Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the first National Conference on Foreign Affairs, December 14, 2021.

External relations activities have been implemented in an active, synchronous, flexible, creative and effective manner, strongly promoting its pioneering role. Close coordination has been seen among three pillars of comprehensive and modern diplomacy, between foreign affairs and national defense, security and other fields, between high-level foreign affairs and foreign affaires at all levels, branches and sectors, between bilateral and multilateral activities, etc.

The overarching results achieved in external relation activities continue contributing to the firmer consolidation of a peaceful and stable environment, safeguarding independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, mobilizing external resources for disease prevention and control, socio-economic recovery and development, contributing to further enhancing the national international position and prestige.

Since the 13th National Congress, external relations activities have been actively, synchronously, flexibly, creatively and effectively implemented, strongly promoting its pioneering role.

The meeting between Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President of the Cambodian People's Party, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia Samdech Techo Hun Sen and General Secretary, President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith in Hanoi on September 26, 2021.

Party General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong (L) paid an official visit to the People's Republic of China from October 30 to November 1, 2022 at the invitation of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping.

Especially, the visit to China by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong from October 30 to November 1, 2022 is an extremely important event.

Talking about the outcomes of the visit, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed: "The visit has created a new development momentum for the two countries' relations, and a historic milestone in Vietnam and China party relations. The visit not only consolidates peace, friendship and development cooperation between the two countries, but also opens up many opportunities for developing relations with many important partners, etc.

In the context of the current complicated and unpredictable developments in the world and region, the process of innovation, reform, opening-up and socialist construction in each country has entered a new phase. Therefore, the official visit to China by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is of great significance in strengthening and deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China in the new period. At the same time, the visit helps strengthen political trust, creating a solid political foundation and promote substantive cooperation in various fields between the two countries, strengthening the friendship between the two peoples of Vietnam and China.”

The official visit to China by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is of great significance in strengthening and deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China in the new period.

The visits and high-level external relations activities of the Party General Secretary, the State President, the Prime Minister, the National Assembly Chairman and the Foreign Minister with other important partners such as the US, Japan, Republic of Korea, India, the EU, etc. have created new breakthroughs in bilateral relations.

Vietnam and the United States have actively and continously discussed measures to promote the bilateral relations. With Japan, Vietnam urges to soon implement the new generation ODA program. Vietnam and the Republic of Korea have upgraded bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022. The country's stance on Ukraine conflict is highly appreciated by Russia. Vietnam also takes the occasion of the anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties with EU members to promote cooperation in all fields, namely strategic partnership on green finance established with Luxembourg, and to consolidate relations with strategic partners and comprehensive partners in the EU such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, etc.

On the evening of March 29, 2023, at the headquarters of the Party Central Committee, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong had a high-level telephone conversation with US President Joe Biden. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong emphasized that the outcomes achieved in the relationship between the two countries are in line with the aspirations of the two peoples, and being promoted on the basis of respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and political institutions of each country, mutual understanding, equal cooperation, mutual benefit and in the spirit of "putting aside the past, overcoming differences, promoting similarities, looking to the future". President Joe Biden agrees with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’ comments.

President Vo Van Thuong receives Governor-General of Australia David Hurley on April 4, 2023 at the Presidential Palace. At the discussion, the leaders of the two countries expressed their satisfaction with the substantive and effective development of the Vietnam - Australia Strategic Partnership after 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations. In particular, many cooperation areas mentioned in the Action Program for the period 2020-2023 have become bright spots in the two countries' relations, such as security-defence, economy-trade, science and technology, education-training, people-to-people exchange, etc.

Vietnam has taken advantage and promoted the effectiveness of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to boost exports to EU markets. Among 27 EU members, 14 countries have ratifed the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), etc.

Vietnam’s role, position and reputation as an active, reliable and responsible member of the international community to be consolidated and enhanced.

On the multilateral dimension, external relations activities have continued to contribute to enhancing the role, position and prestige of Vietnam as an active, reliable and responsible member of the international community. Vietnam has successfully fullfilled the position of a Non-permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, the Vice President of the United Nations General Assembly, and was elected to the Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025, etc.

Activities of Vietnam's peacekeeping forces in Africa have been highly appreciated and for the first time Vietnam sent rescue teams to participate in search and rescue for victims of natural disasters in Turkey. On the basis of steadfastly independence and self-reliance, ensuring the utmost interests of the nation-state, respecting basic principles of international law, Vietnam has properly handled many complex issues in important multilateral mechanisms such as ASEAN, the United Nations, APEC, the Mekong sub-region, etc.

At the invitation of General Secretary and President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Thongloun Sisoulith, President Vo Van Thuong and a high-ranking delegation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam paid an official visit to Laos from April 10-11, 2023.

At the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh led a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to attend the expanded G7 Summit in Japan from May 19-21, 2023.

Health care diplomacy and vaccine diplomacy have contributed to preventing and repelling the COVID-19 pandemic. Dynamic, flexible and effective diplomatic activities have contributed to mobilizing about 50% of the total doses of COVID-19 vaccine along with many medical equipment from outside, saving the budget about 900 million USD. Effective vaccine diplomacy has made an important contribution to the successful implementation of the vaccination strategy, creating a prerequisite for a safe transition to post COVID-19 pandemic and the restoration of socio-economic development.

Environmental diplomacy and development cooperation achieved a number of outstanding outcomes. Vietnam coordinated with the Group 7 and other international partners to establish the Political Declaration on the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). The country has also exerted its effort in mobilizing external resources to fulfill Vietnam's commitments at COP26, strengthen diplomacy for digital and green transformation.

