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According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official portal, on the occasion of Vietnam’s re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang granted an interview to the press on October 15.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Below is the full text of the interview:

– Vietnam has just been re-elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term with the highest number of votes among Asia-Pacific countries. Could you share the significance of this event for Vietnam’s foreign relations and international standing?

This is a deeply gratifying and proud result. It represents the highest recognition from the international community for the sound and correct policies and orientations of the Party and the State, as well as for the historic achievements that our nation has attained over the past 80 years since gaining independence and 40 years of implementing the renovation process, particularly in ensuring human rights.

It is the fruit of our tireless efforts to achieve independence, freedom, and national reunification; to maintain a peaceful, stable, secure, and safe environment; and to place people at the heart of every policy and guideline, both as the driving force and as the ultimate goal of development. It also demonstrates our determination to ensure that no one is left behind and that every citizen fully benefits from the nation’s achievements in sustainable development, education, healthcare, digital transformation, and green transition.

This re-election is also a recognition and high appreciation by the international community of Vietnam’s contributions to the common work of the United Nations, including one of its most important pillars - the protection of human rights. Vietnam has actively participated in many key UN bodies relating to peace and security, economic and social development, and now, for the third time, will serve as a member of the Human Rights Council.

Throughout our participation in various UN mechanisms, Vietnam has consistently affirmed its approach that the obligation to protect human rights lies first and foremost with each sovereign nation. At the same time, it is essential to promote dialogue, mutual understanding, and the sharing of common values; to advance universal human rights values; and to ensure that every individual and every nation can enjoy the most fundamental rights - to live in a peaceful, stable, secure, safe, green, clean, civilized, prosperous, and developed world.

- Could you share the key factors and reasons behind Vietnam’s success in the recent election?

The most fundamental reason for this success lies in the remarkable achievements our country has attained over the past 80 years since gaining independence and 40 years of implementing the Doi Moi (Renewal) process. Never before has Vietnam possessed such a strong position, stature, and potential as it does today. Never before have the Vietnamese people enjoyed such comprehensive and full rights as they do now, including the right to live in a peaceful, stable, independent, and self-reliant country, where they can fully develop their intellectual potential and capacities. People are always placed at the center of development, enjoying their most fundamental rights, from civil and political rights to economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as the rights to health, education, mobility, and access to global knowledge and civilization.

The second reason is the sound foreign policy of the Party and the State, which has created a comprehensive and favorable diplomatic landscape. To date, Vietnam maintains diplomatic relations with all member states of the United Nations and has established an extensive network of strategic and comprehensive partnerships. As a result, Vietnam has gained the trust and strong support of nations in contributing to the common work of the United Nations. In addition, the close coordination among ministries, sectors, and agencies in diplomatic efforts played a crucial role. The fact that 180 countries voted in favor of Vietnam’s membership in the Human Rights Council speaks volumes about that success.

– Many predict that the coming period will see growing challenges to human rights around the world. In this context, how will Vietnam promote its role as a member of the Human Rights Council?

Ensuring human rights is the responsibility of each nation toward its own citizens. For Vietnam, this means making every effort to effectively implement the Party and the State’s guidelines and policies on human rights, and on economic, social, cultural, and educational development; healthcare; and digital transformation - to ensure that all citizens can benefit from the achievements of an era of prosperity and progress. Through these efforts, we can further share and spread Vietnam’s commitment to protecting and promoting human rights within the international community.

In the current context, when multilateralism, the role of the United Nations, and the Human Rights Council are facing many challenges due to divisions and conflicts among nations and differing values and cultures, Vietnam’s responsibilities are greater than ever. We must continue to uphold our role as an active and responsible member of the Human Rights Council, joining hands with other countries to promote mutual understanding, respect, solidarity, and shared values, while advancing universal human rights. Our goal is to ensure that all people around the world can live in peace, stability, security, and safety, and respond effectively to global challenges.

To achieve this, we hope for continued close coordination among relevant ministries and sectors, as well as the support and cooperation of the Vietnamese people, so that Vietnam can fulfill its noble, important, and meaningful international responsibilities as a member of the Human Rights Council.

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