It can be said that the vibrant and continuous foreign relations activities were a highlight of 2023. Nearly 50 delegations of leaders from various countries and international organizations visited, creating a new qualitative leap in Vietnam's foreign relations and international integration. Along with this, the framework of relations with many partners was elevated to a new level, demonstrating Vietnam's increasingly enhanced position and prestige.
A confident Vietnam on the world stage.
In recent years, many world leaders visiting Vietnam have had memorable experiences with the country and its people: US President Barack Obama ate bun cha at a humble Hanoi eatery; Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sat and drank coffee on the sidewalk; Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese enjoyed draft beer and banh mi in Hanoi's Old Quarter; President Vo Van Thuong and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol chatted by Hoan Kiem Lake; and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Prime Minister of Belarus, after visiting the Hanoi Flagpole, enjoyed relaxing moments with coffee, chicken-filled baguette sandwiches, and green tea caramel cake at a cafe within the historical site. These images not only reflect the trust and affection that politicians and international friends have for Vietnam, but also show that countries are increasingly viewing Vietnam as an important partner in their strategic cooperation and development.
It is evident that the recovery, stability, and development of the Vietnamese economy have significantly contributed to increasing the country's prestige and position in attracting international investment. This provides a solid foundation for Vietnam to affirm and enhance its prestige and position in all fields and international relations. In 2023, Vietnam welcomed many heads of state and high-ranking leaders from various countries: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin, President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Thoongloun Sisoulith, and Chairman of the Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen… These events are considered historically significant, contributing to affirming that "never before has our country had such a foundation, potential, prestige, and international position as it does today."
From a country once surrounded and embargoed, we have now expanded and deepened our relations with 193 countries and territories, including 3 countries with special relations, 6 comprehensive strategic partners, 12 strategic partners, and 12 comprehensive partners. Nearly 50 years after overcoming countless difficulties following a war, Vietnam has a voice on the international stage, and major powers have changed their attitudes towards Vietnam. This is because Vietnam has known how to create its own position. This position is based on correct political, domestic, and foreign policies, built on two important foundations. First, prioritizing national and ethnic interests as the ultimate goal and foundation. Second, Vietnam's foreign policy and diplomatic approach are based on righteousness. While there are many different viewpoints, tendencies, and political theories in the world, all nations look at a country's diplomacy to see if it is just and whether they will support it. Vietnam's flexibility in thinking and diplomatic approach in recent times has also proven effective.
These are intertwined relationships of mutual interest, both bilateral and multilateral. This is the art of diplomacy to elevate one's position, and Vietnam is doing well in this. Therefore, the fact that many heads of state from neighboring countries, major powers, and traditional friends visited Vietnam in 2023 once again demonstrates our position – a Vietnam with a strong aspiration to contribute to peace and prosperity in the region and on the international stage.
Opening a new chapter in Vietnam-US relations.
President Joe Biden's visit to Vietnam coincided with the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Paris Agreement between Vietnam and the United States, which ended US military intervention in Vietnam, and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership (2013-2023). Based on the interests of the people of both countries and the desire to strengthen cooperation towards the goals of peace, cooperation, and sustainable development in the new context, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden, on behalf of their respective countries, adopted a Joint Statement establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.
During his meeting with the US President, President Vo Van Thuong stated that in order to further deepen bilateral relations within the framework of the newly established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, both sides need to continue strengthening political and diplomatic relations, especially through meetings between high-level leaders of the two countries.
In 2023, many heads of state from important countries visited Vietnam, events considered historically significant, contributing to affirming that "never before has our country had such a foundation, potential, prestige, and international standing as it does today."
At the reception, the President emphasized the positive development of Vietnam-US relations, from former enemies to Comprehensive Strategic Partners. This is truly a model in the history of international relations for healing and building relations after the war. President Joe Biden also expressed confidence that Vietnam-US relations will continue to achieve even more successes. During the meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Joe Biden, the two leaders expressed their pleasure at the profound development of Vietnam-US relations on all three levels: bilateral, regional, and international. In particular, the economy, trade, and investment continue to be bright spots and driving forces of bilateral relations, with two-way trade reaching over US$123 billion in 2022. Cooperation between the two countries in science and technology, education and training, security and defense, post-war recovery, climate change response, and people-to-people exchanges continues to achieve significant progress.
During discussions with President Joe Biden on future cooperation between the two countries, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue requested that the United States expedite the process of recognizing Vietnam as a market economy; and continue to allocate resources to cooperation in overcoming the consequences of war, an indispensable area for healing, building, and strengthening trust, understanding, and mutual respect between the two states and peoples. The US President and accompanying senators agreed with the National Assembly Chairman's proposals and pledged to promote support for Vietnam-US relations and the early recognition of Vietnam's market economy status.
"New Positioning," "New Level" in Vietnam-China Relations
The State visit to Vietnam by General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping took place at a time when Vietnam and China were celebrating the 15th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, marking a new historical milestone in Vietnam-China relations. Building on the significant achievements of the past 15 years of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, President Xi Jinping's visit held high expectations for a "new positioning" and "new level" of bilateral relations; further deepening the cooperation framework for the long-term future of the two countries' relationship in a more sustainable, substantive, and effective manner, contributing to the trend of peace, stability, and cooperation in the region and the world. With a record 36 agreements signed between the two countries, President Xi Jinping's visit achieved many positive results in diplomacy, politics, defense, and security.
This is clearly demonstrated in high-level talks and meetings, and in the Vietnam-China Joint Statement. In it, both sides agreed to build a "Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future, strategically significant, striving for the happiness of the people of both countries, and for the cause of peace and progress of humanity." Through this activity, Chinese leaders and the international community have gained a fuller understanding of the achievements of the reform process, as well as the foundation, potential, position, and prestige of Vietnam. In particular, the economic results reflected in the 36 cooperation agreements signed between the two countries are all large-scale implementation frameworks, rather than specific projects.
Of particular note are the two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) on border railway cooperation and the two Action Plans for the period 2024-2026 on trade and economics. China is currently Vietnam's largest trading partner, Vietnam is China's largest trading partner in ASEAN countries, and China's fourth largest trading partner globally...
It can be said that the Joint Statement and the signing of 36 cooperation documents truly and vividly reflect the scale and depth of the Vietnam-China relationship. Especially at a time when the world is experiencing increasingly unpredictable changes, these events further strengthen and develop the traditional friendship between China and Vietnam, opening a new phase of development and creating new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries; while also outlining a grand plan for the in-depth development of Vietnam-China relations in the future.
NGUYEN HONG/DTTC
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