Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son has highlighted how Vietnam’s foreign policy reached new heights in 2024, creating favourable momentum for the country to enter a new era – that of the nation rise.

He told the press that despite global headwinds with instabilities, conflicts, and such emerging issues as climate change, natural disasters, food security and water security, Vietnam has maintained its position as a bright spot in the region regarding peace, stability and development. The country’s diplomatic activities were proactively carried out with substantive results, paving the way for its ascension.

Basing on the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations, throughout 2024, Vietnam demonstrated remarkable diplomatic dynamism, conducting 60 high-level diplomatic activities, including 21 visits to other countries and for participation in multilateral conferences, while hosting 25 delegations of foreign leaders. The country's commitment to international cooperation was further evidenced by the upgrade and signing of over 170 new cooperation agreements across various sectors, particularly those of its demand and interests.

The international community has increasingly respected and wished to bolster ties with Vietnam, Son said, elaborating that Vietnam upgraded its relations to comprehensive strategic partnerships with major partners like Australia, France and Malaysia, while establishing strategic partnerships with Brazil and comprehensive partnerships with Mongolia and the UAE. To date, the country has set up partnership frameworks with 32 leading partners, including neighbours, powerful nations, and traditional friends.

Besides, with the establishment of the diplomatic ties with Malawi, Vietnam now has official diplomatic relations with all African countries, bringing the total number of nations with which Vietnam has set up diplomatic relations to 194.

Economic diplomacy continued to greatly contribute to the country's economic achievements despite global economic challenges, he said, stressing that the economic content has taken on greater weight in diplomatic activities at all levels, through which Vietnam has fostered partnerships with China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the US, among others in digital transformation, green transition, semiconductor and AI.

Vietnam has engaged in new supply chains and expanded export markets through the 17 signed free trade agreements, while capitalising on regional investment shifts and attracting high-quality foreign direct investment (FDI) and new-generation official development assistance (ODA).

This year, the country’s foreign trade turnover is expected to smash a record of over 800 billion USD. Furthermore, Vietnam continues to be one of the world’s largest FDI recipients and welcomed more than 15.8 million international tourist arrivals during January - November, a year-on-year increase of 44%. The figures underscore Vietnam’s growing attractiveness to international partners, investors and visitors, he went on.

Son acknowledged that while the world faces complex and unpredictable developments, new growth opportunities are emerging in areas such as green economy, digital transformation, and technological advancement. He noted that Vietnam, having built considerable momentum through nearly 40 years of Doi moi (Renewal), is now at a crucial juncture to enter a new era.

To achieve the goals, Son said economic diplomacy should focus on maximising traditional growth drivers such as exports, investment, and tourism by fully leveraging existing trade agreements and investment partnerships. Besides, it is necessary to promote new and breakthrough motives in emerging sectors.

The focus will be channelled into identifying and capitalising on the new trends that are shaping up the global economy like digital transformation, green transition and energy transition, he said, pointing to recent deals with companies like Nvidia as examples of Vietnam's push into high-technology sectors.

In the face of major global upheavals, the defence - security - foreign affairs have formed a solid foundation to firmly protect the national sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as safeguard the Fatherland early and from afar.

According to Son, the diplomatic sector has worked alongside other forces to maintain peaceful and stable borders, seas, islands, and national security, achieve significant progress in negotiations with other countries, harmoniously resolve outstanding issues, and promote the building of a code of conduct in the East Sea based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnam, he held, has increasingly affirmed its role, position and prestige as well as made positive contributions to the international community with an array of initiatives that have been welcomed and received enthusiastic response from countries. As a member of the UN Human Rights Council and six out of the seven key governing mechanisms of UNESCO, Vietnam has strengthened its image and responsible voice by adopting a comprehensive and harmonious approach. Additionally, the country has contributed to such global issues as climate change, peacekeeping operations, food and water security, and cybersecurity.

Through diplomatic efforts, Vietnam successfully persuaded UNESCO to inscribe six additional heritage titles/sites, bringing the total number of UNESCO designations to 71, creating new resources for economic, cultural, and social development in local communities. In the meantime, the country has well implemented the Party and State’s policies for nearly 6 million overseas Vietnamese and paid due regard to protecting the rights and legitimate interests of the Vietnamese citizens and businesses in conflict zones, disaster-stricken areas, and unstable regions, according to the official.

Looking ahead to 2025, Vietnam is set to host major events such as the ASEAN Future Forum, the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit, and the UN Conference on Trade and Development, further cementing its role in regional and global affairs. The country will make further contributions to global issues, including promoting the Sustainable Gevelopment Goals and engaging more deeply in the UN peacekeeping operations, rescue efforts, and humanitarian assistance.

As the country is propelling into a new era which requires the engagement of all sectors, forces, the whole political system and people, Son stressed that the foreign affairs sector must continue working to consolidate and maintain a strategic environment of peace, friendship and cooperation.

It is essential to build a diplomatic sector that is increasingly comprehensive, modern, and professional, capable of meeting the demands of the new phase. This involves streamlining the organisational structure, ensuring it operates efficiently and effectively, while aligning with mechanisms and policies that facilitate the diplomatic work. It is also crucial to develop foreign affairs personnel with sound expertise and strong political mettle, Son added./.