Communist Review - During the 12^th Party Congress, the entire Party, people and army of Vietnam have joined hands to overcome numerous difficulties and obtained significant achievements in all aspects: The size and competitiveness of the economy are increased; political - social life is stable; national defense and security are maintained and strengthened; foreign relations and international integration have been increased in depth. These historic achievements resulted from the unremitting efforts of the diplomacy consisting of 3 pillars: party diplomacy, state diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy, and the synchronous and effective implementation of the foreign policy of the 12^th Party Congress which have created the most favorable conditions for the construction and defense of the Homeland.

Five years with outstanding achievements

The five-year term of the 12^th National Congress (2016 - 2021) is a special period when the region and the world witness unpredictable and complex changes with systemic evolutions unprecedented since the Cold War. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated pre-existing trends. Consequently, globalization and economic integration need a more sustainable adaptation, especially in the context of the rise of nationalism and populism in some countries.  Major powers competition has become a dominant aspect of international relations. Adoption of advanced technologies from the Fourth Industrial Revolution and digital transformation have been accelerated, creating opportunities for technological leapfrog and posing at the same time the risk of technological backwardness, non-traditional security challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, water security, cyber security, epidemics... Peace, cooperation and development are still major trends, but they are facing countless challenges.

However, Vietnam still achieved remarkable results that makes it proud: The average GDP growth rate from 2016 to 2020 reached about 5.9%/year. Especially in 2020, despite the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Vietnam's economy maintained a positive growth rate of 2.91%, making it one of the countries with the highest growth rate in the world. Total export and import turnover increased 1.7 times, from 327.8 billion USD in 2015 to about 543.9 billion USD in 2020. The number of international tourists in the period 2015 - 2019 increased 2.3 times, from 7.9 million arrivals to 18 million arrivals with an increase of 22.7%/year. People’s material and spiritual life has improved markedly. Vietnam's global prestige and status is enhancing day by day.

By recognizing and seizing opportunities with every chance, being persistent and flexible to overcome internal and external challenges, Vietnam has achieved outstanding results in its foreign affairs during the past term of the 12^th Party Congress, contributing to preserving a peaceful and stable environment, maintaining the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, attracting development resources, and enhancing Vietnam's position and prestige. Specifically, Vietnamese diplomacy get the following achievements:

Relations with other countries, especially bordering countries, countries in the region, major countries, key partners continue to be consolidated and deepened. Relationships are established in a stable, sustainable way. The network of strategic and comprehensive partnership is enlarged; partners are selected according to specific goals. During this period, Vietnam has established a comprehensive partnership with 5 countries, upgraded to a strategic partnership with 2 countries (Australia in 2018 and New Zealand in 2020), upgraded from a strategic partner to a comprehensive strategic partnership with India in 2016, bringing the total number of strategic partnerships/comprehensive partnerships to 30 countries.

Vietnam is becoming an important factor in the regional and global strategies of major countries. The exchange of delegations at all levels with partners is maintained regularly, even during conflict periods, expressing the goodwill of Vietnam toward its partners. Bilateral diplomacy has made meaningful contributions to the accomplishment of Vietnam's socio-economic development goals. Vietnam has well handled issues arising in relations with key partners so as not to affect national interests in term of security, development as well as its foreign relationship. In the face of challenges from COVID-19, Vietnam has creatively and flexibly adjusted its foreign policy through online diplomacy. Besides, Vietnam has stepped up health diplomacy on disease prevention and control, thereby enhancing the image of a Vietnam that is highly adaptable and resilient to external challenges, and a proactive, responsible member to the international community.

International integration, with a focus on economic integration, is promoted to mobilize more resources for national development. Over the past five years, Vietnam's foreign policy has established enormous favorable frameworks for international cooperation, especially with the signing of two new generation free trade agreements (FTAs), namely the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (CPTPP) and the European Union - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). This has brought about tremendous opportunities for market expansion and diversification and deeper participation in regional and global supply chains. Integration in the area of politics, defense and security is going deeper. An important milestone was the first time Vietnam has joint a peacekeeping mission of UN. The integration in the fields of culture, society, science, technology and education has also achieved considerable progress.

