International integration - an important driving force bringing the country into a new era

Recently, in the Draft Political Report, it is written that "... strengthening national defense and security and promoting foreign affairs and international integration are essential and regular tasks". The Central Committee's first determination that "foreign affairs and international integration" are on par with national defense and security as essential and regular tasks has opened up a more comprehensive strategic framework for national defense, marking a renewal of the Party's strategic vision in the context of deep integration and increasingly fierce global geopolitical and economic competition.

International integration - the Party's strategic policy and vision

Photo caption — Signing of the Vietnam - UK Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) on December 29, 2020, in London. Photo: VNA

International integration is the strategic policy of the Communist Party of Vietnam in the process of building, developing and defending the Fatherland. Right from the beginning of the Doi Moi process, our Party has clearly identified: openness, cooperation and integration are prerequisites to promote internal strength, take advantage of external strength, and bring the country to rapid and sustainable development.

That viewpoint was consistently affirmed in Congresses, such as: the 9th Congress (2001) with the policy of "proactively integrating into the international economy "; the 11th Congress (2011) with the policy of "proactively and actively integrating into the international community"... In particular, in the draft documents submitted to the 14th Party Congress, the new development orientation clearly stated: "Economic and social development and environmental protection are central; Party building is key; cultural and human development are the foundation; strengthening national defense and security and promoting foreign affairs and international integration are essential and regular".

This is not only the inheritance of the Innovation mindset but also demonstrates the strategic vision and political mettle of the Party in the period of globalization and increasingly fierce international competition.

Looking back at history, since Vietnam joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2007, our country has gradually affirmed its position as a dynamic economy with the leading openness in the region. To date, Vietnam has signed and implemented 17 free trade agreements (FTAs), including many new generation FTAs such as: Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Vietnam - European Union Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), Vietnam - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) ...; at the same time, expanding the space for cooperation with most important strategic partners in the world.

Currently, Vietnam has diplomatic relations with more than 195 countries and territories, including all 193 members of the United Nations; established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework with all 5 permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, bringing the total number of Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships of our country to 14 countries. Vietnam is a member of more than 70 international organizations and forums, in which it plays many active roles, such as: Non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (3 terms), Vice President of the United Nations General Assembly (77th Term), Chairman of ASEAN (3 times), Member of the UNESCO Executive Council...

From a political perspective, integration helps Vietnam enhance its international position and prestige, expand its foreign relations space, and contribute to creating a peaceful and stable environment for national development. Economically, integration has become an important "lever" to promote growth, shift economic structure, and enhance competitiveness. Socially, integration creates conditions to improve the quality of human resources, acquire knowledge, advanced science and technology, and contribute to improving people's lives. That is a vivid demonstration of the Party's strategic and wise vision in leading the international integration process.

New achievements and motivations from international integration

In fact, after nearly four decades of Renovation, international integration has created a leap forward in the scale, quality and influence of the Vietnamese economy.

According to the General Statistics Office, in 2024, the total import and export turnover of goods will reach 786.29 billion USD, making Vietnam one of the 20 most open economies in the world. The trade balance continues to maintain a surplus of 24.77 billion USD, the 9th consecutive year of trade surplus; accumulated foreign direct investment (FDI) will reach over 502 billion USD, with many large-scale projects in the fields of high technology, clean energy, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and supporting industries.

Global corporations such as Samsung, Intel, LG, Apple... are expanding production in Vietnam, making our country an important "link" in the global supply chain. Along with that, a series of Vietnamese enterprises such as Viettel, FPT, Vingroup, Thaco... have reached out to the world market, affirming their capacity for innovation and international competitiveness.

Integration also contributes strongly to the transformation of the growth model from breadth to depth. The proportion of processed and manufactured industrial products in total export turnover reaches more than 88%, while key agricultural products such as rice, coffee, cashew nuts, and seafood continue to maintain their top position in the world. Vietnam has become one of the 40 largest economies in the world, among the top 20 trading countries, ranked 32nd in the top 100 strongest national brand values in the world.

In the field of foreign affairs and multilateral cooperation, Vietnam continues to demonstrate its role as an active and responsible member of the international community. Many of Vietnam's initiatives at the United Nations, ASEAN, APEC, ASEM, etc. are highly appreciated, especially initiatives on green growth, equitable energy transition (JETP) and inclusive digital transformation. Vietnam is deeply involved in regional cooperation mechanisms such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), making positive contributions to the ASEAN Community.

The above results have affirmed the real effectiveness of integration and demonstrated Vietnam's new position in the profoundly changing global situation. However, the integration process still faces many challenges: the competitiveness of domestic enterprises is still limited; the export structure is not sustainable; the ability to adapt to high standards on environment, labor, and green transformation is still weak; the risk of dependence on supply chains and the impact of global geopolitical fluctuations are increasing.

Faced with that reality, our Party firmly holds the view that integration must be associated with building an independent and self-reliant economy; national independence must be associated with self-reliance, creativity and deep integration. It is this connection that has helped Vietnam not to be passively swept away by the flow of globalization, but to proactively shape its position, choose its own development path, take internal strength as the foundation, and integrate to develop faster and more sustainably.

Promoting the power of integration to develop a prosperous and happy country

The great achievements in the international integration process in recent times have affirmed the correctness and creativity of the Party in combining national strength with the strength of the times. However, the world context is changing rapidly, complexly, and unpredictably, requiring a new strategy for more effective and sustainable integration.

Accordingly, on December 22, 2024, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW on international integration in the new situation. The Resolution identifies the general goal of improving the quality, efficiency, synchronization and comprehensiveness of the international integration process, maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for national development, while maximizing external resources to build an independent, self-reliant, self-reliant, self-reliant and fast-developing, sustainable economy...

The specific goals are: International economic integration; International integration in politics, defense, and security; International integration in science, technology, innovation, culture, society, tourism, environment, education and training, health care, and other fields; Enhancement of capacity and political mettle for international integration.

To realize this goal, the Resolution sets out key tasks and solutions, such as: strengthening the Party's leadership, innovating thinking and action in integration; improving the effectiveness of economic integration associated with economic restructuring, innovating the growth model and promoting digital transformation; promoting political, defense and security integration in a deep and effective direction, contributing to maintaining a peaceful environment, protecting the Fatherland early and from afar; promoting international integration in the fields of science, technology, innovation, culture, society, tourism, environment, education, training and health; improving the capacity to implement international commitments, associated with perfecting domestic institutions and laws; at the same time, improving the effectiveness of directing and coordinating integration work, promoting the proactive role of localities.

After nearly a year of implementation, the implementation of Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW on international integration in the new situation has achieved many important initial results. Ministries, branches and localities have proactively developed action programs, concretized them into plans and projects suitable to practical conditions. Economic integration continues to be promoted; FDI attraction has reached a high level, focusing on high-tech fields, energy conversion and digital economy.

At the same time, integration in national defense, security and foreign affairs has been implemented synchronously, contributing to consolidating a peaceful and stable environment and enhancing Vietnam's international reputation. In particular, cooperation activities in the fields of science and technology, education, culture, health and tourism have been expanded, promoting innovation and sustainable development. These results affirm the proactive, creative and responsible spirit of the entire political system in realizing the strategic orientation set out in Resolution 59.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/chinh-tri/hoi-nhap-quoc-te-dong-luc-quan-trong-dua-dat-nuoc-buoc-vao-ky-nguyen-moi-20251106074051823.htm