General Secretary To Lam: Vietnamese diplomacy takes the lead in connecting cooperation

On the morning of August 25, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs solemnly held a ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Diplomatic Sector (August 28, 1945 - August 28, 2025) and receive the First Class Labor Medal.

Tổng Bí thư Tô Lâm: Ngoại giao Việt Nam tiên phong kết nối hợp tác

General Secretary To Lam speaks. (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)

Attending the ceremony were General Secretary To Lam; former Politburo member, former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh; former Politburo member, former President Truong Tan Sang; Politburo members: Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Propaganda and Education Commission Nguyen Trong Nghia; Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council Nguyen Xuan Thang; Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh ; Minister of National Defense, General Phan Van Giang; Minister of Public Security, General Luong Tam Quang; comrades: Pham Gia Khiem, former Politburo member, former Deputy Prime Minister, former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Nguyen Thi Binh, former member of the Party Central Committee, former Vice President, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam; Le Hoai Trung, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Chief of the Party Central Committee Office; Tran Quang Phuong, member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly; Comrades: Party Central Committee members, former Party Central Committee members, alternate Party Central Committee members, leaders, former leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Central External Relations Commission, leaders of ministries, branches, central agencies, leaders of some provinces and cities; comrades Ambassadors, Chargé d'Affaires, Heads of international organizations in Vietnam.

On this occasion, Politburo members: President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man sent congratulatory flower baskets.

Enhancing the country's position goes hand in hand with honoring the value of peace

Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Party Central Committee member, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son emphasized that exactly 80 years ago, at a crucial moment for the nation when the country regained independence, President Ho Chi Minh established the Provisional Revolutionary Government and directly assumed the position of the first Minister of Foreign Affairs. From that moment on, the Vietnamese diplomatic sector has carried out a noble mission - to be the "combined arm of the Vietnamese revolution" on the silent front, protecting independence, sovereignty, and connecting our nation with friends from all over the world for the ideals of peace, justice and humanity.

Diplomacy over the past 80 years has been a journey of courage, intelligence and steadfast loyalty to the Party, the Fatherland and the people; of tense negotiations amid the flames of war; of courageous steps to break the siege and isolation, opening the door to integration; of the utmost effort to protect the legitimate interests of the nation; of being present at the right time and place at each important historical moment.

Tested and tempered in practice at times when the country faced thousands of difficulties, the past 80 years have witnessed the maturity and outstanding efforts of Vietnam's revolutionary diplomacy.

The Diplomatic Service has made many achievements of historical significance, contributing to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. Thanks to that, the Diplomatic Service has been honored by the State with the Gold Star Order twice, the Ho Chi Minh Order once, and many other noble medals and titles.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son affirmed that, continuing the glorious tradition of previous generations, today's generation of diplomatic officials promises the Party, State, Government, National Assembly, people and the General Secretary that they will be determined to do their best, overcome all difficulties to continue promoting the glorious history of modern Vietnamese diplomacy, contributing to the realization of the country's two 100-year goals in the new era, the era of strong, prosperous, civilized and happy development of the nation.

At the ceremony, former leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives of the young generation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed their belief that with 80 years of tradition and valuable historical experiences and lessons, the Diplomatic sector will continue to develop strongly, meeting the country's requirements; at the same time, they hope to continue promoting the tradition worthy of the trust of the Party, State and people.

General Secretary To Lam speaks. (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)

Speaking at the Commemoration Ceremony, the General Secretary stated that, looking back over the past 80 years, we will forever remember the Party's ingenious, wise and correct leadership, the immense contributions of President Ho Chi Minh, and pay tribute to previous generations who shed sweat, blood and intelligence on this silent but glorious front; thank international friends for their companionship; and appreciate our compatriots, soldiers nationwide and overseas Vietnamese who have always been a solid rear for foreign affairs and diplomacy.

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, the General Secretary warmly commended and congratulated the diplomatic sector for its outstanding achievements and contributions; at the same time, he expected the entire diplomatic sector to continue to unite, innovate, and be creative, to establish many new achievements and accomplishments, worthy of the trust and love of the Party, State and people.

The General Secretary pointed out that the glorious tradition, achievements and history of 80 years have left Vietnamese diplomacy with great lessons that remain valuable today and in the future.

It is the crystallization of revolutionary theory and practice, which has forged the mettle of a mature diplomacy today. The lesson is to be steadfast in national and ethnic interests; to combine national strength with the strength of the times; to be steadfast in principles, flexible in strategies; to take research, forecasting, and strategic advice as the basis of diplomacy; to build a contingent of cadres as the key of the key; to link diplomacy with the people's hearts.

Vietnam's diplomacy is facing a historic mission. General Secretary To Lam suggested that the diplomatic sector focus on a number of orientations: Building a comprehensive, modern, professional diplomacy imbued with Vietnamese identity; comprehensive on all three pillars: Party diplomacy - State diplomacy - people's diplomacy; closely combining with national defense, security, economy, science and technology, culture and foreign information; modern in thinking, methods and tools: Implementing digital transformation of diplomacy, big data analysis, digital diplomacy - digital citizens - digital media; standardizing diplomatic processes and standards. Professional in people, organization, implementation discipline; behavioral culture, negotiation art, multilateral skills on par with the region and the world. Promoting Vietnam's diplomatic identity: Firm in principles, flexible in strategies, ensuring the highest national interests. Constantly enhancing the country's position while honoring the value of peace, promoting noble humanism and actively contributing responsibly to the common values of humanity and the international community.