Economic diplomacy is enhanced, creating a favorable environment and directly supporting the socio-economic development of different sectors, localities and businesses. Consultancy and research work on economic issues and development strategies were intensified with many quality advisory reports; many feasible policy recommendations were made in a timely manner. Economic diplomacy activities are effectively integrated in high-level international meetings and visits, contributing to strengthening the cooperation in economy, trade, investment, job creation, tourism, science - technology, thus actively supporting businesses and localities. Vietnam has satisfactorily handled a number of economic - trade issues arising in Vietnam's relations with other countries.

The effectiveness and role of multilateral diplomacy has been increasingly enhanced, actively contributing to shaping multilateral institutions. Vietnam has gradually promoted its role of mediator to maintain peace and stability in the regional and international arena. It has affirmed its pivotal role at international and regional forums, such as Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asia - Europe Meeting (ASEM), Asia - Pacific Economic Forum Cooperation (APEC), the United Nations, Group of the world’s major economies (G-20), World Economic Forum (WEF) and Greater Mekong Subregion Cooperation. It has made important highlights by successfully organizing APEC Vietnam 2017, the World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2018 (WEF ASEAN). Even in pandemic times, Vietnam has flexibly promoted the role of ASEAN 2020 chairmanship, AIPA 2020 chairmanship and non-permanent member of UN Security Council for the term from 2020 to 2021 through organizing successfully many activities and taking several meaningful initiatives, which were highly appreciated by international community. Being the host country of the second US - North Korea summit (held on February 2019 in Hanoi) has strongly promoted the image of a Vietnam that aspires to peace, renovation and development and has proven its capacity to address global peace and security issues. Multilateral external activities have also contributed to tightening Vietnam's relations with partners, exploiting external resources, bringing further opportunities for development and enhancing Vietnam's position.

Foreign affairs has played a central and proactive role in preserving Vietnam’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, maintaning a peaceful and stable environment.

Regarding land borders, Vietnam coordinated to effectively manage land borders and international border gates crossing in accordance with legal documents and agreements signed with China, Laos and Cambodia. Particularly, Vietnam has signed and ratified two legal documents to complete 84% of land border demarcation with Cambodia. Thus, for the first time in the history of the modern State of Vietnam, the country has built a border of peace, friendship, cooperation and development with all neighboring countries.

Regarding maritime boundary, despite complicated territorial disputes and conflicts in the East Sea over the past time, Vietnam has resolutely and persistently fought against the infringement upon sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of Vietnam the East Sea within the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS). Vietnam maintains simultaneously bilateral relations with partners. It has actively negotiated to settle disputes related to the exclusive economic zone (with Indonesia) and Malaysia- Vietnam Joint Submission related to the  continental shelf boundary. In addition, Vietnam and ASEAN countries have promoted negotiations on a Code of Conduct for the East Sea (COC) with China. Furthermore, it has effectively handled the complex issues arising, strongly fought in the political, legal, diplomatic fronts and even in the East Sea.

The work of protecting citizens abroad and mobilizing the community of overseas Vietnamese has been implemented in a timely and effective manner, proving the consideration of the Communist Party and the State of Vietnam. Vietnamese diplomacy has promoted the proactive spirit, professionalism and efficiency in protecting over 50,000 citizens, more than 600 cases/1,000 ships/nearly 10,000 fishermen; Issues related to Vietnamese citizens abroad during the COVID-19 have been promptly resolved.

Measures have been taken to create conditions for overseas Vietnamese to soon legalize their status, integrate and do business in many countries, and support Vietnamese citizens in difficulty. The mobilization of overseas resources has been implemented more rationally and creatively, thereby encouraging overseas Vietnamese to contribute economically and intellectually to the national development. Diverse meaningful activities for overseas Vietnamese have been organized, thereby promoting patriotism and upholding the strength of the great national unity.

