"Roots and Foundations" of Vietnam's Modern Diplomacy

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Scientific conference: New trends of 'Modern Diplomacy' and issues for Vietnam. (Photo: Pham Hang)

On November 15, the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam hosted a workshop titled "New Trends in Modern Diplomacy and Issues for Vietnam." During the event, delegates discussed topics such as trends in modern diplomacy and strategies to develop Vietnam's diplomatic sector into a professional, comprehensive, and modern framework.

In his opening speech, Dr. Nguyen Hung Son highlighted the evolving trends in diplomacy and how countries implement their diplomatic efforts. He drew comparisons between traditional and modern diplomacy across various aspects.

For instance, while traditional diplomacy focuses on building relationships, maintaining peace, and negotiating treaties, modern diplomacy encompasses additional responsibilities such as building networks of partners, addressing global issues, supporting domestic development, promoting the national image, and handling crises.

Furthermore, the subjects of diplomacy have expanded beyond just the government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and international organizations. Today, diplomatic actors can also include non-state organizations, ministries, major cities, localities, multinational corporations, renowned individuals, and esteemed scholars. The forms and styles of diplomacy have also evolved to be more informal, flexible, and less bound by strict rituals and procedures.

Dr. Nguyen Hung Son noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has become a companion, and sometimes even a supporter, to assist other ministries and sectors in their international integration. This shift raises important issues related to the management of foreign affairs and diplomatic activities.

Dr. Nguyen Hung Son discussed at the workshop. (Photo: Pham Hang)

In his speech delving into the "modernity" of diplomacy, Prof. Dr. Vu Duong Huan emphasized that modern comprehensive diplomacy is the inheritance of traditional diplomacy and the application of new diplomacy. He reiterated Ho Chi Minh's Thoughts on building the Diplomatic Sector - a precious heritage of Vietnamese diplomacy. President Ho Chi Minh said, "National strength is the gong, diplomacy is the sound. The louder the gong, the louder the sound, which expresses his view on the close correlation between the effectiveness of diplomatic work and the position and strength of the country. President Ho Chi Minh's thoughts on building the sector have been creatively applied, he said.

Prof. Dr. Vu Duong Huan highlighted significant changes in the current global landscape and diplomatic activities. These include the integration of technological advancements, a streamlined yet effective apparatus, modern infrastructure with a focus on information technology, and the emergence of new power centers with numerous new rules.

Additionally, there is a heightened emphasis on economic diplomacy, and multilateral diplomacy is becoming more dynamic. Foreign policy, which was once merely an extension of domestic policy, is now closely intertwined with it. Foreign affairs are expanding to encompass environmental, cultural, and climate change diplomacy. Diplomatic practices have become less rigid and more open, influenced by advancements in science and technology. Modern diplomacy is closely linked with digital technology, aiming for streamlined, professional diplomatic agencies, simplified protocol procedures, and an increase in informal meetings.

Prof. Dr. Vu Duong Huan believes that the rapidly and unpredictably changing world situation, where countries assert their national interests, can easily lead to friction. He also notes that Vietnam's ambitious goals for 2045 will be challenging to achieve amidst global competition.

According to the scholar, financial resources should be allocated for the modernization of diplomatic sector facilities. There is a need for policies to identify and overcome difficulties in the regulations regarding the operation methods and facilities both domestically and at Vietnamese representative agencies abroad.

Prof. Dr. Vu Duong Huan presented a paper at the Conference. (Photo: Pham Hang)

Regarding the strategy to build the diplomacy sector, MA. Chu Tuan Viet, Department of Organization and Personnel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the importance of personnel work, apparatus building affairs, and the consolidation of the diplomacy sector's identity in the new context.

Chu Tuan Viet emphasizes the importance of being proactive in developing a sector strategy to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive and modern diplomatic sector. Following the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs initiated a project and strategy for sector development, emphasizing a systematic approach. This included forming an interdisciplinary drafting committee, consulting experts, and surveying various ministries and local sectors.

He mentioned the goals for 2030 and 2045 for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighting the focus on digitalization, network-based processes, the representative agency network, and human resource and expert initiatives.

Within the framework of the workshop, experienced diplomats discussed opportunities and challenges of Vietnamese diplomacy nowadays, as well as orientations for Vietnamese diplomacy to develop comprehensively and modernly.

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