Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga, who is also Vice Chair of the Vietnam National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation and Vice President of the post-2020 APEC vision group, said that cultural diplomacy in particular, and other diplomatic pillars in general, are making movements in their fields. 

Along with the diplomats who serve residents, businesses, and society, each person, enterprise, and locality should also work as diplomats to promote the image of Vietnam, she said. 

It is not only Vietnam, but ASEAN also that need to be introduced on the international stage, Nga said, noting that the task is particularly vital as Vietnam looks to assume the post of ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020. 

Stressing the interaction between the aforementioned diplomatic pillars, she said the journey requires the participation of people from all walks of life, particularly young people and women. 

Regarding political diplomacy in the new situation, former Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh said political diplomacy should cover other diplomatic channels in order to create major diplomatic orientations, helping deepen and expand Vietnam’s international relations, especially with big, neighbouring and regional countries. 

He emphasised the need for Vietnam to actively and proactively integrate into the world across all spheres, particularly multilateral diplomacy, explaining that the move would contribute to improving its position, deepening its relations with foreign countries, and utilising international resources. 

Vietnam should participate in developing international principles and rules that match international law as well as national interests, he suggested. 

Pham Sanh Chau, Assistant to the Foreign Minister, held that cultural diplomacy would help promote tourism and reduce poverty in localities, thus spurring socio-economic development. 

He cited noteworthy cultural events like Hue Festival, Da Lat Flower Festival, and Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, which have contributed to luring investment and tourists to the localities.–VNA