Vietnam has actively and resolutely fought in the fields of democracy, human rights, and religion, regularly provided transparent information and held dialogues to enhance mutual understanding and narrow down differences. Vietnam has resolutely countered acts of distortion and abuse of issues of democracy, human rights, and religion to interfere in our internal affairs and encroach upon Vietnam’s independence. Vietnam human rights dialogues with Western countries in the spirit of equality have been organized. At the same time, it has participated in many fields of international cooperation on human rights within the framework of bilateral, multilateral and international human rights organizations. As a result, Vietnam has both maintained national socio-political stability and successfully relieved the pressure of Western countries on a number of issues, without affecting its relationship with major partners.

Vietnam has pushed forward foreign-bound cultural and information work, marketed the country of Vietnam, its culture, people and traditions. Cultural diplomacy has thus enabled Vietnam to enhance cooperation and friendship between ours and other peoples, promote the country image and Vietnamese culture to the world through the effective organization of different programs such as Cultural Diplomacy Strategy, the Project on Honoring the late President Ho Chi Minh abroad, Week/Day Vietnam Abroad, etc. In the period 2016 - 2020, Vietnam has been conferred many titles and awards of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with a total of 39 recognized heritage sites, thereby protecting the human values ​​ and creating new resources for the economic - cultural - social development in many localities.

Regarding external information work, Vietnam has proactively informed the orientations, guidelines and policies of the Communist Party and State of Vietnam to the international community and overseas Vietnamese, has created favorable conditions for thousands of reporters and international press agencies to publish, broadcasts official information, thus promoting international understanding and refuting and preventing distortions about the Party and State of Vietnam. It has effectively applied new forms of interaction such as social networks and video conferencing, especially during COVID-19 pandemic. Buoyed by its successful handling of COVID-19 as well as its economic performances and its role in international foreign affairs, Vietnam is well known as a peaceful, stable, safe, potential country and also a country capable to adapt and effectively handle challenges.

Under the unified direction of the Politburo, the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee and the coordination between three pillars consisting of party diplomacy, state diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy and the cooperation between defense - security - foreign affairs have become closer, creating synergy on the diplomatic front. The close connection between relevant agencies, ministries and branches has improved the effectiveness of foreign affairs and international integration, especially in information sharing, research, joint consultation, internal consensus, handling arising issues. Party diplomacy continued to be renewed in accordance with the Directive No. 32-CT/TW dated February 18, 2019 of the Politburo on “Improving the effectiveness of the party diplomacy in the new situation”. Vietnam's relationship with political parties of other countries are becoming more and more substantial and adaptable to the new circumstance.

The external relations of Vietnam National Assembly with other nation' parliament and inter-parliament organisation of the world have become more and more substantial, effective, making valuable contribution to deepening Vietnam’s relationship with other countries and enhancing Vietnam's international standing. Defense diplomacy and security diplomacy have been promoted, improving trust and strengthening relationship, and also creating a positive atmosphere for handling disputes with partners. People-to-people diplomacy is actively implemented at multilateral people’s forums and in relationship with other countries, contributing to mobilizing resources, taking advantage of international support to strengthen relations with Vietnam.

Over the past five years, these achievements are more meaningful than ever as the world undergoes unprecedented complex changes. Vietnam's diplomacy has made notable contribution, becoming a bright spot in the common achievements of the whole nation. Not only maintaining a peaceful and stable environment amid complex world, Vietnam has demonstrated a proactive spirit of adaptation, the creativity and has made the most of opportunities to constantly improve the country’s position and international reputation. According to the Asia Power Index published by the Lowy Institute (Australia) on October 19, 2020, Vietnam's power ranking has increased by one place from 13 to 12. Vietnam performs well in the diplomatic influence measure, where it places 2^nd in Southeast Asia - up by three places. In terms of economy, Vietnam has become the fourth largest economy in ASEAN with GDP of more than 340 billion USD. According to Brand Finance - a British independent brand valuation consultancy, Vietnam’s national brand value has increased by 29% in 2020, currently ranked 33rd in the Top 100 most valuable national brands in the world.

