Economic diplomacy changes strongly due to the strong development of the nation

Lao Dong respectfully introduces an article by Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh: "Economic delegation has strongly transformed for the strong development of the nation".

In the exciting atmosphere towards the 14th National Party Congress, under the leadership of the Party, the Government and all levels, sectors and localities are actively preparing to resolutely, synchronously and effectively implement orientations, tasks and solutions in all fields according to the Congress Resolution; in which economic diplomacy work, of special importance, contributes to "guiding and paving the way", attracting resources, creating opportunities, opening up new development space to bring our country to rapid and sustainable development in the new era.

2025 is a big moment, marking 80 years of our nation regaining independence, our people gaining freedom, 50 years of our river being unified.

Under the leadership of the beloved Party and President Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese people have made historical miracles. From a country with an unknown name on the world map, Vietnam today has a strong foundation, potential, position and increasingly high international prestige.

Entering a new era of development, with resilience, intelligence, compassion and aspiration to rise up, the entire Vietnamese nation is making efforts to "mentuel" a big sails, steadfastly rowing to bring Vietnamese boats to the great sea.

Throughout the flow of the times, on each step of the country's journey, Vietnamese diplomacy has made great contributions, of great significance.

From the early days of protecting the young independence, fighting for the integrity of the river, uniting the country, to the journey to break the situation of encroachment, embargo and promote extensive and comprehensive international integration, Vietnamese diplomacy has always left a strong impression, making important contributions to contribute to "turning the risk into a factor", "turning difficulties into difficulties", "turning the situation around", "turning the state", creating an optimal favorable foreign situation for the country's development.

In the mid 70s, after the country was unified and peaceful again, with a strategic vision, sharp thinking, accurate assessment of the world situation and domestic conditions, our Party soon determined that economic diplomacy to serve the country's recovery after the war was necessary, a new direction that needed to be focused on. Since then, economic diplomacy has left a strong impression in many development milestones and strategic integration of the country.

Notable among them are: Research on world development models and trends to advise the Party and State on planning guidelines and policies for economic development and national renewal (Decade 80); breaking the status of embargo, normalizing relations with major financial institutions, gradually integrating with the international community, attracting foreign investment, aid from partners (Decade 90); "paving the way" for the international economic integration process with many particularly important milestones of strategic significance, changing the face of the country [1] (from 1995 to present). These are milestones of strategic significance, opening up great development opportunities, connecting and affirming Vietnam's important role and contribution to the regional and world economy.

The thinking and awareness of the Party and State about economic diplomacy are constantly being innovated and perfected to keep up with the rapid changes of the times, meeting new development requirements of the country.

In particular, economic diplomacy is always identified as a key, regular task in foreign affairs activities, basically, the center of the Vietnamese diplomacy, an important driving force for the country's rapid and sustainable development.

Since the beginning of the term, in the past 5 years, the world context has been unstable, uncertain and with more unfavorable factors than the previous period; in which difficulties, challenges and opportunities, advantages intertwined, but difficulties and challenges are more.

However, with high determination, great efforts, and drastic actions of the entire Party, people, and army, our country has achieved many important and proud development achievements of historical significance in all fields.

The economy is increasingly affirming better resilience to external shocks; in 2025, GDP growth will accelerate to 8.02%, among the high-growth countries in the region and the world [2], especially the macro economy will be kept stable, inflation will be controlled, and major balances of the economy will be guaranteed.

The size of the economy in 2025 will reach about 514 billion USD, GDP per capita is estimated at 5,026 USD, putting Vietnam in the group of high-middle-income countries.

Traditional growth drivers are all effective; Vietnam is among the top 15 developing countries in attracting foreign investment and the top 20 countries in the world in terms of trade scale [3].

New growth drivers have achieved many important steps forward; in which the growth rate of the digital economy and ICT industry is faster than GDP; our country's global innovation ranking leads the national group with income level [4]; initially achieved important, strategic, breakthroughs in some key technology fields such as artificial intelligence, high-speed railways, semiconductors, nuclear energy, ... and developed high-quality human resources.

Cultural and social fields are increasingly developing; environmental protection is concerned; social security is guaranteed; the material and spiritual life of the people is constantly improved [5].

National defense and security potential is consolidated and enhanced; independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the country are maintained; social order and safety are guaranteed.

In particular, foreign affairs and international integration are bright spots in the context of many difficulties in the world situation; in which economic diplomacy has achieved many impressive results.

Technology diplomacy is promoted, contributing to creating breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, digital transformation and building an independent and autonomous economy associated with extensive, substantial and effective international integration.

Vietnam's prestige and international position are increasingly enhanced in the world economy, global politics and human civilization.

