Vietnam reaps rewards with “Bamboo diplomacy”: Reuters
Reuters on December 28 publicised an article on Vietnam’s “Bamboo diplomacy”, highlighting the country's increasingly dynamic foreign policy approach and its most important diplomatic agreements over the last 12 months.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong holds talks with US President Joseph Biden in Hanoi on September 10. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Reuters on December 28 published anarticle on Vietnam’s “Bamboo diplomacy”, highlighting the country'sincreasingly dynamic foreign policy approach and its most important diplomaticagreements over the last 12 months.
According to the article, Vietnam and the USelevated their relati𓆏onship to a Comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development, and announced closer cooperation onsemiconductors and critical minerals during a visit to Hanoi by US PresidentJoe Biden in September.
The US, which is the top importer of Vietnam'sgoods, pushed for the upgrade as part of its strategy to secure uninterruptedaccess to global supply chains. In addition, Vietnam and Japan in Novemberupgraded their relations to to a Comprehensive strategic partnership for peaceand prosperity in Asia and the world during an official visit by Vietnamesepresident Vo Van Thuong to Japan on the occasion the 50th founding anniversary of their diplomatic relations. Within thevisit’s framework, the two countries agreed to boost security and economiccooperation. Japanese multinationals, including Canon,Honda, Panasonic, and Bridgestone are among the largest foreign investors inVietnam. Meanwhile, Vietnam and China earlier thismonth agreed to build a community with a "shared future" during astate visit to Vietnam by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China(CPC) Central Committee and President of the People's Republic of China XiJinping. During the visit, the two nations signed 36cooperation documents in areas such as transport infrastructure, trade,security and digital economy, and issued a joint declaration withwide-ranging commitments. According to Reuters, the diplomaticachievements followed the ones that Vietnam achieved in the previous years. Specifically, inDecember 2022, Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) elevated their ties to a Comprehensive strategic partnership with focuses on trade, investment, defenceand security. Vietnam’s diplomatic achievements are alsoreflected in the economic sector as Vietnam has free trade deals with the EU, theUK, Chile and the RoK. Vietnam is also a member of wider trade pacts, including theComprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP),and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which includes Chinaand Japan/.
Despite global headwinds with unprecedented and daunting challenges, Vietnam’s foreign policy, adhering to the “bamboo diplomacy” concept, has carved out various achievements, according to Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
The similarities in foreign policies is the string that binds the relations between Vietnam and Latin American countries throughout history, according to politicians and media.
Vietnam’s diplomatic sector has reaped positive results in 2023, stated Assistant Professor Beak Yong-Hun from the School of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies under the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Dankook University.
Vietnam's “bamboo diplomacy” is a strategic and valuable concept in international relations, according to former Deputy National Security Advisor of India SD Pradhan.
Vietnam has recorded many encouraging results amid complex and unexpected developments in the world situation in 2023. Many experts and international organisations perceived that the country remains a bright spot in the global panorama.
The diplomatic sector will continue to focus on strongly developing the identity of the Vietnamese bamboo diplomacy in 2024 by concentrating on a number of focal points, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son told the media on the occasion of the coming New Year.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong holds talks with US President Joseph Biden in Hanoi on September 10. (Photo: VNA) 