New challenges and opportunities in the new context

Vietnam is entering a new strategic phase with important development goals and tasks. There exist several challenges and opportunities. The documents of the 13th Party Congress have comprehensively assessed the current situation and major trends. The dialectical assessment of both challenges and opportunities from the international situation is reflected in a number of following major features:

The trend towards a multipolar world is accelerated; cooperation and struggle are still intertwined in which countries tend to fight and contain each other. Globalization and integration continue to progress, but are facing many obstacles, including the rise of extreme nationalism. International law and global multilateral institutions face great challenges, but they are still mainstream trends that are protected and promoted by most countries. The world economy is in serious crisis and the recession will be deeper due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Countries, especially major countries, have adjusted their development strategies, reduced their dependence on other countries. Economic conflicts, trade wars, competition for technology and high - quality human resources are increasingly fierce among countries.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the risk of instability and fierce competition among major powers is higher. Disputes in sovereignty over land territory and maritime zones have become fiercer and more drastic. Global issues, human security, social security and non-traditional security challenges get negative effects on countries.

Meanwhile, Vietnam is also facing enormous internal challenges: The economy which is not sustainable is affected by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the global economic recession. What is more, population aging will continue, even accelerate. Added to this are the drawbacks of industrialization, urbanization, the low competitiveness of economy and businesses and the risk of falling into the middle-income trap. Thus, it is needful to quickly implement three strategic breakthroughs in infrastructure, human resources and institutions. Strategic forecasting is sometimes not proactive and sensitive.

However, with every challenge Vietnam faces, there is an opportunity hidden. This requires the dialectical assessment, vigilance and innovative thinking. Peace, cooperation and development are still the mainstream; globalization and international integration continue to accelerate. In particular, the Fourth Industrial Revolution’s opportunities, especially digital technology advances have fostered development in many fields, bringing unprecedented strategic opportunities for small and medium-sized countries like Vietnam to overcome the middle-income trap and achieve development goals in the new strategic period to 2030, with a vision to 2045.

For Vietnam, the future, position and prestige built up from the renovation process constitute a favorable foundation for realizing the national aspirations for a rapid growth and stable development. Experiences and internal forces accumulated from the process of international integration over the past time will continue to promote their values ​​and create motivation for Vietnam on the path to development. In addition, Vietnam has an important geo - strategic position in the dynamic Asia-Pacific region, which plays a central role in countries' policies towards this region. The comprehensive and direct leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam has shown its efficiency along with the role and participation of Vietnamese people and the entire political system.

In this context, the key task of foreign affairs in the coming time is to implement the foreign policy of the 13th National Congress, promote its pioneering role in creating and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment and maximizing external resources to further enhance the country’s international standing. Therefore, in the coming time, Vietnam's foreign policy needs to effectively perform the following key tasks:

Firstly, a consideration should be given to strengthening political trust, Vietnam's relationship with partners, especially with neighboring countries, regional countries, big countries and traditional friends in the spirit of equality, win-win cooperation, mutual respect and compliance with international law. It is necessary to put development at the center of relationships, thereby actively promoting opportunities in economy - trade, investment, science - technology, especially digital technology, green growth and sustainable development... Besides, it is required to strengthen the interweaving interests with a network of 30 strategic partners and comprehensive partners to further enhance the “strategic value” of Vietnam; Gradually handle existing and arising problems in key partners management.

