80 years of Vietnamese diplomacy: A journey of conducting foreign affairs
WVR - On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of Vietnam’s diplomatic sector (August 28, 1945 – August 28, 2025) and the conferment of the First-Class Labour Order on the morning of August 25, the World and Vietnam Report spoke with “diplomatic veterans” to hear their reflections on the foreign affairs journey guided by the motto “firm in principles, flexible in application.”
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Gratitude for the footsteps of predecessors
With nearly 40 years dedicated to the Diplomatic Service, the most profound memory for Mr. Nguyen Sy Xung, former Vice President of the Institute of International Relations (now the Diplomatic Academy), former Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and former Ambassador of Vietnam to Turkey, is the opportunity to work and learn from the previous generations of officials.
He shares that the senior colleagues in the field have passed down not only invaluable experiences in foreign affairs but also numerous lessons on becoming a diplomat who meets the demands and aspirations of the nation through various stages.
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| 80 years of Vietnames diplomacy: Ambassador Nguyen Sy Xung sheres his reflection. (Photo: Ngoc Anh) |
"Throughout nearly 40 years of service, I have always strived to uphold those lessons. Today, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Vietnamese diplomacy, these values continue to be distilled and affirmed. I believe this will forever be a precious asset, encouraging today's and future generations of diplomats to fulfill their mission of serving the nation and the people," the seasoned diplomat emphasizes.
The former Ambassador of Vietnam to Turkey also recalls the "distinctive style" of Vietnamese diplomacy, summarized by many generations of leaders from the lessons of President Ho Chi Minh: "to be firm in principles but flexible in application". According to him, this is a guiding principle that should be ingrained in the mindset and actions of every generation of foreign affairs officials.
Especially, as someone who has been closely associated with the 69 Chua Lang school, Ambassador Nguyen Sy Xung also advises the younger generation: "A diplomat must continuously learn and train in all areas, from ethics and demeanor to intellect, to always be ready to shoulder the assigned tasks effectively."
Youth as the vanguard force
In nearly 40 years of engagement in the silent battlefield, Mr. Nguyen Thac Dinh, former Ambassador of Vietnam to the Philippines and Brazil, has witnessed numerous significant events of the nation. Yet, the most deeply etched memory in the Ambassador's heart is linked to a special day exactly 30 years ago – the moment Vietnam officially joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
At that time, Ambassador Nguyen Thac Dinh was entrusted with the role of Chargé d'affaires, participating in the establishment of the Vietnamese Embassy in Brunei Darussalam and preparing to welcome the Vietnamese Foreign Minister's delegation. He recounts that during the flag-raising ceremony celebrating Vietnam's accession to ASEAN that year, the moment the red flag with a yellow star was slowly hoisted at the square in Brunei Darussalam, blending with the heroic melody of the National Anthem, was a sacred moment that the veteran diplomat will always remember.
"The sky was clear blue that day, the red flag with a yellow star proudly flew alongside the flags of other ASEAN countries. It was truly one of the most profound memories in my diplomatic career," he shared nostalgically.
Furthermore, according to Ambassador Nguyen Thac Dinh, joining ASEAN was not only a milestone in regional integration but also opened the door for Vietnam to engage deeply with the international community. Following this event, Vietnam quickly established relations with many organizations and countries worldwide, laying a solid foundation for the process of renovation and development.
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| Ambassador Nguyen Thac Dinh believes that in the digital era, the younger generation is the vanguard force to realize the goal of building a comprehensive and modern diplomacy. (Photo: Ngoc Anh) |
Like Ambassador Nguyen Sy Xung, Ambassador Dinh asserts that it is precisely what President Ho Chi Minh summarized: "Immutability amidst change". This spirit has been consistently applied by generations of diplomats over the past 80 years, from the years of resistance to the current era of renewal and integration. "We have been and are implementing the spirit taught by President Ho: Upholding principles, steadfast in national independence, yet always flexible and skillful to adapt to changes."
The clearest evidence, according to him, is that today Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with 194 countries, including 13 Comprehensive Strategic Partners. This is the result of a diplomatic approach that is "steadfast and flexible" – an unmistakable identity.
Affectionately called the "national teacher" by generations of diplomatic students, Ambassador Nguyen Thac Dinh advises: "In the digital era, the younger generation is the vanguard force to realize the goal of building a comprehensive and modern diplomacy."
To achieve this, young diplomats need to embody three elements: Strong political courage, steadfast revolutionary ideology, and mastery of foreign languages and digital technology.
"Only when fully trained in ethics, intellect, and skills can each young diplomat become a modern, comprehensive diplomat, capable of shouldering the mission of serving the nation and the people in the new era," the Ambassador affirms.
The silent warriors
For Ambassador Luan Thuy Duong, in her diplomatic journey, the most profound impression was her tenure as the Vietnamese Ambassador to Myanmar. During those years, the female Ambassador was always acutely aware of the responsibility of a diplomat: To promote Vietnam's relations with other countries to be increasingly sustainable and effective, thereby contributing to the nation's development.
Assigned to a country with a complex political situation and bilateral relations "with many issues to address", Ambassador Luan Thuy Duong always maintained a spirit of service to the nation and the Diplomatic Sector. Through continuous efforts, the team of officials and staff at the Embassy contributed to maintaining Vietnam-Myanmar relations in a friendly atmosphere, thereby promoting the two countries to achieve a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework. On this basis, economic cooperation and other areas between the two countries have seen significant progress.
From practical experience, the female Ambassador deeply appreciates the core principle left by President Ho Chi Minh for Vietnamese diplomacy "to be firm in principles but flexible in application". According to her, the "iprinciiple" is the supreme interest of the nation, the independence, and sovereignty of the country – inviolable principles that every diplomat must protect. But to achieve this, each diplomat needs to have courage, acumen, and the ability to adapt flexibly to each specific context. Alongside this, another extremely important principle is to know how to combine national strength with the strength of the times. Only when both these elements are combined can comprehensive strength in international relations be realized.
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| Former Vietnamese Ambassador to Myanmar Luan Thuy Duong offers advice to young diplomats. (Photo: Ngọc Anh) |
Today, as the nation enters a new era, an era of rising, Ambassador Luan Thuy Duong believes that every diplomat, whether retired or currently serving, and especially the younger generation, must remember two things:
First, they must join hands to build a comprehensive, professional, and modern diplomacy. "Comprehensive" not only means the close coordination between Party diplomacy, State diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy, but also the harmonious integration of national strength with the strength of the times across all fields. "Modern" requires each diplomat to continuously cultivate knowledge, train their temperament, style, courage, and flexibility to meet the new demands of the times. Only then can we overcome challenges and seize valuable opportunities.
Second, referring to the documentary "From Streams to Oceans" shown at the anniversary celebration on August 25, the Ambassador affirms that our country has "stepped out into the ocean". Therefore, young people, in addition to honing their knowledge, courage, and temperament, must also remember that the Diplomatic Service has a particularly important role: They are the "silent warriors" – the pioneers who ensure the country's development in peace, stability, and prosperity.
Through the heartfelt sharing of three veteran diplomats, it is evident that the 80-year journey of Vietnamese Diplomacy is written with countless historical milestones and stories imbued with the spirit of dedicated service. This is also the "distinctive quality" of Vietnamese diplomacy: Steadfast in national interests, combining national strength with the strength of the times. And on the journey ahead, the message from the Ambassadors remains powerful: Building a comprehensive, professional, modern diplomacy so that diplomacy continues to be the vanguard force, contributing to the nation's strong rise on the international stage.
