Science and technology diplomacy becomes a new spearhead

On January 1, 2026, Party Central Committee Secretary and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung wrote an article: "Vietnam's foreign affairs actively contribute to the successful implementation of the country's strategic goals", emphasizing that in the past year, Vietnam has upgraded relations with 17 partners, bringing the total number of partners with relations from the Comprehensive Partnership to 42 countries or more.

"The highlight of the past year is the substance and effectiveness of high-level visits that have been further enhanced, demonstrated through the signing of nearly 350 cooperation agreements, 2.5 times higher than in 2024. We have also integrated the organization of major national holidays (50 years of the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, 80 years of the successful August Revolution and National Day) and the participation in the major celebration of partners to promote bilateral cooperation" - Minister Le Hoai Trung wrote.

Minister Le Hoai Trung said that in 2025, economic diplomacy has performed well the basic and central tasks of foreign affairs work, closely following the development goals set by the Party and the Government.

Economic diplomacy and scientific and technological diplomacy have soon thoroughly implemented major policies of the Politburo such as Resolutions 57, 59, 66, 68, 70.

Economic diplomacy has been effectively integrated into high-level foreign affairs activities, reaching a record number of commitments and agreements in areas where we have needs and benefits such as diversification, market expansion, investment attraction, strategic connections, and bringing Vietnam deeper into the regional and global supply chain.

Economic diplomatic activities have focused on strengthening support for connectivity between localities and businesses, thereby expanding markets and partners, meeting the development goals of sectors, fields and localities.

Science and technology diplomacy has become a new spearhead, focusing on innovation, digital transformation and green transformation, contributing to the realization of the development of 11 strategic technologies, making a substantial contribution to the implementation of Resolution 57 of the Politburo.

In the context of many risks in global trade, many countries unexpectedly adjusted policies, economic diplomacy has contributed to solving problems, advising on building flexible policy responses, improving the economy's adaptability, resilience and strategic autonomy, and maintaining growth momentum.

Vietnam's total import-export turnover in 2025 will exceed 900 billion USD, strengthening Vietnam's position in the group of 15 economies with the largest trade scale globally.

Promoting negotiations on new FTAs, expanding the Halal market, diversifying supply chains, contributing to enhancing the potential and resilience of the economy.

Through the implementation of diverse and creative foreign economic activities, international investment capital flows into the country continue to reach new records. Registered FDI capital in 2025 will reach about 35.2 billion USD (up 15.6%), while disbursed capital will reach a record of nearly 23 billion USD.

"It is encouraging that investment projects are of higher quality, focused, key and meet our priorities on science, technology and innovation, environmental protection, and strategic infrastructure construction with a long-term vision" - Minister Le Hoai Trung said.

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