The position of the Ancestral Land in the flow of integration

Phu Tho province, the cradle of the Vietnamese nation, has been asserting its new role and position in the context of deep international integration. Foreign affairs work has been implemented proactively, flexibly, and creatively, especially in the areas of economic diplomacy, investment attraction, and cultural diplomacy, creating a strong impetus for growth in the Northern Midlands and mountainous region and the entire country.

Over the past period, Phu Tho province has seriously and promptly implemented and concretized the foreign policy guidelines and policies of the Party and the State. In particular, following the historic event of administrative boundary consolidation and the implementation of the two-tiered local government model from July 1, 2025, the province quickly stabilized its organizational structure and continued to fully implement the regulations on managing foreign affairs activities according to Regulation 272 and Conclusion 33-KL/TW of the Politburo .

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Tran Duy Dong and the provincial delegation attended the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Forum in Quang Ninh on November 25, 2025.

The Phu Tho Provincial Party Committee has issued specific action programs to implement Directive No. 15-CT/TW on economic diplomacy and Directive No. 25-CT/TW on multilateral foreign relations. The Resolution of the First Provincial Party Congress, term 2025-2030, also identifies improving the effectiveness of foreign relations and actively integrating into the international community as one of the key solutions. This consistency from policy to action has created a solid legal framework and political foundation for local foreign relations work, aiming to maximize socio-economic development.

Economic diplomacy has been identified as a key, fundamental task, playing a "spearhead" role in the province's foreign affairs work. Phu Tho has focused on building the image of the locality as an attractive, safe, and efficient destination for foreign investors.

Foreign businesses are given favorable conditions to operate effectively in industrial parks, contributing to the sustainable economic restructuring of the locality.

In 2025, especially after the merger, Phu Tho achieved outstanding results in attracting investment: FDI and DDI capital increased sharply: By November 2025, the province attracted US$912.5 million in FDI capital, a 39% increase compared to the same period. DDI capital is estimated at VND 62.3 trillion, nearly three times higher than the same period, clearly demonstrating the attractiveness and confidence of investors in the new business environment of Phu Tho.

Businesses have experienced remarkable growth. Administrative procedures, especially those related to investment and import/export, have been significantly streamlined. To date, the province has 40,900 businesses. The number of newly registered businesses reached 3,800, a 62.5% increase compared to the same period last year, exceeding the set target. Import and export turnover remains stable: Total import and export turnover in the first 10 months reached US$60,325 million, demonstrating the effective linkage between domestic production and international markets. This is the result of proactive, direct, and focused implementation of economic diplomacy.

The province has intensified its efforts to promote its investment environment, policies, potential, and opportunities through various media channels, from reputable economic magazines to digital platforms and major domestic and international news agencies (JETRO, KORCHAM, EUROCHAM).

Provincial leaders have directly led investment promotion delegations to potential markets, while actively welcoming and working with many large domestic economic groups and international organizations to explore investment opportunities.

A highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with AMATA Group (Thailand), witnessed by the Prime Ministers of Vietnam and Thailand. This is a strategic step aimed at attracting investment in industrial park infrastructure, smart urban areas, and high-quality human resource training, creating a breakthrough in industrial development and urbanization.

The effective implementation of new-generation Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) is also emphasized through the development of an FTA Index, demonstrating the province's commitment to comprehensive and deep integration into the international economy.

The province places great emphasis on cultural diplomacy, with foreign tourists visiting the Xoan singing troupe of Phu Tho province.

Phu Tho is the "Ancestral Land," home to two intangible cultural heritage sites representing humanity: the Hung Kings worshiping belief and Xoan singing. This is an unparalleled advantage for developing cultural diplomacy – a crucial pillar in enhancing the province's standing.

Cultural diplomacy activities have been actively implemented, closely following the Government's Cultural Diplomacy Strategy to 2030. The province maintains and strengthens coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee in preserving and promoting the value of the two World Heritage sites, as well as other typical heritage sites of Vinh Phuc and Hoa Binh after the merger.

Phu Tho province is actively completing its dossier to submit to UNESCO for recognition of Mo Muong as an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding, and is preparing a proposal for technical assistance to promote the value of Hat Xoan singing and the Hung Temple festival space. These efforts are not only a responsibility to the heritage but also the most effective way to promote Vietnamese cultural identity to the world.

Cultural diplomacy is closely linked with political and economic diplomacy, contributing to building the local brand: The province has organized and co-organized over 40 cultural and diplomatic events, while also strengthening external communication with the release of 12 multilingual promotional publications and the production of 14 tourism and cultural promotional videos, attracting over 1.8 million views on digital platforms. The thoughtful reception of 11 international delegations at the provincial level and the organization of numerous international conferences and seminars have created a positive impression, effectively promoting the image of Phu Tho as a friendly, hospitable, and potential-rich province.

Furthermore, people-to-people diplomacy has been strengthened through friendship associations and practical activities of the overseas Vietnamese community, enhancing solidarity and friendship between the people of Phu Tho and the people of other countries. Welcoming delegations of overseas Vietnamese visiting to explore cooperation and investment opportunities has strengthened relationships and mobilized intellectual and material resources to contribute to the socio-economic development of the province.

Achievements in foreign affairs have significantly contributed to enhancing Phu Tho province's position both domestically and internationally. Political stability, an attractive investment and business environment, and a rich cultural foundation have created new "soft power" and "attraction" for the ancestral land.

In the context of consolidation, the remarkable growth in attracting FDI and DDI, along with the expansion of international cooperation, is creating new development opportunities for the province. Phu Tho is becoming an important growth engine for the Northern Midlands and Mountains region, contributing positively to the overall development goals of the country.

With the close leadership and guidance of the Provincial Party Committee and the flexible and creative implementation by the local government, foreign affairs work in the next phase will continue to be promoted in a professional and modern direction, ensuring that diplomacy serves development most effectively, leading Phu Tho to rapid and sustainable development.

Le Chung

Source: https://baophutho.vn/vi-the-dat-to-trong-dong-chay-hoi-nhap-243947.htm