General Secretary To Lam and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son attended the ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam's diplomatic sector (August 28, 1945 - August 28, 2025) - Photo: VGP/Hai Minh

On the morning of August 25, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs solemnly held a ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnamese Diplomatic Service (August 28, 1945 - August 28, 2025).

Attending the ceremony were General Secretary To Lam; former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh; former President Truong Tan Sang; Politburo members: Nguyen Trong Nghia, Head of the Central Propaganda and Education Commission; Nguyen Xuan Thang, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics; Nguyen Hoa Binh , Permanent Deputy Prime Minister; Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense; Luong Tam Quang, Minister of Public Security.

On the side of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ceremony was attended by comrades: Bui Thanh Son, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister, Secretary of the Party Committee, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Nguyen Dy Nien, former member of the Party Central Committee, former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Pham Gia Khiem, former member of the Politburo, former Deputy Prime Minister, former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Nguyen Thi Binh, former member of the Party Central Committee, former Vice President, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam; and former leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, and the Overseas Party Committee.

Also attending were Party Central Committee members, alternate Party Central Committee members and leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; ambassadors and heads of foreign representative agencies in Vietnam.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son: Diplomacy over the past 80 years has been a journey of courage, intelligence and steadfast loyalty to the Party, the Fatherland and the people. Photo: VGP/Hai Minh

In his speech at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son affirmed that during the historic autumn days of the August Revolution and National Day, September 2, the Vietnamese diplomatic sector is celebrating a special milestone: the 80th anniversary of its establishment. This is not only an opportunity to review the past, but also to remember and show gratitude, while adding confidence, aspiration and responsibility on the road ahead.

Recalling the moment 80 years ago, when President Ho Chi Minh established the Provisional Revolutionary Government and directly assumed the position of the first Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed: "From that very beginning, the Vietnamese diplomatic sector has carried out a noble mission - to be the 'combined arm of the Vietnamese revolution' on the silent front, protecting independence and sovereignty, connecting our nation with friends from all over the world for the ideals of peace, justice and humanity".

Diplomacy over the past 80 years has been a journey of courage, intelligence and steadfast loyalty to the Party, the Fatherland and the people; of tense negotiations amid the flames of war; of courageous steps to break the siege and isolation, opening the door to integration; of being present at the right time and place at each important historical moment.

From the Preliminary Agreement of March 6, the Provisional Agreement of September 14, the Geneva Agreement of 1954 to the Paris Agreement of 1973 - each document, each line of text is imbued with the sweat, intelligence and blood of many generations of diplomatic officials. They are eloquent evidence of the soft power, strategic vision and tireless efforts of Vietnamese diplomacy; they are brilliant milestones, symbols of the mettle and intelligence of the Vietnamese people.

Entering the Doi Moi period, diplomacy continued to pioneer and pave the way, contributing to helping the country escape from the siege and embargo, normalize relations with other countries, expand the foreign policy with an independent, autonomous, multilateral, and diversified foreign policy, helping to affirm Vietnam's position in the international arena. From a country still standing on the sidelines of global flows, we have risen strongly, becoming a reliable partner, an active and responsible member of the international community.

Leaders, former leaders of the Party and State, ambassadors, heads of foreign representative agencies in Vietnam... attended the ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam's Diplomacy (August 28, 1945 - August 28, 2025) - Photo: VGP/Hai Minh

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son affirmed that, tested and tempered in practice at times when the country faced thousands of difficulties, the past 80 years have witnessed the maturity and outstanding efforts of Vietnam's revolutionary diplomacy. The diplomatic sector has made many achievements of historical significance, contributing to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. Thanks to that, the diplomatic sector has been honored by the State with the Gold Star Order twice, the Ho Chi Minh Order once and many other noble medals and titles.

"80 years - not just numbers, but many lives of dedication, the mark of thousands of diplomatic officers, from the elderly to today's young generation - many of whom accepted difficulties and challenges, leaving their homeland and family, to uphold national interests, for the image and prestige of Vietnam", said the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son expressed his remembrance and gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh, his deep gratitude to generations of Party and State leaders, his gratitude to previous generations of diplomatic staff, current diplomatic staff, departments, ministries, branches and localities as well as international friends and partners who have always accompanied Vietnam's diplomacy to have a proactive, humane, affectionate and responsible diplomacy.

Today, in a rapidly changing, complex and uncertain world, epochal changes pose urgent demands for innovative thinking, decisive action and strategic vision. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized: "The responsibility before the Fatherland, before history, before the people urges us to continue writing golden pages of history with courage, intelligence and great aspirations. We must constantly strive so that diplomacy continues to be the guiding flame, the glue connecting national and ethnic interests with the trend of the times, a solid foundation for development, a shining example of courage and dedication."

Continuing the glorious tradition of previous generations, on behalf of today's generation of diplomatic cadres, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son promised the Party, State, Government, National Assembly, people and the General Secretary that he would be determined to do his best, overcome all difficulties, to continue promoting the glorious history of modern Vietnamese diplomacy, contributing to the realization of the country's two 100-year goals in the new era, the era of strong, prosperous, civilized and happy development of the nation.

General Secretary To Lam speaks at the ceremony - Photo: VGP/Hai Minh

Speaking at the ceremony, General Secretary To Lam affirmed that Vietnamese diplomacy under the direct leadership of President Ho Chi Minh as the first Foreign Minister of an independent and free Vietnam carried a dual mission: to protect the newly gained independence and open the door to cooperative relations with friends across the five continents.

Along with national defense and security, the Party and Uncle Ho highly valued the vital role of diplomacy. He affirmed: "After defense, diplomacy is an essential issue for an independent country."

Through the upheavals of the times, General Secretary To Lam affirmed that Vietnamese diplomacy has constantly strived to improve itself, affirming the mettle of a nation that loves peace, aspires to development, and is mettlesome and clever in dealing with foreign affairs.

"Today, standing in the international community with a new position, we have the right to be proud that: Vietnamese diplomacy not only serves the Fatherland and the people, but also contributes to lighting up the belief in a world of peace, cooperation and development," the General Secretary emphasized.

General Secretary To Lam stated that Vietnamese diplomacy is facing a historic mission, which is to maintain a peaceful and stable environment, creating favorable conditions for the successful implementation of the country's major breakthroughs, especially the two 100-year goals, contributing to bringing the country into an era of prosperity.

In that context, the General Secretary requested to continue building a comprehensive, modern, professional diplomacy imbued with Vietnamese identity.

Diplomacy must ensure the highest national interests on the basis of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law; maintain independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and a peaceful and stable environment for national development.

The General Secretary requested to promote comprehensive diplomacy for development, focusing on economic diplomacy and technological diplomacy; proactively attract high-quality resources (strategic investment capital, core technology, elite human resources); continue to open markets, upgrade and sign new-generation, high-quality free trade agreements; connect infrastructure - logistics - supply chain - green finance initiatives; and enhance Vietnam's position in the global value chain.

Along with that, it enhances Vietnam's contribution to world politics, the global economy, human civilization, peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Diplomacy needs to be proactive, active, and propose initiatives at multilateral forums of strategic significance; strive to assume a core and leading role at multilateral forums and organizations of strategic importance, in accordance with specific requirements, capabilities, and conditions; strengthen commonalities, narrow differences, promote and enhance multilateral activities; proactively and actively contribute with other countries to building a fair and equal world political and economic order, based on the United Nations Charter and international law.

Besides, diplomacy needs to promote its pioneering role, ready to take the lead in priority areas of practical national interests, especially in responding to climate change, energy security, water security, and technology transfer.

Diplomacy also needs to proactively and responsibly participate in solving common regional and world issues; harmonize national interests with international obligations; increase Vietnam's contributions to United Nations peacekeeping activities and humanitarian relief, etc.

The General Secretary requested strong innovation in cultural diplomacy and foreign information, contributing to enhancing and consolidating the country's soft power, promoting the image, identity and values ​​of Vietnam, and enriching human civilization.

General Secretary To Lam presents the First Class Labor Medal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Photo: VGP/Hai Minh

In a world that is changing deeply and is difficult to predict, the General Secretary requires the diplomatic sector to truly be the eyes, ears, and reliable support for strategic advice for the Party and State on foreign affairs; closely coordinate with ministries, sectors, and localities, constantly improve the quality of research, forecasting, and strategic advice, and not let the Fatherland be passive or surprised in any situation.

To do that, the General Secretary said it is necessary to increase investment in research, innovate thinking and approaches to staff culture in the direction of being straightforward, responsible, daring to think, daring to do, daring to take responsibility for the interests of the nation.

Along with that, build an external research ecosystem through connecting strong research centers at home and abroad, overseas scholars, and businesses; promote the application of new technologies, especially artificial intelligence in research and consulting work; develop a strategic data analysis center; perfect the early warning mechanism, scenario-making of geo-economic-technological risks; propose timely and feasible response plans.

The diplomatic sector needs to continue building a team of "both red and professional" diplomatic staff to meet the requirements and tasks of the new era; do a good job of planning, training and fostering staff in political theory, international legal expertise, partner languages ​​and cultures, multilateral diplomacy skills, digital diplomacy and public diplomacy.

The General Secretary said that lifelong, non-stop learning is the guiding principle in building a team of cadres, civil servants and workers in the diplomatic sector; attracting and making good use of talents; creating an environment for young cadres to train themselves through difficult and new tasks; allocating sufficient resources to foreign affairs commensurate with the country's new position and strength to meet the requirements of tasks in the new situation; taking care of the material and spiritual life so that diplomatic cadres can confidently devote themselves.

At the same time, the diplomatic sector needs to tighten discipline, prevent and combat corruption, negativity, waste; focus on building clean and strong Party committees and organizations throughout the sector.

The General Secretary requested that the diplomatic sector continue to closely coordinate with ministries, departments, sectors and localities, especially defense and security, to create a solid "tripod" to protect the Fatherland early and from afar.

General Secretary To Lam firmly believes that Vietnamese diplomacy - with the mettle, intelligence, spirit and character of the Vietnamese people - will continue to be the pioneering and core force with glorious responsibilities: Creating and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, pioneering in connecting cooperation, opening up and attracting development resources, and constantly enhancing the country's position.

On this occasion, on behalf of the Party, State and people of Vietnam, General Secretary To Lam expressed his sincere thanks to international friends who have always stood shoulder to shoulder with Vietnam in the past struggle for independence and national reunification as well as in the cause of building and defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland today.

On behalf of the Party and State, the General Secretary awarded the First Class Labor Medal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and conferred the title of Labor Hero on former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh./.

According to baochinhphu.vn

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-tri-xa-hoi/tong-bi-thu-to-lam-ngoai-giao-thap-sang-niem-tin-ve-mot-the-gioi-hoa-binh-hop-tac-va-phat-trien-157089.html