Book launch: 'Stories of Diplomatic Missions in the Era of Integration'

On December 15th, the Diplomatic Academy held a book launch ceremony for "Stories of Diplomatic Missions in the Era of Integration - Continuing the Memoirs of Ambassadors," commemorating the 80th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam's diplomatic service.

"Stories of Diplomatic Missions in the Era of Integration" compiles stories, experiences, and practical lessons from Vietnamese ambassadors and heads of representative offices abroad. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Attending the ceremony were Nguyen Minh Vu, Alternate Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs ; Ambassador Ngo Quang Xuan, the book's editor-in-chief; ambassadors who authored the stories in the book; leaders of the Diplomatic Academy; and representatives of the Industry and Trade Publishing House.

In the context of increasingly deep international integration, Vietnamese ambassadors and heads of representative offices abroad play a particularly important role, serving as essential bridges in promoting bilateral and multilateral relations with international partners. They are not only diplomatic representatives but also pioneers in normalizing and developing relations with other countries, especially those with differing institutions and interests.

Through political , economic, cultural, and people-to-people diplomatic activities, ambassadors contribute to building trust, expanding cooperation, promoting the image of their countries, and connecting international resources to serve socio-economic development.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu believes this will be a valuable guide for future generations of diplomats. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Recognizing the strategic role of foreign affairs, the Party and State have continuously refined foreign policy and diplomacy guidelines to suit each specific historical context. Resolution 59 identified international integration as a central and overarching task, with ambassadors as the core force directly implementing foreign policy guidelines and contributing to affirming Vietnam's position as a reliable partner and an active and responsible member of the international community.

Therefore, the book "Stories of Diplomatic Missions in the Era of Integration – Continuing the Memoirs of Ambassadors," edited by Ambassador Ngo Quang Xuan, was created to contribute to a clearer understanding of Vietnam's foreign policy and diplomatic activities associated with each period of the nation's history.

This is the second book, following the first, published in December 2024, compiling stories, experiences, and practical lessons from Vietnamese ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions abroad.

Delegates at the launch ceremony. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

The Ambassadors hope that, through the practical stories in the book, viewed through the personal lens of those who directly participated in and witnessed important foreign affairs events of the country, readers will gain a clearer, more authentic, and more vivid understanding of Vietnam's diplomatic work in the process of international integration.

The practical stories in the book not only reflect the courage, intelligence, and acumen of Vietnamese diplomats but also demonstrate their spirit of service to the nation, their perseverance, and their flexibility in handling complex situations on the international stage; contributing to the realization of the aspiration to build a strong, prosperous Vietnam with an increasingly significant voice and role in regional and global issues.

Besides its historical and practical value, the book hopes to contribute to spreading social awareness about the role of foreign affairs and the silent but significant contributions of diplomatic staff.

This is also a useful reference for the younger generation, especially those pursuing a career in diplomacy, helping them better understand the mission , responsibilities, and necessary qualities of a diplomat, particularly a Vietnamese ambassador in the new era.

I highly appreciate the book "Stories of Diplomatic Missions in the Era of Integration," initiated by Ambassador Ngo Quang Xuan with the collaboration of many ambassadors from the late 20th and early 21st centuries – those who served as "bridges" between Vietnam and the world during this special period. Launched in December 2023, the book was widely welcomed by readers, contributing to spreading the image and prestige of a peaceful, conscientious, dynamic, and creative diplomacy during the early stages of the country's integration.

Therefore, I believe that the articles in the book published in 2025 are little-known stories about the diplomatic activities of ambassadors, thereby helping readers better understand the character, competence, and ability to flexibly apply the principle of "maintaining constancy while adapting to change" of Vietnamese ambassadors in the past.

This book will be a valuable reference, drawing on the practical experience of ambassadors, contributing to enriching the knowledge and directly serving the learning, research, and work of young diplomats and numerous students studying diplomacy and international relations both domestically and abroad.

Former Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cam wrote in the introduction to the book.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ra-mat-sach-chuyen-di-su-thoi-hoi-nhap-337796.html