On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of Vietnam’s diplomatic service, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son shared his reflections in the article titled: “80 glorious years of Vietnamese diplomacy for the cause of national defense and development.”

Founded in the historic autumn of August 1945, Vietnam’s diplomatic service holds immense pride in having been established by President Ho Chi Minh, a visionary leader and an extraordinary diplomat. Over the past 80 years, under the leadership of the Party and the direct guidance of President Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s first foreign minister, the country’s diplomacy has maintained its revolutionary character, upheld a proud tradition of service to the nation and the people, and contributed significantly to the nation’s historical victories. From the struggle for independence and unification to national reconstruction and protection, diplomacy has left an indelible mark at every stage of Vietnam’s development.

Diplomacy in the fight for national liberation and reunification

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The negotiation and signing of the Paris Agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam was a significant contribution by the diplomatic sector in the Ho Chi Minh era.
 Photo: Madam Nguyen Thi Binh, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Head of the Negotiation Delegation of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam, signing the Paris Agreement on January 27, 1973. Source: Archives.

From its inception, the Party and President Ho Chi Minh recognized diplomacy as a vital means of safeguarding national interests. He famously stated: “The best way to fight is through wisdom, second is through diplomacy, and third is through military action.”

During the fight for liberation and reunification, diplomacy played a pivotal role - from preserving the nation’s newfound independence to resisting colonial and imperialist forces, and ultimately securing national unity. In the perilous years of 1945–1946, when the fate of the young republic hung in the balance, diplomacy took the lead in preserving revolutionary gains and securing time to strengthen the resistance. Key diplomatic victories included the Preliminary Agreement of March 6, 1946, and the September 14, 1946 Provisional Agreement, along with strategic negotiations at the Dalat and Fontainebleau conferences. Vietnam deftly engaged with five major powers and countered four foreign armies with over 300,000 troops on Vietnamese soil - an extraordinary diplomatic feat that placed the nation in its best possible position during critical times.

During the First Indochina War (1946–1954), diplomacy supported military efforts, broke isolation, and expanded international alliances. It forged bonds with Laos and Cambodia and secured official recognition and support from China, the Soviet Union, and other socialist countries, thereby creating a powerful second front to sustain the resistance. These achievements culminated in the Geneva Accords of 1954, which marked the end of nearly a century of colonial rule and affirmed Vietnam’s fundamental national rights: independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. This political and legal foundation would prove crucial in the later fight for complete reunification.

In the second war for southern liberation (1954–1975), diplomacy became a strategic front in its own right. Vietnam built strong alliances with Laos and Cambodia, garnered support from the socialist bloc - especially the Soviet Union and China - and won international solidarity. As President Fidel Castro famously declared, “For Vietnam, the Cuban people are willing to shed their own blood.” Diplomatic efforts, in concert with military and political strategies, achieved the landmark Paris Peace Accords of 1973, which forced the US to withdraw its troops and paved the way for Vietnam’s final victory in 1975.

During the post-war reconstruction (1975–1986), diplomacy played a vital role in lifting Vietnam out of political isolation and economic embargoes. It justified Vietnam’s humanitarian mission in Cambodia, countered global sanctions, restored relations with China and ASEAN countries, resisted US-led embargoes, and built ties with non-aligned nations and developed countries. Vietnam’s entry into the Non-Aligned Movement (1976) and the United Nations (1977) marked significant diplomatic breakthroughs.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son. Photo: Minh Nhat

Diplomacy in the era of reform and global integration

Since the launch of Doi Moi (1986), diplomacy has spearheaded Vietnam’s peaceful development and global engagement. The independent, self-reliant, peaceful, cooperative, and multilateral foreign policy has enabled Vietnam to navigate internal and external changes and secure historic progress.

In the early Doi Moi years, faced with domestic challenges and hostile external forces, Vietnam proactively sought political solutions to the Cambodian issue and addressed the “boat people” crisis. This defused external opposition, restored dialogue, and improved relations with major powers and regional neighbors. Vietnam transitioned from isolation to building diplomatic ties with 194 countries and establishing 37 comprehensive partnerships, including all UN Security Council permanent members, ASEAN nations, G7 countries, and 18 of the G20 economies. Vietnam now actively contributes to more than 70 international organizations.

Together with national defense and public security, diplomacy has preserved peace and stability. Border disputes have been gradually resolved, legal frameworks established, and cooperation promoted. Vietnam has defended its maritime sovereignty, pursued negotiations in line with international law, and actively contributed to shaping a substantive and effective Code of Conduct (COC) for the South China Sea, based on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Vietnam has also vigorously defended its positions on democracy, human rights, religion, and ethnicity.

Multilateral diplomacy has elevated Vietnam’s global standing. From ASEAN and APEC to the WTO, Vietnam has progressed from participation to leadership, initiating new mechanisms such as ASEM and ADMM+. Under Directive 25, Vietnam now plays a responsible role, contributing to major international forums including the UN Security Council, Human Rights Council, UNESCO, and Mekong subregional platforms. Vietnam has completed numerous international missions and expanded its participation in UN peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts.

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On behalf of the Party and State, General Secretary To Lam presented the First-Class Labour Order to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the occasion of its 80th anniversary. Photo: Pham Hai

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UNESCO, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Lang Son province receive global geopark recognition in June. Photo: D.X

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A joint cultural performance between Vietnam and South Korea during the opening of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Busan, August. Photo: Minh Nhat

Diplomatic efforts have supported Vietnam’s transformation from a war-ravaged country to one of the world’s 32 largest economies by GDP. Economic diplomacy has shifted from basic trade relations to comprehensive integration, with ties to over 230 countries and 17 free trade agreements (FTAs), including next-generation FTAs. Under Directive 15, economic diplomacy has attracted FDI, ODA, and positioned Vietnam among the world’s top 20 trading nations. Over 500 bilateral and multilateral agreements connect Vietnam to global supply chains and cutting-edge sectors such as green transformation, digital economy, and innovation.

Vietnam has supported nearly 6 million overseas citizens, safeguarding their rights and mobilizing remittances worth billions of USD annually. Consular protection efforts ensure safety in conflict zones and natural disasters. Public diplomacy has enhanced the national image through creative messaging. Cultural diplomacy has secured UNESCO recognition for 72 national heritage sites, preserving traditions and attracting new development resources.

Bui Thanh Son

Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs