Over the past 80 years of growth and development under the leadership of the Communist Party and the direct guidance of President Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s first Foreign Minister, the Vietnamese diplomatic service has built a proud and illustrious legacy.

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General Secretary To Lam works with the Party Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, August 2024.

Reflecting on this historic journey, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son highlighted the pivotal role diplomacy has played in Vietnam’s struggles for independence and freedom, as well as its ongoing efforts in national development.

He noted that the diplomatic sector was founded in the historic autumn of August 1945, with President Ho Chi Minh personally laying its foundation.

Throughout the decades that followed, diplomacy left its mark at every stage of Vietnam’s history—from safeguarding independence in its infancy to resisting colonial and imperial forces, and now, to building and defending a strong nation.

In the country’s fragile early days, when it faced overwhelming threats from both within and without, Vietnam’s diplomacy took the lead in preserving the revolutionary gains, securing the people's government, and buying crucial time to prepare for a protracted resistance.

Masterful diplomatic maneuvers during the 1946 Preliminary Agreement and the subsequent Modus Vivendi, as well as tireless efforts at the Da Lat and Fontainebleau conferences, helped place Vietnam in the best possible position under extremely difficult circumstances.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son speaks to the press.

During the struggle against colonial and imperial domination, diplomacy served both the war effort and the international front—breaking blockades, ending isolation, fostering foreign relations, and garnering broad support from the global community.

In tandem with military and political efforts, diplomacy leveraged battlefield victories to compel adversaries to negotiate.

The Geneva Accords and the Paris Peace Accords were not only monumental diplomatic achievements but also created the opportunity for Vietnam’s final victory and reunification after 30 years of arduous warfare.

In the post-war reconstruction period, Vietnam’s diplomatic corps led the way in dismantling economic embargoes and helping the country overcome socio-economic hardships.

Diplomacy also spearheaded the normalization of relations with China, reestablished ties with Southeast Asian neighbors, restored relations with the United States, and expanded international partnerships.

With the principle of “diversification and multilateralization,” Vietnam has steadily broadened its diplomatic relations. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, Vietnam now has formal diplomatic ties with 194 countries and strategic or comprehensive partnerships with 38 of them—including all permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, G7 nations, and most G20 members. Vietnam is also an active member of more than 70 international organizations.

Knowing oneself, knowing others, and knowing the times

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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres during his visit to Vietnam in 2022.

“Vietnamese diplomacy was born and matured during 30 years of resistance, and has grown significantly over 40 years of national reform,” affirmed the Deputy Prime Minister. “The trials faced during key revolutionary periods have imparted timeless lessons to our foreign service.”

At the 3rd Diplomatic Conference in 1964, President Ho Chi Minh famously instructed that diplomacy must “always serve the interests of the nation.” This principle has been deeply embedded in the hearts and minds of generations of diplomats over the past 80 years.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized that this commitment reflects a key lesson on unified leadership under the Party, agility in assessing and responding to events, and decisiveness in strategic decision-making.

It also exemplifies the importance of blending internal strength with external resources, merging national and global forces to build comprehensive power. This synergy enabled Vietnam to garner substantial material and moral support from the international progressive community.

Other enduring lessons include staying firm on principles while remaining flexible in tactics, guided by the maxim “unchanging in goals, adaptable in strategy”; the value of unity and consensus; and the nuanced application of the “five knows”: knowing oneself, knowing others, knowing the times, knowing when to stop, and knowing how to adapt.

These principles, combined with the art of moral diplomacy that wins hearts through justice, empathy, reason, and ethics, have shaped the identity of a uniquely Vietnamese diplomatic culture.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that such experiences have forged the core values of a diplomacy deeply rooted in Vietnamese identity and character.

He shared that Vietnam’s success story continues to inspire the international community. During its liberation struggle, Vietnam stood as a global symbol for independence and freedom—a nation of resilience and courage.

Vietnam’s fight for independence was seen as the “conscience” of its era, transforming what was once a nameless land on the map into an emblem of peace and friendship.

Today, Vietnam is widely recognized as a country on the rise - a model for socio-economic development, with growing influence and a respected voice in global affairs.

“I recall UN Secretary-General António Guterres frequently referring to Vietnam as a model for peace and sustainable development in our meetings,” he said.

“Likewise, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn has acknowledged Vietnam’s vital role in promoting unity and strengthening ASEAN’s global engagement, particularly on the 30th anniversary of Vietnam joining the organization.”

Leaders of various countries and international organizations have also praised Vietnam for its constructive international role, describing the country as a reliable partner and a responsible member of the global community.

Over the last eight decades, under the leadership of the Party and the State, Vietnamese diplomacy has grown stronger and more effective.

Looking ahead, Vietnam’s foreign policy will continue to pursue independence, self-reliance, multilateralism, and diversification. The country remains committed to proactive and comprehensive international integration, upholding multilateralism, respecting international law, and contributing to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous global environment.

Tran Thuong - Pham Hai