A Growing Presence on the International Stage

Since joining the United Nations in 1977, Vietnam has continuously asserted its role in international organisations. Over the past half-century, Vietnam has held many important positions, demonstrating responsibility and leadership. Notably, the country successfully served as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, earning high praise from the international community for its constructive contributions. In 2023, Vietnam continued its leadership role as Vice President of the 77th UN General Assembly and as a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term, affirming its growing role in shaping global policies.

Vietnam has also actively participated in regional mechanisms such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). Within ASEAN, Vietnam has played a key role in maintaining unity and building a strong ASEAN Community, particularly through initiatives launched during its 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship. These efforts have not only strengthened regional cooperation but also enhanced Vietnam’s international reputation.

Vietnam has also been active in shaping key global agendas, such as the Summit of the Future and the Global Plastics Treaty, while contributing to efforts to tackle climate change and ensure food security. These initiatives not only reflect Vietnam’s sense of responsibility but also position the country as a trusted partner in the international community.

Vietnam’s foreign policy, as outlined at the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam in 2021, emphasises independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development. In a world facing challenges such as conflicts, climate change, and non-traditional security threats, Vietnam has taken the lead in peace-building and promoting multilateral cooperation.

In 2025, Vietnam hosted the P4G Summit under the theme “Sustainable and People-Centred Green Transition”. With the participation of General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and international leaders, the summit underscored Vietnam’s role in connecting governments, businesses, and social organisations to develop breakthrough solutions for green growth. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasised that green transition is an inevitable journey, an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority for achieving sustainable development goals.

Vietnam is increasingly viewed as a reliable partner by investors, tourists, and international friends. In 2024, the country attracted nearly 38.23 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI), with disbursed capital reaching a record 25.35 billion USD, up 9.4% from the previous year. Total import-export turnover reached 786.29 billion USD in 2024, up 15.4% year-on-year, with exports growing 14.3% and imports 16.7%, resulting in a trade surplus of 24.77 billion USD. These achievements reflect Vietnam’s political stability, favourable investment climate, and international economic integration.

According to Lapetina David, Engineering Director at Money Forward Vietnam, the country has made impressive strides in post-pandemic economic recovery and development. After a slowdown in 2020-2021, Vietnam rebounded with 8% GDP growth in 2022 and maintained a stable 5.1% in 2023. These gains stem from smart legal reforms, especially around foreign investment, and the resilience of Vietnamese society and economy.

Vietnam has kept inflation under control, maintained a low unemployment rate, and prioritised the development of high-tech industries, green energy, and healthcare. Liberal foreign investment policies, along with improved English proficiency and higher education quality, are helping Vietnam become a more attractive destination for global investors. Factors such as a young population, a rapidly growing middle class, and deep integration into global supply chains continue to strengthen Vietnam’s position.

He also believes that Vietnam has strong growth potential in sectors such as fintech, elder care, AI, robotics, and the digital economy. With continued investments in infrastructure, digital transformation, and legal reforms, Vietnam could not only sustain its growth momentum but also emerge as a leader in the Asia-Pacific region in the coming decade.

During the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, the young generation of Vietnam actively took part in commemorative and historical education activities, embodying the spirit of historical continuity. Notably, the interactive exhibition organised by Nhan Dan Newspaper at its headquarters at 71 Hang Trong Street, Hanoi, became a major attraction for young people. The newspaper also distributed 500,000 free copies of its special supplement nationwide over more than 10 days of the exhibition. Hundreds of thousands of young attendees lined up to experience modern technologies such as 3D mapping, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR), which allowed them to engage with history in a vivid and profound way.

Le Quoc Minh, Editor-in-chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, emphasised that this special media campaign was meticulously prepared over six months, aiming to produce rich and meaningful journalism that connects generations and spreads historical values to the public—especially the youth.

According to Minh, this media campaign is not only a tribute to historical achievements but also reflects the responsibility of revolutionary journalism in nurturing patriotism and national pride among today’s and future generations. A key goal of recent Nhan Dan projects has been to use journalism and technology to deliver historical lessons to young people, especially students, including those at the primary level.

During a meeting with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Minh introduced the special supplement of Nhan Dan Newspaper and led the delegation through the interactive exhibition. Kobayashi Yosuke, JICA’s Chief Representative in Vietnam, praised the innovative approach, stating that the success of the event not only reflected the creativity of the Nhan Dan team but also demonstrated the vibrant patriotism of Vietnamese youth.