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Consistent foreign policy in rapid changing world

VGP - Given the complicity of geopolitics contexts today, Viet Nam remains consistent with its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralization.

May 03, 2023 10:09 AM GMT+7

From the consistency in foreign policy

The 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) was held in Ha Noi, the country's capital, from January 25, 2021 to February 1, 2021 and adopted the Congress's Resolution, in which emphasizing "to safeguard independence and self-reliance and improve the quality and effectiveness of foreign affairs and international integration"[1] in order "to uphold an environment of peace and stability for national development."[2]

This can be considered as the continuation of the consistent policy of Viet Nam in diplomacy since the foundation of the country. Since the early days of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam (now officially known as the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam), President Ho Chi Minh, founder of the country, the first Foreign Minister of Viet Nam, respected the legitimate interests of other nations and peoples. He noted, "We must not do what we do not want others to do to us"[3]. Addressing the National Day of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam on September 2, 1955, President Ho Chi Minh declared: "The foreign policy of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam is clear and transparent: It is a policy of peace and good relations, respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutually benefit and peaceful coexistence"[4]. This is the vivid example of the fact that, along with maintaining independence and self-reliance, the first President/Foreign Minister of Viet Nam focused on enhancing international solidarity, friendship and international cooperation between Viet Nam and its partners on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

In 1973, with the signing of Paris Peace Accords, officially known as Agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Viet Nam (No. 13295), which has been seen as a great victory in the history of Viet Nam diplomacy, leaving invaluable diplomatic lessons, including those related to national independence and international solidarity. As there were different views on the way to build socialism and fight for national liberation, and even sharp conflicts arose. On the other hand, at that moment, Vietnamese people were facing the US imperialists with strong economic and military might. With lessons learned from the resistance war against the French colony, Viet Nam upheld the spirit of independence, self-reliance and international solidarity in both resistance and negotiation guidelines. These were the principal guides that ran through the entire negotiations at the Paris Conference.

Today, in the new context, Viet Nam continues to be consistent with the idea of having "more friends, less enemies". With an open foreign policy, Viet Nam attaches great importance to developing relations with all countries, territories and international organizations. Following the guideline of expanding foreign relations adopted in the 6th Party Congress, with diplomatic achievements gained in the period of Renovation (Doi Moi) and international integration, Viet Nam's steady progress has been consolidated under the motto "wants to be friends with all countries"[5] (7th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam), "willing to become a friend and reliable partner of all countries in the world community"[6] (9th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam), "willing to be a friend, a reliable partner, an active and responsible member with all countries in the international community"[7] (11th, 12th, and 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam). Viet Nam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralization is bringing numerous positive results for its national construction and defense, contributing to global peace, cooperation, and development.

To the reflection in the context of rapid changing world

Foreign relations today are not merely a continuation of domestic policies, but a strong driver for the growth and development of Viet Nam in her own rights. Throughout over-thousand-year history, independence, self-reliance and maximizing the interest of the nation have always been an unchangeable principle and the overarching line in the country's every action.

Given the complex developments of global contexts, Viet Nam remains unwavering in its foreign policy which has been challenged and built up through roller-coaster time, with the most important guides of independence, self-reliance. Viet Nam understands firsthand that once broken out, serious conflicts only cause enormous suffering to human beings and grave consequences for many aspects of the life of nations directly involved as well as of others. Viet Nam has always actively sought to promote rules-based principles and multilateralism in advancing its national interests. The country has time and always underscored the importance of respect for international law and the UN Charter, these include the principles of sovereign equality, respect for the political independence and territorial integrity of states, non-interference in internal affairs of states, and refrain from the threat or use of force.

To be successful, each country will have different suitable methods, roadmaps, and steps with consideration of their own characteristics and conditions, but special attention should be paid to some universal requirements. Accordingly, economic independence and self-reliance are associated with independence and self-control in terms of politics, foreign policy, and international integration. The respect for differences in conditions and characteristics of politics, economy, history, culture, and society will contribute to the diversity and richness of the global economy and national advantages, but along with that, there must be respect for the legitimate rights and interests of countries based on the UN Charter and international law. And Viet Nam chooses its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralization./.


[1] The 13th National Party Congress Resolution - FOCUS - COMMUNIST REVIEW (tapchicongsan.org.vn)

[2] The 13th National Party Congress Resolution - FOCUS - COMMUNIST REVIEW (tapchicongsan.org.vn)

[3] Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, ibid., Vol 4, p. 401

[4] Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, ibid., Vol 10, p. 113 - 114

[5] Documents of the 7th National Congress, National Political Publishing House of Truth, Hanoi, 1991, p. 147

[6] Documents of the 9th National Congress, National Political Publishing House of Truth, Hanoi, 2001, p. 119

[7] Documents of the 1st National Congress, National Political Publishing House of Truth, Hanoi, 2011, p. 138 - 139