Creating Vietnamese Spaces in Venezuela: Soft power and the spirit of “Dare to Think, Dare to Do”
WVR - As we approach the 81st anniversary of the establishment of the Foreign Affairs sector (28/8/1945 - 28/8/2026), reflecting on the journey of completing the Embassy headquarters and the Vietnam House - Ambassador's Residence in Venezuela, this is truly a campaign interwoven with extraordinary efforts and a deep understanding of the local culture.
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| Politburo Member, Party Secretary of the Ministry, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister Andrea Corao unveil the plaque of the new headquarters of the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela) |
Above all, it is a journey imbued with the spirit of “dare to think, dare to do” by the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela amidst the epicenter of unpredictable upheavals.
On the late afternoon of June 24, just as the applause celebrating the inauguration ceremony subsided and the red cloth covering the sign of the new Embassy headquarters was pulled down by Politburo Member, Party Secretary of the Ministry, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister Andrea Corao, an unforeseen scenario unfolded: a double earthquake with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale unexpectedly shook Caracas, causing severe damage, especially in the Chacao district where the Embassy headquarters and the Vietnam House - Ambassador's Residence are located.
A few tense minutes passed, but when the aftershocks subsided, the new Headquarters and Vietnam House – Ambassador's Residence remained standing with minimal damage compared to the surrounding areas. That moment of calm after the seismic event became a perfect metaphor.
For these sturdy structures to rise in Caracas today, Embassy staff had to overcome countless “invisible earthquakes” in a breathless sprint that began in mid-2025.
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| Delegates cutting the ribbon at the inauguration. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela) |
A command from the heart and the spirit of “Dare to Think, Dare to Do”
It all began in July 2025, when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs leadership approved the policy to purchase two properties to serve as the Embassy Headquarters and the Vietnam House - Ambassador's Residence.
The mandate was extremely challenging: to complete a massive workload to fully disburse the budget by December 31, 2025.
Time was already tight, and the objective circumstances were even harsher. From mid-August 2025, Venezuela faced immense pressure from sanctions and threats of blockade and military attacks.
Owning property in Venezuela, already notorious for complex administrative and legal procedures, became even more deadlocked amid geopolitical risks.
There were many sincere warnings suggesting that diving into such a thorny project amidst a boiling situation would only bring immense pressure and fatigue, with uncertain outcomes!
However, if one harbored a fear of making mistakes, of responsibility, and chose the easy path, the project might have had to halt. Rising above those concerns, with the spirit of daring to think, daring to do, and dedication to the nation's common interests, the Embassy staff was determined to turn the impossible into possible. Numerous meetings, exchanges, and discussions took place.
With an 11-hour time difference, the Embassy Headquarters almost never turned off the lights during those days. By day, they were busy negotiating with local partners; by night, they held internal meetings and online conferences with Vietnam, urgently reporting and seeking guidance from the Ministry to ensure progress hour by hour.
However, amidst the maze of seemingly insurmountable administrative procedures in a short time, the legal bottleneck was cleared not through rigid administrative processes, but through a deep understanding of the local cultural characteristics.
Latin American people and officials, in general, and Venezuelans, in particular, highly value personal relationships, sincerity, and genuine friendships. Understanding this, the Embassy skillfully maximized “soft power.”
Through understanding and respecting local culture, the Embassy staff gained support and deep trust from local leaders and authorities.
Thanks to this practical international friendship, processes that usually took years were shortened to just a few months. By November 2025, just before the deadline, the Embassy officially became the legal owner of two major assets, fully preserving the State's funds.
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| The staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela taking a photo at the new headquarters. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela) |
A refuge for the soul of the homeland
Acquiring the premises was a feat, but the journey to renovate and infuse Vietnamese spirit into the space was a story filled with humanity and courage.
On December 18, 2025, two consulting engineers from Vietnam - Nguyen Xuan Tuan and Tran Ngoc Khanh, staff of Arteco Vietnam Trade and Construction Consulting Joint Stock Company - arrived in Venezuela, tasked with providing technical support for the project.
However, shortly after, the military attack on Venezuela on January 3, 2026, led to the suspension of commercial flights. The two were stranded in a country halfway around the world from home amidst a complex security situation.
Immediately, the Embassy became a shield, a “homeland's embrace” to protect and ensure the safety of its citizens.
Overcoming initial anxieties, with solid support from the Representative Office, the two engineers maintained their faith, continued to stay on the project, meticulously reviewing every technical detail. Their courage and dedication became part of every mortar line and brick of today's structure.
The special highlight of these two structures is their complementary contrast, perfectly reflecting the philosophy of modern Vietnamese diplomacy: dynamic and internationally integrated, yet steadfast in preserving deep national identity and essence.
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| The Vietnamese-inspired space of the Vietnam House - Ambassador's Residence. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela) |
If the Embassy Headquarters is a standard public space, setting the highest standards for functionality to ensure dynamic work pace and international integration, with modern facilities meeting stringent security and foreign affairs demands of the new era; then the Vietnam House - Ambassador's Residence is the “soft power” spreading - a space of emotions, tranquility, and grandeur rooted in cultural origins.
Located in the prestigious Country Club urban area and golf course established in 1917, known for its magnificent Western estates and heritage golf course of the elite, the Vietnam House proudly rises with a design rich in traditional architecture.
Any international guest stepping in cannot help but be amazed by the red-tiled roof reminiscent of familiar Dong Nai tiles. Supporting this roof are imposing, sturdy wooden columns and trusses. Inside, there is a “dialogue” of traditional art intertwined with Asian-inspired interiors and exquisite lacquer works, rich in Vietnamese spirit.
Enveloping this architectural mass is a lush “miniature Vietnam.” Along the entrance are rows of bamboo symbolizing resilient, enduring spirit. Right in front of the porch, a hometown starfruit tree stands peacefully beside two sturdy cycads. Stepping into the outdoor space, the garden opens up like a corner of home with mango, peach, grapefruit, lemon, sapodilla... and a patch of ferns always green thanks to the automatic irrigation system.
The perfect harmony between the imposing truss system and the garden full of fragrance and color has turned the Vietnam House into an invaluable “soft power” tool. Here, under the cozy wooden house, amidst familiar floral scents, traditional Vietnamese culinary art becomes a silent language, allowing friends and local elites to touch the cultural depth and understand more about the soul of Vietnam.
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| The red-tiled roof reminiscent of familiar Dong Nai tiles, supported by imposing, sturdy wooden columns and trusses. |
Epilogue: Acknowledgment and a milestone of determination
The sweat, sleepless nights, and sacrifices of the Embassy staff have finally borne fruit. That pride was fully realized at the ribbon-cutting ceremony in June 2026.
Standing before the new, spacious premises, just before the historic earthquake disaster tested the structure once more, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung particularly acknowledged and highly appreciated the extraordinary efforts and determination of all the Embassy staff.
The Minister's commendation of their resilient spirit, daring to think and do, overcoming all difficulties and barriers to ensure the project's progress excellently, is an invaluable spiritual reward for those “warriors” on the diplomatic front.
Concluding the sprint of 2025 - 2026, the two architectural works bearing the name Vietnam in Venezuela will continue to stand firm as milestones of determination. They are vivid proof that in the most challenging circumstances, the intelligence, bravery, and sophistication of Vietnamese diplomats will always find a way to rise and shine.
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| The staff of the Vietnamese Embassy inside the Vietnam House - Ambassador's Residence. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela) |
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| The familiar starfruit tree in front of the house. |
