VN’s diplomacy: 70 years accompanying the nation

Exactly 70 years ago, in the seething revolutionary atmosphere in August, the Decree by President Ho Chi Minh dated August 28, 1945 to establish the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam officially gave birth to the modern diplomatic sector of Viet Nam. The diplomatic sector is extremely proud to be placed under the direct leadership and guidance of President Ho Chi Minh, the first Minister of the sector. This great honor has been observed right from the early establishment of the country, the Party and Uncle Ho attached much importance to the role of foreign affairs as an important weapon to protect national interests. Uncle Ho once said: "In art of war, to fight with scheme is the best, to fight through diplomacy is second, the third is with soldiers".1

The unforgettable years

Right from the beginning, faced with many internal and external enemies, through the Viet Nam - France Preliminary Agreement dated March 06, 1946 and the Viet Nam - France Provisional Agreement dated September 14, 1946, the diplomatic sector contributed significantly to successfully defending the fledgling revolutionary government with the implementation of the strategy "temporary compromise for advancement", to split foes, take more time to consolidate forces to prepare for the protracted war. Those foreign policy decisions, which were daring yet righteous in the moment when the country's destiny was "hung by a thread", accentuated ideologies and charisma of President Ho Chi Minh on foreign affairs. All the principles of "firm in objectives, flexible in strategies and tactics", "to put national interests first" and diplomatic strategies and motto such as "more friends, fewer enemies" have become classic lessons on diplomatic art style of Ho Chi Minh that remains their value up till now.

In the war against colonialism and imperialism, the diplomatic sector became a truly important strategic front.2The close coordination among the three fronts: political, military and diplomatic created synergy, taking the nation’s protracted war to continuous victories. Not merely reflecting the outcomes on the battlefield, the diplomatic sector also actively and enthusiastically gathered forces, creating favorable conditions for the military and political fronts. Playing the role of connecting Vietnamese and the people of the world, including the people of the war declaring countries, the diplomatic sector had the fullest support and assistance of international friends on the fight for good cause of our people and the protest against the unjust invasion by the forces of colonialism and imperialism. The renowned victories on the battlefield were concretized in diplomatic negotiations through the Geneva Agreement in 1954 and the Paris Agreement in 1973, which culminated in the great victory in Spring 1975 for the unification of the homeland. In those glorious years, the diplomatic sector contributed to turning Viet Nam into a symbol of a heroic nation loving peace and always thirsting for independence and freedom in the hearts of international friends. This was also the stage for us to draw many valuable lessons about the principles of independence, self -reliance, and approaches to protect the interests of a small country in the multilateral diplomatic arena, and the strategy to combine "fight and negotiation". Especially, the ingenious approach in relations with major countries under the motto of "five things to know" 3 following oriental philosophy was upgraded by President Ho Chi Minh to a new artistic level.

During the national reconstruction and development, especially in the renewal process (Doi Moi), the diplomatic sector contributed to removing blockages and embargos, actively implementing the diplomatic policy of multilateralization and diversification, maintaining a peaceful environment, taking the fullest advantage of external resources to develop and protect the country. Strictly realizing the desire to "be ready to befriend with all democratic countries", which Uncle Ho always considered right from the early days of establishment of the country, Viet Nam today has indeed become "a friend and reliable partner of all countries, and a responsible member of the international community". From being economically besieged, politically isolated and having only relations with countries in the socialist camp, so far our country has established diplomatic relations with 185 out of 193 UN member countries, having economic, trade and investment relations with over 230 countries and territories, being an active member of more than 70 regional and international organizations, playing an important role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and many important agencies of the United Nations. We have effectively assumed the role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (2008-2009), the ASEAN Chairmanship in 1998 and 2010, successfully hosted many important international conferences such as the 7^th Summit of Francophonie in 1997, the 5^th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 5) ​​in 2005, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in 2006, the 132^ndGeneral Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132) in March 2015, and the upcoming APEC in 2017. External economic relations of the country have been increasingly expanded, effectively supporting domestic socio-economic development: up till now, Viet Nam has attracted a total of over $250 billion in foreign direct investment, and is one of the few countries to participate in all important economic links in the region, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Over the 70 years accompanying the nation, the diplomatic sector imprinted in the historic victories for the national independence and reunification in the past as well as the national construction and defense nowadays. Along with the other fronts, the diplomatic sector has contributed to taking Viet Nam from an unknown country on the world map to a decent position of a country playing an increasingly significant role in the region, receiving international respect.