To date, Vietnam has signed and participated in 17 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs); has diplomatic relations with 194 countries, including all United Nations members; has established a comprehensive partnership framework with 42 or more countries, including 17 G20 members, and has comprehensive strategic partnerships with all 5 permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

Vietnam takes on many important multilateral responsibilities such as re-election of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026 - 2028 term, host of the ASEAN Future Forum, 4th Summit of the Partnership Forum for Green Growth and Global Goals 2030 (P4G), Opening Ceremony to sign the Convention against Cybercrime...

To achieve the above achievements, the diplomatic sector in general and economic diplomacy in particular have made very important, practical and effective contributions.

Firstly, diplomacy has contributed to maintaining a stable and favorable environment, and expanding the country's development space, deepening economic cooperation, increasing benefits for partners, especially neighboring countries, major countries, and traditional friends.

Second, attracting external resources to serve national development, expanding and diversifying markets, attracting investment, transferring knowledge and technology, promoting the strength of the overseas Vietnamese community.

In particular, the drastic and rapid implementation of "vaccine delivery abroad" has directly and significantly contributed to the prevention, control and control of the COVID-19 pandemic, creating favorable conditions for socio-economic recovery and development.

Third, promote the pioneering role in promoting international economic integration and linkages, especially promoting and enhancing Vietnam's participation and contribution to multilateral economic cooperation mechanisms, proactively participating in the development of new international laws and regulations; at the same time, effectively taking advantage of the free trade agreement network, making Vietnam a connecting center of the region.

At the same time, economic diplomacy has accompanied and supported localities and businesses in implementing foreign affairs and integrating the international economy; bringing important and practical benefits and results.

Entering a new stage of development, in the context of the world situation forecast to continue to develop in a complex and unpredictable manner, generally facing difficulties and challenges more than opportunities and advantages; economic diplomacy is facing the need to strongly transform to work together to successfully implement the country's two 100-year strategic goals.

The draft document of the 14th Congress emphasized "promoting comprehensive diplomacy to serve development, focusing on economic diplomacy and technology diplomacy". In particular, innovation in economic diplomacy is no longer an option, but has become an objective requirement of practice, an urgent requirement, a strategic choice and one of the top priorities to contribute to realizing the aspiration for strong and prosperous development of the nation.

Accordingly, economic diplomacy in the coming time will face 3 major responsibilities:

First, it contributes to creating a strategic space for the country to enter an era of strong, civilized and prosperous development.

Second, promoting an important driving force role in contributing to attracting resources, removing bottlenecks and solving major problems to create breakthroughs in the country's growth and development, especially promoting science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transformation.

Third, building an independent and self-reliant economy, while proactively actively integrating internationally.

With the motto "Sources originate from thinking and vision; motivation originates from innovation and creativity; strength originates from people and businesses", economic diplomacy and technology diplomacy in the coming period need to thoroughly grasp "three important lessons", while strongly innovating thinking; updating goals, contents, subjects and implementation methods, closely following the "five- more important lessons" [6].

In which, "3 important lessons" are:

First, we must persevere in the path of national independence and socialism; firmly adhere to the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification, proactiveness and active international integration, being a friend, a trusted partner and a responsible member of the international community.

Second, resolutely but flexibly, protecting the interests of the nation - people but also very flexibly in implementation to achieve the goal.

Third, grasp the situation; advise on timely, flexible, appropriate and effective policy responses.

The 5-more motto is:

First, be strategic, be more sensitive in thinking to promptly identify new trends, proactively seize opportunities, and contribute to improving the economy's adaptability.

Second, focus more on building goals and solutions, on the basis of closely following the country's development goals in each stage.

Third, expand and deepen the overall relationship with partners as well as in each field of cooperation, especially science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

Fourth, be more determined and creative in implementing, ensuring clear assignment of tasks and achieving practical results in the spirit of "6 things: clear people, clear work, clear responsibilities, clear authority, clear time, clear results".

Fifth, be more active and responsible in participating and contributing to cooperation mechanisms, international economic forums and international and regional issues of strategic importance, in accordance with our requirements, capabilities and conditions, especially in global economic governance.

And above all, foreign affairs work, especially in the field of economic diplomacy, must promote the spirit of "Loyalty, Dedication", "Confidence, Creativity", "Courage, flexibility", " alone, persuasion", " top efficiency" and "Fatherland above all"; with the motto of looking far, looking wide, thinking deeply, doing great, valuing time, intelligence and decisiveness at the right time, continuing to be the pioneer, core force bringing new opportunities, new motivation, new resources from outside to serve the country's rapid and sustainable development, enhancing Vietnam's prestige and position in the international arena.

Entering a new stage of development, foreign affairs work in general and economic diplomacy in particular need to focus on thoroughly grasping and implementing the Resolution of the 14th Party Congress, Resolutions of the Party, National Assembly, Government, especially Resolution 59 of the Politburo on international integration in the new situation.

