The ministry (MoFA) last week reported that the diplomatic sector plans to place a major priority on beefing up the country’s key growth impetuses, which includes exports, investment, tourism, and also agriculture, as well as new growth driving forces such as digital transformation, green development, circular economy, sharing economy, and innovation.

Modern goals crafted for diplomatic sector, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com

“We will continue working with Vietnam’s partner nations to elevate relations, and also with big investors to attract them into the country to implement projects, which will help benefit enterprises and individuals,” said MoFA Minister Bui Thanh Son at last week’s 32nd Diplomatic Conference organised in Hanoi.

In an example, the MoFA is now working with relevant ministries and agencies in Vietnam and Singapore to make preparations for both nations to lift their existing strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

At last week’s meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong, both leaders agreed to promote the implementation of high-level agreements, including facilitating trade and investment, and cooperation in clean energy, education and training, and people-to-people exchanges.

They said authorised agencies of the two nations “will soon discuss the implications towards upgrading the relationship between Vietnam and Singapore to a comprehensive strategic partnership at the appropriate time.”

The two prime ministers also agreed to concretise the established Digital-Green Economic Partnership, expand the network of Vietnam-Singapore industrial parks to remote localities up and down Vietnam, and also encourage the further conversion of their traditional parks into smart, green, and low-carbon integrated complexes.

Diplomatic activities have taken place vibrantly and have become a big highlight in 2023, including welcoming leaders of China, the US, Laos, Cambodia, and more, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong noted at the conference.

“From a country formerly under siege and embargo, we have expanded and deepened relations with 193 countries and territories, including three with special relations, six with comprehensive strategic partners, 12 strategic partners, and 12 comprehensive partners,” he added.

According to Minister Son, foreign affairs and diplomacy have been promoting their pioneering role in mobilising external resources, making important contributions to the country’s socioeconomic recovery and development.

“Economic diplomacy has expanded and deepened economic cooperation with many partners, contributing to ensuring macroeconomy, major balances, economic growth promotion, and expansion of exports and imports, while helping to attract many new resources, including foreign direct investment (FDI), official development assistance, and science and technology,” Son said.

“This has helped bring Vietnam into the group of 40 largest economies in the world and top 20 economies in terms of trade and FDI.”

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), further international integration has enabled Vietnam’s export turnover to rise from $243.7 billion in 2018 to $371.7 billion last year.

The MoFA is now combining with the MoIT to work with many nations importing Vietnamese goods about removing trade barriers and increasing purchasing the goods.

In an example, China will soon further open its market for Vietnamese goods, especially high-quality agricultural and aquatic products and fruits. It will also coordinate in creating better conditions for quarantine and customs clearance, and stand ready to work together with Vietnam to address obstacles related to institutions and policies.

Vietnam and China two weeks ago agreed to boost cross-border standard railway connectivity, and study the possible construction of the standard Lao Cai, Hanoi, and Haiphong railway system, and the Dong Dang-Hanoi, and Mong Cai, Halong, and Haiphong railway lines.

When it comes to FDI, as of November 20, Vietnam wooed nearly 38,850 valid projects registered at $462.4 billion, of which over $294 billion or more than 63 per cent has been disbursed. In the January-November 20 period, the registered FDI in Vietnam experienced significant growth, reaching almost $29 billion, up nearly 15 per cent on-year.

“The diplomatic sector is actively contributing to promoting Vietnam’s international economic integration and connectivity, and actively mobilising and attracting resources for new growth drivers, green financial sources, and investment for energy conversion and developing high technology,” said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu.

“Moreover, the MoFA has also actively promoted the implementation and supported the establishment of international economic cooperation and linkage frameworks, including 15 signed free trade agreements, signing deals ​​with Israel and continue to promote negotiations with the European Free Trade Association, the UAE, and the Mercosur bloc of nations.”

Nguyen Phu Trong, Party General Secretary Foreign affairs and diplomacy in Vietnam have taken the lead in mobilising external resources, making an important contribution to the implementation of socioeconomic development tasks, especially expanding and improving effectiveness for foreign economic affairs. For the past few years, our country’s economy has still been a bright spot in the generally not-so-bright picture of the global economy. The macroeconomy remains stable, while inflation, public debt, government debt, foreign debt, and also state budget overspending have been controlled, and major balances of the economy are guaranteed. Economic growth in 2022 reached 8.02 per cent and is forecast to hit over 5 per cent for 2023, which is a high level compared to other countries from around the world. For the first time, our country’s GDP exceeded $400 billion, ranking third in ASEAN and among the 40 largest economies in the world. Vietnam is also in the top 20 economies worldwide in terms of trade and foreign investment attraction. In times of difficulty, the cultural and social fields continue to be cared for, with development investment achieving many important and clear results, demonstrating the superiority of the socialist regime. We have fundamentally accomplished our goals of focusing on preventing, controlling, and overcoming the consequences of the pandemic, while promoting socioeconomic recovery and development. Additionally, we have boosted international integration, contributing to constantly enhancing the country’s position and international reputation in the international arena. Vietnam has been trustfully nominated by international friends to shoulder important international responsibilities in multilateral forums, especially in ASEAN and the United Nations. The country has continued to responsibly contribute to solving international problems such as cutting emissions and combating climate change; sending hundreds of officers and soldiers to participate in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Africa. Vietnam also sent forces to help overcome the consequences of the earthquake in Turkey, and promoted cooperation in disease prevention and control, natural disasters, food security, and water security. In participating in solving international issues, we have proposed many reasonable initiatives and solutions on the consistent basis of independence, self-reliance, upholding justice, international solidarity, humanity, and respect for international law, thus receiving sympathy and support from international friends. It can be said that never have before the position, prestige, and image of Vietnam as an independent, self-reliant, dynamically developing country, a faithful and sincere friend, a reliable partner, and an active and responsible member stood out in the international arena as they are today. Excerpt from speech at the 32nd Diplomatic Conference, December 19, 2023 in Hanoi