When foreign leaders stroll the streets and drink draft beer in Vietnam

Personally, I am very impressed and many people also shared with me that they feel excited about the series of diplomatic activities on the sidelines (along with official activities) of leaders of countries when visiting Vietnam such as walking around the streets, visiting museums, learning about culture, enjoying cuisine...

Just counting from the beginning of the year until now, we have seen many such events: the Malaysian Prime Minister and our Prime Minister went to the book street, drank coffee; the President of South Korea andthe President walked around Hoan Kiem Lake, had breakfast at a Vietnamese restaurant; the Prime Minister of Luxembourg and our Prime Minister visited the Temple of Literature and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Then the Australian Prime Minister himself went to learn about a very rustic and popular dish of Hanoi : draft beer and bread; or before that, at the end of 2022, the German Prime Minister also walked around the streets from Hang Gai to Bo Ho, visited the Temple of Literature and was given calligraphy.

These are beautiful images, from daily activities raised to the level of high-level leadership, containing messages and deep symbolism.

Australian Prime Minister Albanese shouted "1,2,3 cheers" with other diners drinking beer in the pub.

First of all, these are images of a truly peaceful, attractive and hospitable Vietnam. The fact that our leaders and their companions participate in a sideline activity shows the intimacy, friendship and sharing between the two countries and the two leaders. When leaders of other countries visit us, having their own programs is also a proactive way to convey a message.

The common point of these activities is the appreciation, discovery and integration with the country and people of the place you visit. Like the Australian Prime Minister, when enjoying Vietnamese beer and bread, along with the closeness and simplicity, it also immediately connected to the connection between the two countries, with Australia being the exporter of malt and wheat flour to Vietnam, the main ingredients of beer and bread.

Through the conversation over a glass of draft beer, the message is that the two countries have and can still complement and support each other a lot in economy and trade.

The above images remind me of the country in the early days of renovation. At that time, we were still facing many difficulties. In terms of foreign affairs, it was not until the mid-1990s that we really broke the siege and normalized relations with Southeast Asia and major countries.

At that time, there was a very important event: French President Francois Mitterrand visited Vietnam. I have heard stories from previous generations in the diplomatic field for a long time, but I still remember them. In 1993, the French President was probably the first head of state of a Western country to visit Vietnam since the war.

Along with the official program, President Mitterrand was also arranged to take a car tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter, which has many traces of French architecture. When arriving at Dong Xuan Market, President Mitterrand suddenly suggested getting out and walking around the streets, in a context that was not prepared in advance by the host.

At that time, we also hesitated for a moment, because this was not in the script, but in the end, the French President's proposal was still carried out. A President walking around Hanoi's Old Quarter at that time was a very meaningful image of the new relationship between the two countries, which were former enemies, of a Vietnam that overcame the difficulties of war, siege, embargo, and now reforming, opening up to foreign relations and integration.

Another story, more than two decades ago, in 2000, Mr. Bill Clinton was the first US President to visit Vietnam since the end of the war. The visit was aimed at promoting relations and healing the wounds of war, for both sides. There was a story that the press at that time published quite vividly, which was the image of President Clinton reaching across the balcony, shaking hands with young Vietnamese people in the house next door, when he arrived at the building opposite the Temple of Literature.

Mr. Clinton shakes hands with Vietnamese people from the balcony of a building opposite the Temple of Literature, Hanoi on November 17, 2000. (Photo: AP).

Then President Obama visited Vietnam in 2016, when I was the Vietnamese Ambassador to the US. In addition to official activities, Mr. Obama visited a bun cha restaurant in Hanoi with Anthony Bourdain - a famous chef. This image spread around the world and created a huge media effect not only for President Obama but also for our Vietnam as an attractive destination.

Also during the visit, when Mr. Obama came to Ho Chi Minh City and met and interacted with many young Vietnamese people, rapper Suboi was one of the young people who asked the US President a question directly. Mr. Obama suggested: "Before I answer your question, can you sing a rap?". Suboi rapped and the whole audience burst out with excitement at the interesting request and this rap exchange.

Most recently, in April this year, when US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Vietnam, he also walked, ate on Trang Tien Street and especially listened to Jazz music at Quyen Van Minh Club - a pioneer in bringing Jazz music to Vietnam more than a quarter of a century ago.

I was one of the people who coordinated with the US Embassy to organize this music listening session. The exchange was very friendly, overcoming the distances of language, culture, rank, and title. Mr. Blinken said: "When we come together to music like this, there is only sharing and empathy between us, without any distance of nationality, skin color or language."

That night, there were both American and Vietnamese jazz songs, ending with the song "New York, New York", the hometown of Secretary of State Blinken. We also prepared something very symbolic, celebrating his birthday the next day. With such a "musical circle", Mr. Antony Blinken emotionally shared: "We go from Hanoi, take a tour around the world with music, Vietnam, America and other countries, and finally return to my hometown, New York".

It can be affirmed that in foreign affairs, countries pay great attention to symbolic activities as well as statements of high-ranking leaders.

For example, when American leaders speak during their visits to Vietnam, they often quote the Tale of Kieu by the great poet Nguyen Du or the literature and poetry of other famous cultural figures.

Or like the story of the South Korean President visiting the US, last June, in a political speech at the two Houses of the US Congress, there was an interesting passage as follows: "Our two countries also share and exchange culture with each other. I am the President of South Korea coming here, maybe many people don't know my name, but surely you have known BTS or Blackpink. BTS beat me when they came to the White House before me, but I beat both BTS and Blackpink when I came to your Congress before them". The speech when it reached that part created a highlight that received great response from the congressmen.

As mentioned above, in recent years in Vietnam's foreign affairs activities, there is a very prominent point, which is the open and close contact between leaders of countries and our country's leaders with the people, right on the streets and in the places they visit.

Those images are so peaceful, and I think that the story between the leaders in an outdoor space, in the middle of nature and in a context directly witnessed by the people, will share about the relationship between the two countries through historical and cultural stories.

In foreign affairs, although the activities are called sidelines of the official visits of high-ranking leaders, countries must choose very carefully and prepare carefully. The most important story here is always the message and symbolism of these activities, associated with high-ranking leaders and the relationship between the two countries; both demonstrating friendly, close, sincere, open exchanges, and ensuring the scope of culture and foreign affairs.

"Sideline activities" are very difficult and challenging for diplomats on both sides, how to create symbolism without simplifying or allowing duplication.

Activities like the recent ones have clearly had a great influence and inspiration, highlighting the success of the visits, and moreover, the relationship between the two countries and between the leaders. And, they have also deepened the image of a peaceful, beautiful, innovative and developing Vietnam, with open, friendly and hospitable Vietnamese people.

Certainly through those activities, both the guests and we have positive experiences.

Author: Mr. Pham Quang Vinh is the former Vietnamese Ambassador to the US and former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Vinh served as Head of the ASEAN-Vietnam Senior Officials' Meeting for 7 years.

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