Top Vietnamese leader’s Shangri-La speech highlights proactive diplomacy and development vision: Expert

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Enzo described the speech as a powerful articulation of Viet Nam's strategy to combine active international engagement with long-term national development goals. He said the address effectively balanced regional security concerns with the country's economic ambitions through three key pillars: strategic autonomy, national aspirations for development, and economic-technological diplomacy.

The researcher noted that the speech reaffirmed Viet Nam's commitment to an independent and self-reliant foreign policy, avoiding alignment with major-power rivalries while promoting respect for international law and ASEAN centrality.

According to Enzo, the vision outlined by the Vietnamese leader closely linked regional peace and stability with Viet Nam's objective of becoming a high-income nation by 2045 through sustained economic growth.

He highlighted that the address went beyond traditional security issues by placing strong emphasis on supply chain resilience, digital transformation, and green technology. These priorities, he noted, have already been reflected in practical initiatives, including technology and supply-chain cooperation agreements with Singapore.

The participation of Viet Nam's top leader in one of the world's leading security forums also conveyed a strong message to international partners and investors that Viet Nam remains politically stable, committed to reform, and open to global business and investment opportunities.

Enzo said the speech further elevated Viet Nam's geopolitical profile, reinforcing its position as a proactive middle power capable of navigating complex strategic dynamics while contributing meaningfully to policy discussions in the Indo-Pacific region.

He added that integrating economic diplomacy into a major defence and security forum strengthened Viet Nam's attractiveness as a stable and reliable destination for regional and Western tech companies seeking to diversify production and supply chains.

By maintaining balanced relations with major powers while championing ASEAN's central role, Viet Nam is maximising opportunities across multiple areas, from security cooperation and technology transfer to sustainable trade, the researcher observed.

Enzo concluded that General Secretary and President To Lam's address at the 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue reflected a new era of confident diplomacy and demonstrated that active global engagement remains a vital instrument for securing Viet Nam's long-term development and prosperity./.