Foreign relations in a leading position.

In 2025, Vietnam upgraded its relations with many countries. Along with the 80th anniversary of its development and growth, Vietnamese diplomacy played a pioneering and leading role, opening up a favorable foreign policy landscape and moving towards a leading position.

General Secretary To Lam stated: “In the new era, the era of national resurgence, Vietnamese diplomacy must rise to new heights to fulfill new glorious responsibilities, worthy of being the vanguard, the combined arms of the Vietnamese revolution.” The draft document submitted to the 14th Party Congress adds “foreign affairs and international integration” along with national defense and security as “key and ongoing tasks.” “Foreign affairs and international integration” is placed in the position of “main force,” on par with national defense and security.

Modern diplomacy continues to enter a phase of expanding foreign relations with the principle of "being a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community," and "multilateralizing and diversifying relations."

While before the Doi Moi (Renovation) period, Vietnam only had relations with over 100 countries, by 2025 it will have established official diplomatic relations with all United Nations member states. In particular, upgrading the frameworks of partnerships with these countries is a crucial step in the process of international integration.

In late October 2025, Vietnam and the UK established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the official visit of General Secretary To Lam and his wife. The UK became Vietnam's 14th Comprehensive Strategic Partner.

A Comprehensive Strategic Partnership represents the highest level in Vietnam's foreign relations with other countries. This is a deep and comprehensive relationship spanning many fields such as politics , economics, defense, security, education, and culture. Through a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the parties commit to long-term interests, mutual support, and the promotion of deep and comprehensive cooperation in all areas of mutual benefit, aiming for strategic trust.

In particular, amidst a complex international situation, Vietnam's comprehensive strategic partnership framework with all five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China) contributes to consolidating a favorable foreign policy environment and enhancing the country's standing. Vietnam has continued to actively and proactively pursue an independent and self-reliant foreign policy aimed at peace, cooperation for development, and the multilateralization and diversification of relations.

The rich content of joint statements with countries within the highest framework, as well as the diverse agreements reached with partners with great potential in economics, science and technology, defense, and security, opens up very significant opportunities for the implementation of the Party's major and important policies and guidelines, especially the key resolutions, providing concrete conditions to achieve progress and contribute to the realization of the country's strategic goals.

Following the upgrading of diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom, Party Central Committee Secretary and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung affirmed that Vietnam is currently experiencing new favorable conditions that need to be effectively utilized. Leveraging international agreements and new cooperation frameworks in key sectors will help Vietnam supplement important resources for its development process.

Faced with the rapid and unpredictable changes in the international situation, Vietnam's foreign policy has been flexible, adaptable, creative, and dynamic in its strategy, following the principles of "maintaining constancy while adapting to change," "knowing oneself and others," "knowing the times and circumstances," "knowing firmness and flexibility," and "knowing when to advance and when to retreat." As a result, Vietnam has maintained a favorable overall foreign policy environment for national development and nation-building, while simultaneously affirming its capabilities, reliability, and responsibility.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/doi-ngoai-o-vi-the-chu-cong-2490885.html