Reviewing historical journey over the last 70 years, we understand more the thought and strategic vision of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President Ho Chi Minh on diplomacy. This is the guideline for awareness and actions of generations of diplomats. Following Uncle Ho, generations of diplomatic staff have been constantly striving and practicing to shape the identity of Viet Nam’s modern diplomatic sector. During the war years of hardship, many Vietnamese diplomats, though going straight from the guerilla bases to the international negotiating tables, still made friends and opponents respect their intelligence, talent and personality. From merely 20 staff in the early days of its establishment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has now become the main diplomatic force of the country with 2,400 staff deeply trained with solid political capacity, effectively serving the formulation and implementation of foreign policy of the Party and State. From a mere three diplomatic missions abroad in the early years of independence, up till now 98 missions of Viet Nam in foreign countries has been established to become the "extended arm" of the country in every continent of the world.

Viet Nam’s diplomacy in the era of comprehensive international integration

In a globalized world with increasing interdependence among nations, international integration has become an objective and necessary choice. As the "navigator" guiding the Viet Nam ship towards the vast ocean, the diplomatic sector has correctly identified and followed up with the flow of the times, striving its best to place the country in the most advantageous position within the regional and global context.

First of all, we have stepped up relations with other countries with great substance, fundamentally completed the institutionalization of the relations with the priority partners. In particular, for the first time in 70 years of history of the diplomatic sector, the framework of strategic and comprehensive partnerships with all the major countries has been developed, including five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

Second, the diplomatic sector has always taken the lead in implementing the comprehensive international integration strategy set by the 11^th National Party Congress. The diplomatic sector has actively contributed to the strengthening of external economic relations: for the first time after two decades, Viet Nam has maintained export surplus from 2012 to 2014, continues to be the bright spot in Southeast Asia in attracting foreign investment from over 100 leading multi-national corporations in the world, of which many corporations have and will put "headquarters" in Viet Nam. After the issuance of Resolution No. 22 on international integration by the Political Bureau, foreign affairs have witnessed drastic leaps forward. For the first time, Viet Nam joins UN peacekeeping operations, conducts simultaneous negotiations on a number of major free trade agreements such as the TPP and RCEP, receives high percent of the votes from international friends in the elections to the important agencies of the United Nations such as the Human Rights Council for the term 2014-2016, the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the term 2013-2017, chairs the Board of Governors for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the term 2013-2015. During this period, multilateral diplomacy has also elevated, from the motto "active participation" to "active contribution to build common rules". Viet Nam has suggested a number of cooperation initiatives and proposals, which are highly appreciated and supported by countries, partners in different forums such as the ASEAN, ASEM, APEC and the United Nations. After two years of implementation of Resolution No. 22 of the Political Bureau, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed that, "international integration has achieved many important results, contributing actively to the overall development of the country "4.

Third, the diplomatic sector has closely coordinated with the defense and security sectors to firmly protect the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. The delimitation and demarcation along the entire land border with China and Laos have been completed while the border demarcation with Cambodia is currently in progress, making the borders between Viet Nam and neighboring countries become a borderline of peace, friendship, stability and development. The diplomatic sector has also won the broad support of the international community for the righteous positions and legitimate interests of Viet Nam over the East Sea issue. State President Truong Tan Sang asserted that "the diplomatic sector has made worthy contributions to firmly safeguard the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Fatherland"5.

