guided and led by President Ho Chi Minh.
He is the architect of modern Vietnamese diplomacy, the great teacher of generations of diplomatic staff. Ho Chi Minh's diplomatic ideology will forever be the guiding needle, the spark that guides the way for Vietnamese foreign affairs.
That is a lesson in combining national strength with the strength of the times, between internal strength and external strength, in which internal strength is basic, long-term, external strength is important, and a breakthrough.
We have strongly promoted the internal strength of the country, while linking with the common cause of humanity, taking advantage of the high level of external strength to combine and supplement internal strength.
Over the past 80 years, although the world situation has always changed rapidly and complicatedly, Vietnam's foreign policies and guidelines have always been adjusted appropriately to adapt to the situation and major trends of the times.
That is a lesson in independence, self-reliance, self-reliance associated with cooperation, diversification, and multilateralization of foreign relations. Independence, self-reliance, and self-reliance are outstanding and consistent thinking in the revolutionary line in general and the foreign policy in particular.
President Ho Chi Minh once affirmed: "Independence means we control all our work, without outside intervention". (Ho Chi Minh: Complete source, National Political Publishing House Truth, Hanoi, 2011, volume 5, page 162)
In that spirit, Vietnam is completely autonomous in deciding policies and guidelines, taking independence and autonomy as the foundation for solidarity, gathering forces to support and help Vietnam but with reference and selection of international experiences and lessons.
That is a lesson in "the constant constant and constant", "our principles must be solid, but our strategies must be flexible". (Ho Chi Minh: Complete source, National Political Publishing House Truth, Hanoi, 2011, volume 8, page 555)
The inexorable thing is the independence, freedom of the nation, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, steadfast in the goal of building the country on the path of socialism. The "management" is the way to achieve goals, be flexible, and flexible in strategies depending on the problem, time, target, and partner.
That is a lesson in attaching importance to and properly handling relations with major countries and building and maintaining friendly and stable relations with neighboring countries.
Our Party clearly recognizes the importance of major countries in deciding on world order and movement trends, thereby building a balanced, harmonious relationship, both cooperating and fighting with major countries.
At the same time, we always maintain friendly, stable and long-term sustainable relations with neighboring countries, promoting the tradition of our ancestors of "selling brothers far and buying brothers near and far" to have friendly and stable relations with neighboring countries, especially neighboring countries with common borders.
Finally, there is a lesson about cadre work, "the root of all work". President Ho Chi Minh and his outstanding diplomats are shining examples of patriotism, political mettle, qualifications and diplomatic style that are respected by the people and international friends.
Generations of diplomatic cadres who are politically steadfast, always absolutely loyal to the Party, to the interests of the nation, wholeheartedly serving the Fatherland and the people are the decisive factors for all victories of diplomacy in the international arena.
Vietnamese diplomacy is proud to have had many great diplomats who were excellent students of President Ho Chi Minh such as Pham Van Dong, Le Duc Tho, Nguyen Duy Trinh, Xuan Thuy, Nguyen Thi Binh, Nguyen Co Thach...
These are diplomats who have matured from revolutionary practice, affirming Vietnam's bravery and intelligence, making both friends, partners and opponents admire them.
diplomacy in the era of national growth
The world is facing important turning points. Each corner of history can become an opportunity or a challenge for countries depending on the preparation and readiness of each country.
The achievements of 80 years of national liberation struggle, national construction and defense are a solid foundation for our nation to enter a new era, realizing the two strategic goals 2030 and 2045 set by the 13th National Party Congress.
History has shown that geological - strategic factors, national security and prosperity are closely linked to the external environment.
How to position and promote the country's position, in the most beneficial way for the nation - people in the regional and world strategic game is always a constant concern for the leaders of the Party, State and those working in diplomatic work.
During the most arduous years of the struggle for national liberation, with courage, will, intelligence, Vietnamese diplomacy overcame many difficulties and challenges, achieving resounding victories.
If in war, military victories have created an important momentum for diplomatic victories; diplomacy is a "front" parallel to politics and the army, today, the luggage of Vietnamese diplomacy is the position and strength of the country after 40 years of renovation, solidarity and companionship of the whole nation.
