As 2025 drew to a close, Vietnam’s diplomacy and foreign affairs marked a brilliant year of achievements, highlighted by historic milestones that underscored the nation’s growing prestige and influence on the global stage. In the spirit of optimism and pride ahead of the 14th National Party Congress, the journey of four decades of Doi Moi (Renovation) unfolded like a vivid film reel, reminding the nation that a new, even greater chapter is only beginning.
Defining moments of 2025
In 2025, Vietnam welcomed nearly 40 delegations of foreign leaders and international organizations, many arriving for celebrations of the 50th anniversary of national reunification and the 80th National Day. The country’s top leadership also conducted more than 70 diplomatic activities, an increase of 1.5 times compared to 2024, including state and official visits, bilateral meetings across continents, and participation in key regional and international summits.
Vietnam established diplomatic relations with Tuvalu, bringing the total number of countries with which it has formal ties to 194. It now maintains strategic or comprehensive partnerships with 38 countries, including six new comprehensive strategic partners, nine new strategic partners, and two new comprehensive partners. This brings the total number of partner countries to 42 covering all UN Security Council permanent members, G7 nations, and most G20 members. Vietnam is also an active member of more than 70 international organizations.
Beyond solidifying its position as a regional diplomatic hub, Vietnam left a strong imprint on multilateral diplomacy. The nation continues to play a guiding role in shaping “rules of the game” at various global forums. The successful hosting of the signing ceremony for the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (The Hanoi Convention) reaffirmed Vietnam’s leadership in fostering international cybersecurity frameworks, a moment hailed by observers as historic for the country’s global standing.
Marking 30 years of ASEAN membership, Vietnam continued to act as a core contributor to the bloc’s unity and influence. At the United Nations, Vietnam’s credibility as a reliable partner remained widely recognized.
Having completed its 2023–2025 term on the UN Human Rights Council, Vietnam was re-elected for 2026–2028 with an overwhelming majority (180 out of 188 votes). The country also holds six out of seven key positions within UNESCO and continues to seek roles in other vital multilateral mechanisms.
Multilateral diplomacy has contributed to transforming Vietnam from a besieged and isolated nation into an active and responsible member of the international community. Economic diplomacy and international integration have increasingly become vital drivers for socio-economic development, mobilizing external resources and conditions for growth. Furthermore, areas such as overseas Vietnamese affairs, cultural diplomacy, external information, and citizen protection continue to be implemented effectively and comprehensively."
— Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son
Lessons from history
Few could have imagined, at the 6th National Party Congress in 1986, that Vietnam would one day achieve such prestige and influence in world affairs. As Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son noted that it was through trials and challenges in the most difficult phases of our revolutionary history that Vietnamese diplomacy learned lessons of enduring value.
Among those lessons such as putting national interests above all; maintaining the Party’s unified, decisive leadership, combining internal and external strength, and upholding firm principles while remaining flexible in strategy guided by the maxim “Di bat bien, ung van bien” (target is immutable, measure is flexible). Also vital are unity, consensus, and the “five knows” including knowing oneself, knowing others, knowing the times, knowing when to stop, and knowing when to act.
These principles proved essential during the turbulent early years of Doi Moi, when Vietnam faced severe economic hardship, international isolation, and embargoes. The 6th Congress charted a bold path, launching comprehensive reform to revive the economy, overcome isolation, and expand foreign relations.
Vietnam stayed firm during the existential challenges following the collapse of the Soviet Union and socialist regimes in Eastern Europe. The Party chose a clear and wise path by remaining steadfast in its core values. They placed national and people’s interests first and pursued socialism under absolute Party leadership, just as President Ho Chi Minh had advised Acting President Huynh Thuc Khang before his mission to France in 1946.
Throughout subsequent decades, Vietnam’s diplomacy has continued to evolve and adapt amid complex global changes, safeguarding national interests and preserving ideological consistency while navigating new challenges from technological disruption to the surge of social media influence and hostile misinformation.
Towards centennial goals
Vietnam’s foreign policy has always been anchored in firm foundations including Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s diplomatic thought, the nation’s millennia-old tradition of statecraft, and a clear understanding of domestic needs and global dynamics.
As an integral part of the Communist Party’s overall strategy, Vietnam’s external policy seeks to maximize opportunities, harness external resources, and combine national strength with the power of the times. For four decades, this has guided the country toward the socialist goal of prosperity, democracy, equity, and civilization.
The world now stands at a crossroads, with rapid transformations in politics, security, economics, science, and technology. Domestically, Vietnam enters a pivotal phase laying the groundwork to achieve its 2030 development goals and 2045 vision, marking a new era of national advancement.
As General Secretary To Lam emphasized that in this new era - the era of Vietnam’s rise- the country’s diplomacy must reach new heights, fulfilling its noble mission as a pioneering force of the Vietnamese revolution.
To achieve this, Vietnam’s diplomatic service must continue innovating, strengthening its ‘soft power’, and contributing to the early and long-term safeguarding of the socialist homeland.