On June 26, 2023, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with Premier Li Qiang in Beijing. In the atmosphere of sincerity, friendship and openness, the two Prime Ministers informed each other about the situation of each Party and country; exchange views on important issues in the two countries' relations, concretizing achievements and realizing common perceptions agreed during the official visit to China by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the end of 2022, deepening Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership.

The achievements of economic diplomacy since the 13th Party National Congress have made practical contributions to macroeconomic stability, maintenance and attraction of foreign investment capital and import supply. At the same time, economic diplomacy helps constantly expand exports, attract tourists and resume labor cooperation; thereby contribute to promoting economic recovery and development in the context of world economic difficulties.

Economic growth in 2022 reached 8.02%, the highest increase in the period 2011 - 2022. Total import and export turnover in 2022 reached 730.28 billion USD, turned Vietnam into the group of 20 countries with largest trade in the world. Foreign direct investment (FDI) into Vietnam in 2022 reached a record, attracting more than 22 billion USD, the highest number in the period 2017-2022.

Protecting the Fatherland from early and from afar, maintaining independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In the first half of the 13th National Party Congress, external relations activities have been implemented comprehensively, synchronously, closely coordinated with national defense and security, and promptly and properly handled cases of infringement of maritime sovereignty, promoting maritime delimitation negotiations with relevant countries.

In addition to well-managing the land border, facilitating cross border exchanges and socio-economic development, Vietnam has resolutely, persistently and promptly handled land border cases, promoted negotiations on the land border and facilitated the border demarcation with Cambodia. Vietnam well manages and properly handles issues related to democracy, human rights and religion, contributing to the maintaining stability, security, social order and safety.

Vietnam's election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025 with a high number of votes affirms the support and trust of other countries for Vietnam.

On April 20, 2023, at the Cuban Revolutionary Palace in Havana, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue had a meeting with First Secretary, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel. NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue conveyed the cordial and warm greetings from Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Vo Van Thuong to General Raúl Castro Ruz and First Secretary, President Miguel Díaz - Canel. On this occasion, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue presented the Cuban leader with the book "Some theoretical and practical issues about socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam" by Party General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong.

The work of overseas Vietnamese and the protection of citizens has been effectively implemented, closely following the implementation of Conclusion No. 12-KL/TW dated August 12, 2021 of the Politburo on the work of overseas Vietnamese in the new situation, focused on the development of overseas Vietnamese community, stepping up the mobilization and attraction of external resources and connecting overseas Vietnamese with the homeland and the nation, contributing to the consolidation of great national unity.

Citizen protection works have achieved remarkable results such as ensuring the safety of life, health and legitimate interests of overseas Vietnamese in the context of many unfolding conflicts and complex fluctuations.

Vietnam has safely evacuated more than 6,200 citizens from Ukraine, brought home more than 1,200 citizens from Cambodia and more than 1,800 fishermen from many countries, and taken measures to timely support and protect Vietnamese citizens and businesses in Myanmar, support Vietnamese people to consolidate their legal status and stabilize their lives in Cambodia and Ukraine, etc.

On June 23, 2023, in Hanoi, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue had a meeting with President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol on the occasion of the latter's State visit to Vietnam from 22-24 June 2023. At the meeting, the two sides agreed on many measures to strengthen the bilateral cooperation relationship between Vietnam and RoK, promoting the scale of trade between the two countries, cooperation in labor, science and technology, innovation, tourism and cultural industry, etc.

External information and communication work and cultural diplomacy have been renewed and effectively implemented, contributing to enhancing soft power of Vietnam, attracting development resources and raising the country's position and prestige.

External information and communication work has been creatively implemented, diverse in contents and methods, with emphasis and focus on external relations activities, especially the external activities of the Party and State leaders. External information and communication work closely follows and promotes the implementation of "Project on improving the effectiveness of external information and communication work of Vietnamese Representative Missions abroad until 2030".

Cultural diplomacy has been promoted with the implementation of the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy to 2030, continuing to promote its role as an active and responsible member of UNESCO and other cultural and sports mechanisms and forums. Vietnam is currently a member of three important administrative and professional mechanisms of UNESCO, including: Executive Council for the term 2021 - 2025; the Intergovernmental Committee on the Protection and Promotion of Diversity of Cultural Expressions for the 2021 - 2025 term, the Intergovernmental Committee on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2022 - 2026 term. The country has successfully organized many cultural diplomacy programs both at home and abroad, of which the highlight was the successful organization of the 31st SEA Games.

Especially, since the 13th National Congress, Vietnam has successfully campaigned for four UNESCO titles, actively campaigned politically and diplomatically to preserve and promote the value of the nation's cultural heritage. Cultural heritages make practical contributions to the image promotion and socio-economic development of many localities of the country.

On April 15, 2023, in Hanoi, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son held talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that Vietnam considers the US as one of its most important partners and desires to boster the comprehensive partnership on the basis of mutual benefits, respecting independence and sovereignty, territorial integrity and political system of each other. Minister Bui Thanh Son highly appreciated the coordination between the two foreign ministries over the past time, especially the role of Foreign Minister Blinken in promoting Vietnam-US relations, including a high-level phone conversation between General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and US President Joe Biden, contributing to strengthening trust, creating more motivation and opening a new phase for cooperation between the two countries in the coming time.

The 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) was taken place in Vietnam from May 12-23, 2022. This is the second time Vietnam has hosted the SEA Games since 2003. Through the 31st SEA Games, Vietnam conveyed image of Vietnam as a “safe, friendly, gentle, loving guests, integration and development" country as Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed at the Closing Ceremony of the 31st SEA Games. And above all, Vietnam is always ready to be a friend, a reliable and responsible partner of the international community.