Fourth, the diplomacy on the fields of culture, information and propagation, protection of citizens and works on overseas Vietnamese has achieved many important results. Thanks to our efforts, UNESCO recognized the Ho Dynasty Citadel, Trang An scenic landscape complex, the Nguyen dynasty’s administrative trove, the worship rituals of Hung Kings, Phu Tho’s Xoan singing as the world's cultural heritages. On the information-propagation front, the diplomatic sector has contributed to building consensus and mobilizing strong support of the people for righteous guidelines and policies of the Party and the State, promoting and fostering the image and prestige of Viet Nam in the international arena. The diplomatic sector has also taken the lead in the cooperation and the combat to protect the legitimate rights and interests of overseas Vietnamese, mobilization of expatriates to make practical contributions to the construction and defense of the Fatherland with spiritual and material resources.

The whole diplomatic sector is always aware that the important foreign policy achievements over the past 70 years were greatly attributed to the righteous leadership of the Party and the State, the outstanding efforts of all diplomatic forces as well as the effective coordination and active support of ministries, agencies and localities nationwide. With the motto of "unity coalition, collective achievements", the diplomatic sector has closely coordinated with other diplomatic forces, forming solid tripod platform that includes external relations of the Party, the State, and the people, and striving for the common goal for the best interests of security and development of the country, to further improve the position of Viet Nam in the region and the world.

To seize opportunities, address challenges and firmly advance towards the future

Today, the regional and global context keeps on changing. We are living in a world of peace, but not peaceful. The Asia-Pacific region remains the most dynamic developing region and has potential to become the new center of world power in the 21st century. However, the region also has become a spot for strategic geographical competition among major countries. Peace and cooperation remain the mainstream, but instability factors, even the risks of local conflicts, appear more and more. In particular, the East Sea situation has changed complicatedly, risks threatening the country’s security and sovereignty over sea and islands are increasing. Challenges and opportunities intertwine, and mutually transform. How to "turn danger into safety" and to locate the country in the most advantageous position within the strategic regional and global contexts have always been concerns of those who work in the diplomatic sector. Uncle Ho once said: "Missing opportunities can lead to failure while knowing to take advantage of opportunities can still succeed with limited resources." Today’s mission of the diplomatic sector is to “find opportunities in risks” to find out chances and opportunities for the country.

In today's world, a country with limited economic capacity and population can still protect its legitimate interests and improve its position in the international arena provided that righteous foreign policy is maintained. As a country with an important strategic geographical location in the Asia - Pacific region, Viet Nam faces many opportunities to combine national strength with the power of the times. In the new situation, Viet Nam should take advantage of favorable conditions to successfully conduct the national industrialization and modernization, taking the country out of the "middle income trap". To do that, it is time for Viet Nam's diplomacy to engage more.

At the 28^th Diplomatic Conference (December 2013), Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed the three most important diplomatic tasks in the coming period, including the maintenance of an environment of peace and stability, protection of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, and protection of the Socialist regime. These are dialectical, interactive, and closely related tasks. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong emphasized that "in time of peace, diplomacy is the leading force" in peacemaking, protection of the country and attraction of resources for national development"6. To perform those major tasks, the whole diplomatic sector makes great effort to innovate thinking, explore more creative approaches, from idea to action, in order to further improve the efficiency of diplomatic activities. It is required that in the new era the diplomatic sector stick to the "immutable" interests of the country and nation to flexibly adapt to a world that is constantly changing. As an "antenna"of the country, it is necessary for the diplomatic sector to be good at researching, strategic forecast to detect new trends, placing Viet Nam in the correct flow of the times, and preventing the country from any unforeseen circumstances.

Above all, just as Uncle Ho once said: "Staff is the root of all the work". Recognizing that, the whole sector has always considered the construction of the diplomatic staff of absolute loyalty to the Party and the country, having firm political capacity, professional skills equivalent to the standards of the region and close to the international level as it is not only a prerequisite to successfully implement every diplomatic missions assigned by the State and the Party but also orders from the heart of every diplomat.

Seventy years ago, among numerous difficulties, when the country's destiny was "hung by a thread", under charismatic direction of President Ho Chi Minh, the fledgling diplomacy of Viet Nam made many magnificent successes. Following the glorious traditions of the previous generations, today’s generation of diplomats are determined to do their best to overcome all difficulties and to take every opportunity to write new chapters of heroic history of the modern Viet Nam’s diplomatic sector, contributing to taking the country to a new era - the era of independence, peace and development./.