In particular, focusing on promoting economic, trade, investment, science and technology cooperation, digital transformation, green transformation, energy transformation, education and training, health, culture, labor, tourism, environmental protection, climate change response, etc.

Promote technology transfer in key sectors of the economy such as nuclear energy, high-speed railways, and semiconductors (by the end of 2027, the construction of a semiconductor chip factory will be completed).

Synchronously deploy solutions to diversify markets, diversify products, diversify supply chains; focus on exploiting and taking advantage of potential markets; promote and advertise Vietnamese branded products abroad; urgently negotiate and sign Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with countries, the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, Latin America...

Prioritize supporting localities and the business community, especially small and medium-sized enterprises in economic integration, cooperation, and international linkages; actively supporting enterprises to expand investment and business to reach international markets, participate more deeply in the global value chain; strongly attract investment from large technology corporations and a team of Vietnamese experts abroad.

At the same time, the Foreign Affairs sector and all levels, sectors and localities need to continue to closely coordinate, advise and propose to competent authorities mechanisms, policies and solutions to create breakthroughs in development in foreign relations, especially strongly promoting economic diplomacy and technology diplomacy activities to contribute to the successful implementation of the double-digit growth target in 2026 and the coming time.

In that general picture, we need to have the right awareness, act resolutely, and make continuous efforts to create breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and strongly promote green transformation in the digital age.

This is the key driving force and the "golden key" for Vietnam to catch up, progress together and surpass, develop quickly and sustainably, successfully implement the two 100-year strategic goals, strive to become a developed country with high income by 2045.

In that process, we continue to strive to comprehensively promote the cause of innovation, always create and accompany, focus on removing difficulties and obstacles in various fields, promote administrative reform, remove all bottlenecks in institutions, infrastructure, and human resources, so that science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, and green transformation truly become new driving forces and resources, encouraging the whole nation to steadily move forward in the new era.

The country's achievements after 80 years of construction and development laid an important foundation and were a good starting point for the new journey of the nation.

Under the leadership of the Party, with the spirit of solidarity, joint efforts and consensus of the entire nation, on the basis of disseminating and closely following the motto of "creating and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, pioneering in connecting and cooperating, opening up and attracting development resources, constantly enhancing the country's position" as General Secretary To Lam has directed [7], we have a firm belief that foreign affairs work in general and the field of economic diplomacy in particular in the coming period will further promote good traditions and important achievements; with the spirit of "taking localities, businesses and people as the center of service; taking national and ethnic interests as the guiding principle"; continuing to strive to overcome difficulties and challenges; excellently completing the mission of the Party in general and the field of economic diplomacy in particular, contributing to the rapid development of the country, creating a solid foundation for the people to develop and the people to be a solid and prosperous.

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[1] Vietnam officially became a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (1995), co-founder of the Asia- Europe Cooperation Forum (ASEM, 1996), participated in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC, 1998), signed the Vietnam - US Bilateral Trade Agreement), became the 150th member of the World Trade Organization (WTO, 2007); built a network of free trade agreements with most of the world's major economies.

[2] GDP in 2025 will grow by 8.02%; the average growth rate for the period 2021 - 2025 will increase by 6.3%, higher than the previous period (6.2%) (in 2021, growth reached 2.55%; in the fourth period of 2022 - 2025, growth will be 7.2%/year, exceeding the target of 6.5 - 7%). The IMF assessed Vietnam as being in the top 10 countries with the highest growth in the world. Standard Chartered forecasts Vietnam to be in the group of 5 fastest growing countries in Asia.

[3] Total FDI capital reached 185 billion USD, in the group of 15 developing countries attracting the largest FDI in the world. The scale of trade increased sharply, from 545.4 billion USD in 2020 to a record of about 930 billion USD in 2025, in the group of 20 leading countries in the world; in 2025, the trade balance had a surplus of over 20 billion USD, continuously having a trade surplus for 10 years.

[4] Vietnam ranked 44/139 countries and territories, leading the low-middle-income group in the Global Innovation Index. The digital economy grew by 8.6%, ICT industry revenue increased by 26%.

[5] The poverty rate decreased to about 1.3%; Average income of workers increased from 5.5 million VND/month in 2020 to 8.3 million VND/month in 2025. Vietnam has an 18-point increase in the Human Development Index (HDI), ranking 93/193 countries and territories; is considered a successful model in implementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), completing the goal of poverty reduction 10 years ahead of schedule.

[6] These include: (i) More strategic and sensitive; (ii) more focused and key; (iii) more extensive and in-depth; (iv) more determined and creative; (v) more proactive and responsible.

[7] General Secretary To Lam speaks at the 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the Diplomatic Corps, on August 25, 2025.

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