Contribute to lighting up the belief in a world of peace, cooperation and development

The General Secretary requested to ensure the highest national interests on the basis of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law. Maintain independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and a peaceful and stable environment for national development.

On the basis of the United Nations Charter, international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), properly handle issues at sea and on land with the motto of both cooperation and struggle, including efforts to promote cooperation, dialogue, and seek common ground with relevant parties.

Promote comprehensive diplomacy for development, focusing on economic diplomacy and technological diplomacy: Proactively attract high-quality resources (strategic investment capital, core technology, elite human resources). Continue to open markets, upgrade and sign new-generation, high-quality Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Connect infrastructure - logistics - supply chain - green finance initiatives. Enhance Vietnam's position in the global value chain. Maximize the role of diplomacy in specialized fields, especially science-technology diplomacy, education and training: Strengthen training, exchange of experts, establish Research - Development centers. Do a good job of citizen protection, care for and be a reliable support for the Vietnamese community abroad, wherever they are, at any time; effectively promote global Vietnamese intellectual resources.

The General Secretary pointed out that Vietnam's contributions to world politics, the global economy, human civilization, peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world should be enhanced.

Be proactive, positive, and propose initiatives at international and regional multilateral forums; strive to take on a core and leading role at multilateral forums and organizations of strategic importance, in accordance with specific requirements, capabilities, and conditions. Contribute to strengthening commonalities, narrowing differences, promoting and elevating multilateral diplomacy.

Proactively and actively contribute with other countries to building a fair and equal world political and economic order based on the United Nations Charter and international law. Promote the pioneering role, be ready to take the lead in priority areas of practical national interests, especially in responding to climate change, energy security, water security, and technology transfer.

Actively and responsibly participate in solving common regional and world issues. Harmonize national interests with international obligations; increase Vietnam's contributions to UN peacekeeping activities, humanitarian relief, etc.

Strongly innovate cultural diplomacy and foreign information work, contributing to enhancing and consolidating the country's soft power, promoting the image, identity and values of Vietnam, and enriching human civilization.

The General Secretary noted that it is necessary to improve the quality and effectiveness of research, forecasting, and strategic advice on foreign affairs. To do that, it is necessary to increase investment in research, innovate thinking and approaches to advisory culture in the direction of being straightforward, responsible, daring to think, daring to do, and daring to take responsibility for the interests of the nation.

Building an external research ecosystem: Connecting strong domestic and foreign research centers, overseas scholars, and businesses; promoting the application of new technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence in research and consulting work; developing a strategic data analysis center. Perfecting the early warning mechanism, scenario-making of geo-economic-technological risks; proposing timely and feasible response plans.

The General Secretary instructed to build a team of diplomatic cadres that are "both red and professional" to meet the requirements and tasks of the new era. Do a good job of planning, training and fostering cadres in political theory, international legal expertise, partner languages and cultures, multilateral diplomacy skills, digital diplomacy and public diplomacy.

Lifelong, non-stop learning is the guiding principle in building a team of cadres, civil servants, and workers in the diplomatic sector. Attracting and promoting talents; creating an environment for young cadres to improve themselves through difficult and new tasks. Allocating sufficient resources to foreign affairs commensurate with the country's new position and strength to meet the requirements of tasks in the new situation, taking care of the material and spiritual life so that diplomatic cadres can confidently contribute.

Tighten discipline, prevent and combat corruption, waste and negativity. Focus on building clean and strong Party committees and organizations in the whole industry. Continue to closely coordinate with ministries, departments, branches and localities, especially national defense and security, to create a solid "tripod" to protect the Fatherland early and from afar; at the same time, contribute to promoting the country's rapid and sustainable development.

The General Secretary emphasized that, through the upheavals of the times, Vietnamese diplomacy has constantly improved, affirming the mettle of a nation that loves peace, aspires for development, and is brave and clever in dealing with foreign affairs. We have the right to be proud that: Vietnamese diplomacy not only serves the Fatherland and the people, but also contributes to lighting up the belief in a world of peace, cooperation and development.

The General Secretary believes that Vietnamese diplomacy - with the mettle, intelligence, spirit and character of the Vietnamese people in the new era - will continue to be the pioneering and core force with glorious responsibilities: Creating and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, pioneering in connecting cooperation, opening up and attracting development resources, and constantly improving the country's position.

General Secretary To Lam presented the title of Hero of Labor to comrade Nguyen Thi Binh, former member of the Party Central Committee, former Vice President, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam. (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)

At the ceremony, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, General Secretary To Lam awarded the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the First Class Labor Medal for its outstanding and outstanding achievements in advising and implementing foreign affairs activities of the Party and State, contributing to the cause of building socialism and defending the Fatherland from 2023 to 2025.

On this occasion, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, General Secretary To Lam awarded the title of "Hero of Labor" to Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh, former member of the Party Central Committee, former Vice President, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam for her great contributions in the field of foreign affairs, contributing to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.

According to Vietnamplus.vn

https://www.vietnamplus.vn/tong-bi-thu-to-lam-ngoai-giao-viet-nam-tien-phong-ket-noi-hop-tac-post1057762.vnp

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/tong-bi-thu-to-lam-ngoai-giao-viet-nam-tien-phong-ket-noi-hop-tac-215800.html