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High-level diplomacy: Enhancing political trust and expanding cooperation space

One of the most prominent features of Vietnam’s diplomacy in 2025 was the high frequency and broad scope of high-level external activities. During the year, Vietnam’s senior leaders conducted 24 overseas visits and working trips, while Vietnam welcomed 37 high-level delegations from foreign countries and international organizations. These activities spanned all regions, from the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Americas to the Middle East and Africa.

General Secretary To Lam presided over the official welcoming ceremony for General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping on his State visit to Vietnam. (Photo: VOV).

According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Minh Quang, an international relations expert, high-level visits and exchanges have gone beyond ceremonial diplomacy to “deliver substantive outcomes, build strategic political trust, and open up long-term cooperation frameworks in areas such as economics, science and technology, digital transformation, and green transition.”

Notably, Vietnam hosted and held in-depth exchanges with leaders of major powers and key partners, thereby reaffirming its balanced and flexible foreign policy of not choosing sides, not entering military alliances, and working for peace and sustainable development.

Expanding and upgrading strategic partnerships

In 2025, Vietnam continued to make significant progress in expanding its network of partnerships, particularly by establishing and upgrading relations with many countries to the level of strategic partnership and comprehensive strategic partnership.

The completion of comprehensive strategic partnerships with all five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council is regarded as a milestone of special significance, reflecting a high level of political trust and the increasingly deep interweaving of interests between Vietnam and major global power centers.

According to Tran Hoang Long, former Director-General of the Department of Foreign Policy, this is “the result of a persistent process of building credibility and maintaining consistency in foreign policy, projecting the image of Vietnam as a trustworthy partner and a responsible member of the international community.”

At the same time, the establishment of partnerships with numerous countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa demonstrates Vietnam’s efforts to diversify markets and partners, avoiding dependence on any single region or group of countries.

An active and proactive role in multilateral mechanisms

The year 2025 continued to witness Vietnam’s strong presence at regional and global multilateral forums. Successfully hosting and organizing the ASEAN Future Forum, the 4th P4G Summit, and many other important international conferences underscored Vietnam’s capacity for coordination, leadership, and substantive contributions to shared regional and global issues.

In particular, Vietnam’s re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term with a high number of votes reflects the international community’s confidence in Vietnam, as well as its persistent efforts to protect and promote human rights and its increasingly visible role in global affairs.

Economic diplomacy remains a key pillar

Economic diplomacy continued to be vigorously implemented, closely aligned with the goals of national economic recovery and development. In 2025, Vietnam effectively promoted the utilization of new-generation free trade agreements, while negotiating and removing various trade barriers and expanding export markets.

According to experts, the harmonious integration of political diplomacy and economic diplomacy has enhanced Vietnam’s resilience to external shocks while attracting additional resources to support sustainable development.

Vietnamese people joyfully welcome foreign military contingents participating in the parade on National Day, September 2. (Photo: VOV).

Affirming position and long-term foreign policy vision

Overall, Vietnam’s external relations activities in 2025 demonstrate its continued commitment to a foreign policy of peace, cooperation, and development, while flexibly adapting to rapid changes in the global situation.

The diplomatic achievements of 2025 not only hold immediate significance but also lay an important foundation for the implementation of Vietnam’s foreign policy strategy in the coming period, contributing to the safeguarding of national interests and the enhancement of the country’s standing in an era of deep international integration.

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