Secondly, promote comprehensive and extensive integration, give priority to economic integration, increase integration efficiency in the fields of society, environment, science and technology, education, culture, tourism..., thereby attracting more resources, making the country develop faster and more sustainably. The new context sets higher requirements for international integration. Therefore, it is imperative to better promote the country's position and potential, its geo-strategic role in order to develop and play a worthy role in areas of its interests and strengths; focus on supporting industries, localities and businesses to expand partnership with foreign countries, take advantage of their capital, technology and management skills in favor of economic restructuring and growth models renewal.

Thirdly, step up and elevate multilateral diplomacy to a new high according to Directive No. 25-CT/TW dated August 8, 2018 of the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee on “promoting and elevating multilateral diplomacy to 2030”. Vietnam’s international cooperation should be rolled out on a larger scale, from an active and proactive participation to shaping of multilateral institutions and building a transparent, fair, democratic and sustainable political and economic order. Actively promote the country’s role in multilateral institutions, especially within ASEAN, UN, APEC, and Mekong sub-regional cooperation; step by step play its role as an active nuclear in leading and conciliating in areas and forums in which Vietnam has competencies and interests; actively participate in multilateral mechanisms in defense and security sphere according with a new way of thinking on national defense. In particular, it is compulsory to harmonize Vietnam's national interests with the interests of the region and the world in order to galvanize international support for issues of Vietnam's interests, and at the same time enhance its roles and responsibilities in handling global challenges and realizing United Nations development goals such as climate change, water security, cyber security, environmental protection, and sustainable development,...

Fourthly, closely combine foreign policy with national defense and security to establish a strong foothold, preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Homeland. This is an important and regular task that diplomacy needs to accomplish to maintaining a peaceful environment for the national development. To get this goal, diplomacy must promote its strengths to promptly handle national security threats through promoting dialogue, building trust, implementing preventive diplomacy, employing to the fullest extent peaceful measures on the basis of international law.

Fifthly, improve efficiency, renew cultural diplomacy, protect citizens, and more comprehensively implement overseas Vietnamese work to create closer cohesion, maximize synergy for national development. In the era of digital technology, it is necessary to renew cultural diplomacy and communication to promote the image of a dynamic, open, friendly nation with the determination and aspiration to rise up. At the same time, diplomacy will play a more active and creative role in mobilizing economic and intellectual resources from overseas Vietnamese to meet Vietnam's development and intergration demands during in the new strategic period.

Sixthly, build a comprehensive and modern diplomacy. Vietnam comprehensive diplomacy is based on all three pillars: party diplomacy, state diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy. In terms of fields, it is political diplomacy, economic diplomacy and cultural diplomacy, work related to overseas Vietnamese and protecting citizens. Diplomacy is no longer just between states, but also between localities, businesses and people. Therefore, localities, businesses and people are both the subjects and objects of foreign policy and international integration.

Modern diplomacy inherits the diplomatic tradition of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh's thought and gives the highest priority to national interests and conforms to the rules and principles of international law, ensures principles of equality and mutual benefit. The modernity of diplomacy is reflected in method of deployment, human resources, organizational apparatus, and infrastructure reaching regional and international levels, helping to effectively promote national interests and adapt to changes and new factors such as information technology, digital diplomacy, online diplomacy, summit diplomacy...

Seventhly, strengthen research, forecasting and strategic advisory on foreign affairs, security and development in order to take the initiative and solutions and pursue a more proactive foreign policy. In particular, the network of 94 Vietnamese representative agencies abroad needs to promote their ability to access information sources on politics, world economy, science - technology and market, thereby effectively supporting for domestic economic management and provide advice on development models.

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Vietnam enters an important strategic period with development goals and aspirations. Inheriting and promoting the nation's diplomatic tradition, sticking to Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh's thought, especially his ideology, style, and mettle in diplomacy, Vietnam's foreign policy has constantly renewed mind and methods, firmly protected national interests, preserved a peaceful and stable environment, putting Vietnam in the most favorable position before all changes, thus effectively contributing to the construction and defense of the socialist Vietnam.

This article was published in the Communist Review No. 959 (February 2021)