Focus on economic diplomacy, achieve growth target of 8.3% - 8.5%

On the afternoon of July 22, in Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a conference with heads of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad on promoting economic diplomacy. The conference was connected online to 94 representative agencies and 34 provinces and cities.

Foreign affairs highlights and impressive results

At the Conference, delegates evaluated the results of economic diplomacy in the first 6 months of 2025, assessed the advantages and difficulties, drew lessons to strive together, implement more effectively and achieve more positive results in the last 6 months of the year.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs a conference with heads of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad. (Photo: VGP)

In nearly 50 foreign affairs activities of key leaders, Vietnam has upgraded relations with 10 countries. More than 253 cooperation agreements have been signed, double that of 2024, in which economics , trade, science and technology are the focus.

Economic diplomacy has made an important contribution to socio-economic achievements. GDP growth in the first 6 months of 2025 reached 7.52%, the highest in the past 15 years and leading ASEAN. The macro economy is stable, inflation is under control. Trade surplus reached more than 7.6 billion USD.

FDI investment was a highlight when registered capital reached over 21.5 billion USD, an increase of over 32.6% and the highest level in the past 15 years. Implemented FDI capital also reached 11.7 billion USD, an increase of 8.1%. Vietnamese representative agencies abroad have carried out nearly 300 economic diplomacy activities, supporting provinces and cities to sign 30 international agreements.

Delegates also appreciated the exploration of new, potential markets in Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. Notably, Vietnam is promoting negotiations on a series of new FTAs with the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and many other partners.

Accelerate and break through to achieve growth targets

In his concluding remarks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that it is necessary to firmly pursue an independent and self-reliant foreign policy, building an independent and self-reliant economy associated with deep international integration.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks. (Photo: VGP)

Emphasizing General Secretary To Lam's direction that "economic diplomacy is one of the focuses of new-era diplomacy", the Prime Minister requested to accelerate, make breakthroughs, concretize and immediately implement high-level agreements.

Regarding specific tasks, the head of the Government directed to continue deepening and deepening relations with neighboring countries and major partners. It is necessary to focus on renewing traditional growth drivers such as investment, export, and consumption, while strongly promoting new growth drivers such as digital transformation and green growth.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested to effectively exploit the 17 signed FTAs, while promoting the signing of new FTAs. He also directed to accelerate the implementation of Resolution No. 222/2025/QH15 on the International Financial Center in Vietnam, promote railway projects connecting with China, and continue efforts to remove the IUU yellow card.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that the growth target of 8.3 - 8.5% by 2025 is a very heavy and difficult task, but not impossible. He asked ministries, sectors, localities, enterprises and representative agencies to coordinate closely, strive together to overcome challenges, create momentum, create position and create strength for the country to firmly enter the new era.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/lay-ngoai-giao-kinh-te-lam-trong-tam-thuc-hien-nhiem-vu-tang-truong-tu-83-85-215009.html