Throughout his tenure at the helm of the Vietnamese revolution, President Ho Chi Minh not only laid the foundation for the country’s modern diplomacy but also shaped a strategic, humane, and contemporary vision of foreign policy.
Ho Chi Minh’s diplomatic thinking has become the guiding principle of Vietnam’s foreign policy, built on independence, autonomy, peace, cooperation, and development. It has helped strengthen Vietnam’s position, prestige, and role on the international stage while establishing a foundation for sustainable national development in this new era.
The development of relations in foreign affairs is based on the principles of independence, liberty, and happiness. In the current context of strategic competition, the primary requirement is an absolute commitment to sovereignty and the path of socialism. Therefore, Vietnam’s foreign policy focuses on justice, righteousness, and neutrality instead of aligning with military blocs or taking sides with one country against another.
Maintaining autonomy, confidence, self-sufficiency, strength, and pride in our nation is crucial. Independence extends beyond territorial borders to encompass leadership independence and direction to achieve political independence. Economic autonomy is essential for Vietnam, requiring progress in defense industry, key technologies, and energy security to enhance the country’s voice in international negotiations.
International cooperation should be based on mutual help, friendship, and justice principles of our times. Collaboration should not lead to isolation but should integrate global knowledge while retaining our political identity and socialist orientation. Rather than favoring singular support, Vietnam aims to establish interdependent relationships with major powers, enhancing protection of national sovereignty when aligned with partners’ interests in stability and national development.
Ho Chi Minh’s concept of “popular diplomacy” has evolved into diplomacy serving sustainable development, emphasizing nation building and people protection. In the digital age, with millions of Vietnamese living, working, and studying abroad, diplomatic efforts should uphold international law to safeguard citizens’ legitimate rights, improve administrative and judicial efficiency, and attract advanced governance models from developing countries to refine existing mechanisms, control power, and better serve the population.
Ho Chi Minh’s ideological fusion of national strength and contemporary forces is not only a strategy for gaining independence but also a guiding principle for national institution-building in the current development era. Building on this ideology, Vietnam seeks to proactively integrate international norms to protect and promote national interests.
Navigating the challenges of globalization requires balancing conformity to international regulations and socialist principles, maintaining cyber sovereignty while fostering global knowledge exchange. Collaboration is crucial, but actions should not compromise fundamental interests and national causes.
The scholar emphasizes the necessity of continual foreign relations development and international integration across all sectors while upholding sincerity, honesty, and friendship in diplomatic relations. Building enduring friendships is challenging but vital, requiring time and trust to establish. Vietnam must remain steadfast in guaranteeing national rights while respecting those of its partners, adhering to the unyielding principles of peace, independence, unity, and territorial integrity set forth by President Ho Chi Minh. These values form the bedrock of Vietnam’s diplomatic understanding, stressing adaptation to changing circumstances while preserving the immutable.
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/kim-chi-nam-cho-duong-loi-doi-ngoai-doc-lap-tu-chu-hoa-binh-hop-tac-va-phat-trien-post1111048.vnp