In the context of today's international integration, foreign affairs must play a pioneering role, performing well the "essential, regular" task of national defense and security to protect the Fatherland early, from afar, and build and develop the country quickly and sustainably.
With this heavy but also very glorious responsibility, diplomacy in the new era needs to focus on the following major orientations:
First, always steadfast in the interests of the nation and people, putting the country in line with the trend of the times. According to President Ho Chi Minh, diplomacy must always be for the benefit of the nation. National and ethnic interests are the "mental guiding principle" of foreign policy, an unchanged goal of foreign affairs to respond to the rapid, complex and unpredictable situation in the world.
The highest benefit is to firmly protect independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity; protect the Party, State, people and socialist regimes; maintain a peaceful, stable and favorable environment for national development; protect the cause of innovation, industrialization and modernization; protect political security, social order and safety and national culture.
However, ensuring the highest national and ethnic interests must be based on equality, cooperation, mutual benefit, and joint efforts for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress, based on the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.
Ethnic interests are in harmony with the common interests of the international community, contributing to the correct resolution of the relationship between the nation and the times, both demonstrating Vietnam's responsibility and gaining international support.
Second, continue to properly implement the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development; multilateralize, diversify relations, proactively and actively integrate internationally in the renovation period.
Independence, self-reliance and neutral hoa, diversification have a harmonious and consistent relationship in Vietnams foreign policy. Independence and self-reliance are based on one's own strength, self-reliance in deciding on one's policies and guidelines.
The recent changes in many regions of the world further affirm the correctness of Vietnam's "independence and self-reliance" policy. In addition, the major problems facing the world such as natural disasters, epidemics, climate change, cybersecurity... also show the benefits of "diversifying and diversifying" foreign relations, because no country, no matter how strong, cannot cope with current multidimensional challenges alone.
Internal resources are the main resource, the root of the nation's strength, but it is necessary to take advantage of all resources from the outside to increase internal strength, best ensuring the security and development of the country.
Third, make international integration a driving force, create momentum and seize new development opportunities for the country.
diplomacy for development is a focus, taking the lead in connecting internal resources with external resources; identifying and taking advantage of opportunities from new trends in the world in science - technology, innovation, development of renewable energy, strategic infrastructure, digital transformation, green transformation...
At the same time, diplomacy must open up cooperation with leading partners, especially high-quality resources in finance, technology, and management to create new momentum, new breakthroughs and new achievements for the country's development.
With the advantage of an open foreign situation, diplomacy needs to take advantage of good foreign relations to promote economic agreements; clear up obstacles, and make the most of the benefits of trade and investment agreements for people, localities, and businesses.
Fourth, promote the combined strength in all areas of foreign affairs work. The new era also requires a new approach to foreign affairs from reception to contribution, from learning to leadership, from economic integration to comprehensive and extensive integration, from a country going back to a pioneering country, ready to take on new responsibilities.
The new situation and force both create conditions for us to participate more, contribute more positively to solving common problems, and allow us to promote our core role and lead in important issues and mechanisms of strategic scale, in line with the interests of the country.
The new situation and forces also require us to promote the "soft power" of the nation, commensurate with the historical and cultural stature, political and economic position of the country.
Fifth, build a strong diplomatic sector, worthy of the previous generations and worthy of the new era.
During the difficult years of the revolution, we always had excellent diplomats, who became shining examples of patriotism, self-study, political courage, diplomatic style and art, recognized and respected by international friends.
The new era requires building a comprehensive, modern, and professional diplomacy to meet new requirements, imbued with and creatively applied Ho Chi Minh's diplomatic ideology.
In the new era, foreign affairs officials must be pioneers who dare to think, dare to do, dare to innovate, dare to face difficulties, act for the interests of the nation and people.
Looking back at the past 80 years, generations of diplomatic staff have the right to be proud of the tradition, history and glorious feats of Vietnamese diplomacy, contributing to the glorification of the country's youth.
The bravery and intelligence of modern Vietnamese diplomacy have been fostered through the thousands of years of the nation, being cultivated and matured under the Ho Chi Minh era.
In the new era, following the heroic tradition of our ancestors, today's generation of diplomatic staff will continue to write the golden pages of modern Vietnamese diplomacy, contributing worthily to the journey to bring the country to rise "sharing the shoulders of the five continents" as Uncle Ho always wished.
