Hanoi: Promoting the pioneering role and fulfilling the crucial, regular tasks of Vietnam's foreign affairs in the new era
WVR - Looking back on its journey, Hanoi's foreign affairs have made a rich and profound legacy, rooted in translating the spirit of "Hanoi for the Nation, Together with the Nation" into concrete action and elevating it to the international stage.
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| In the context of the country entering a new development phase with the demand for deeper international integration, foreign affairs have been identified by the Party as a crucial, regular task, playing a pioneering role in creating a peaceful environment, mobilizing external resources, and enhancing the national position. As the capital, the national political-administrative centre, and the international exchange hub of the country, Hanoi not only effectively implements the foreign policy of the Party and State but also gradually affirms its role as a regional connection centre, a destination for peace, cooperation, and creativity. Significant imprints on all three pillars of Party diplomacy, State diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy have contributed to enhancing the international position of the capital, while opening up many opportunities to attract investment, knowledge, technology, and resources for development. In the context of global strategic competition, digital transformation, and green transformation shaping new cooperation trends, Hanoi sets the requirement to strongly innovate its thinking and diplomatic methods to realize the goal of becoming a globally connected city by 2045, with international competitiveness and a center of regional innovation. On the occasion of the 33rd Diplomatic Conference, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang shared with The World and Vietnam Report about the outstanding achievements of the capital's foreign affairs in recent times, solutions to effectively promote the three pillars of foreign affairs in the new phase, as well as the vision to make Hanoi a driving force for international connection, contributing to the country's development goals by 2030, with a vision to 2045. |
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| Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang. (Photo: Viet Thanh) |
Pioneering foreign affairs, affirming the Capital's position on the international stage
The Party identifies foreign affairs as a crucial, regular task in the cause of building and safeguarding the Fatherland. With the special position and role of the capital, how do you evaluate Hanoi's outstanding contributions in realizing the Party and State's foreign policy, especially through the three pillars: Party diplomacy, State diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy?
Throughout the history of nation-building and safeguarding, foreign affairs have always held a particularly important role. Entering a new development phase, our Party continues to affirm: Foreign affairs are a crucial, regular task, playing a pioneering role in creating and maintaining a peaceful, stable environment, mobilizing external resources to develop the country, and enhancing the national position and prestige.
As the heart of the country, the national political-administrative centre, and a major centre for culture, science, education, economy, and international transactions, in recent years, Hanoi has comprehensively and deeply implemented foreign affairs across all three pillars, creating a synergistic strength:
Regarding Party diplomacy, the City has always proactively and actively expanded and deepened cooperative relations through Party channels between the Hanoi City Party Committee and the Party Committees of the capitals of strategic partner countries, grassroots cooperation between Party committees; serving as the core to increase sustainable political trust and promote friendly cooperation between the City and the capitals, localities of other countries. Through high-level visits, working sessions, delegation exchanges, sharing experiences in urban governance, Party building, and political system, Party diplomacy has contributed to strengthening the solid foundation for bilateral relations between Vietnam and other countries.
Regarding State diplomacy, Hanoi is a leading locality in implementing international commitments, promoting economic diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, and technology diplomacy. To date, the City has established official cooperative relations with 58 capitals and major cities worldwide; actively and responsibly participating in international urban forums and networks. Hanoi's foreign affairs are implemented flexibly, professionally, associated with the task of attracting FDI, ODA, technology transfer, and developing smart urban infrastructure.
Regarding people-to-people diplomacy, this is the "soft power" of the capital. With the positioning "City for Peace", "Creative City", the capital has chosen "Peace" and "Friendship" as the red thread throughout to build and promote activities, international friendship exchange programs branded as Hanoi's such as: International Art Exchange to Welcome the New Year, Spring Friendship Tour, ASEAN Cultural Colors Friendship Exchange, Friendship Bicycle Journey for a Green Hanoi…
The image of Ambassadors cycling around Hoan Kiem Lake, or personally experiencing making Bat Trang pottery, Van Phuc silk weaving, Chuyen My mother-of-pearl inlay… has created extremely strong media effects, spreading the message of a safe, friendly, open, compassionate, and vibrant Hanoi to the world.
The harmonious combination of the three pillars of foreign affairs has helped Hanoi maximize its potential, not only excellently fulfilling the assigned political tasks but also making significant contributions to the country's foreign affairs picture.
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| Politburo Member, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and delegates visit the exhibition booth at the Conference announcing the Master Plan for Hanoi Capital with a 100-year vision and investment promotion in 2026. (Photo: Viet Thanh) |
In recent years, Hanoi has made many imprints in foreign affairs, from expanding international cooperation, attracting resources for development, promoting the image of the capital, to organizing important diplomatic events. In your opinion, what are the outstanding imprints that contribute to enhancing Hanoi's international position, while creating additional momentum for the City's socio-economic development?
Looking back on the journey so far, it is clear that Hanoi's foreign affairs have left a rich and profound mark, rooted in translating the spirit of "Hanoi for the Nation, Together with the Nation" into concrete action and elevating it to the international stage. These achievements are most evident in three key areas.
Firstly, Hanoi has reinforced its reputation as a "Destination for Peace and Major International Events": The City has demonstrated its capacity to ensure absolute security and safety while providing organizing professional logistics for particularly important political and diplomatic events of the country. These include: the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians, the 4th P4G Summit, the High-Level Conference for the Signing Ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, and most recently, the ASEAN Future Forum 2026.
The City has also distinguished itself by hosting major international conferences, notably the 12th Vietnam-France Decentralized Cooperation Conference in 2023, the 10th Vietnam-China Economic Corridor Cooperation Conference in 2023; the Vietnam-Asia Smart City Conference 2023 and 2024; the 2025 International Festival for the Preservation and Development of Tranditional Craft Villages; the ASEAN City Leaders Conference 2026.
These achievements have firmly established Hanoi's identity as a "Destination of Peace", affirming its capacity for international integration, diplomatic prestige, and positive contributions of the capital to enhancing Vietnam's position and image in the region and the world.
Secondly, Hanoi becomes a "beacon" of reconciliation, cooperation, and development: Hanoi's economic diplomacy is implemented substantively and effectively, focusing on serving businesses and people.
Currently, 117 countries and territories are investing in Hanoi. Hanoi consistently ranks among the leading localities in the country in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), especially in high-tech, real estate, finance-banking, and high-quality services.
Official development assistance (ODA) and international public-private partnership (PPP) capital have been and are contributing significantly to changing the face of Hanoi's urban transport infrastructure (with projects such as urban railway lines, large bridges over the Red River, wastewater treatment systems...).
Trade promotion activities, international supply-demand connections help Hanoi's agricultural products, traditional craft village products (OCOP) reach demanding markets such as the United States, EU, Japan, Republic of Korea.
Particularly, on June 29, 2026, Hanoi officially announced the Master Plan for Hanoi Capital with a 100-year vision. If previously, the main task was to build a planning proposal with long-term development orientations, after the announcement, the priority tasks identified include completing the planning system, preparing a list of key projects, completing the planning database, and mobilizing investment resources.
Thirdly, the imprint "Connecting heritage, creativity, and elevating cultural brand": In 2019, Hanoi officially joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the Design field. This is a strategic turning point, transforming the development method based on promoting cultural "soft power". The annual organization of the Creative Design Festival, Ao Dai Festival, Tourism Festival, along with Hanoi's cultural promotion programs abroad, has significantly enhanced the recognition of the Hanoi brand - a city blending ancient heritage with new vitality, dynamic and modern.
All these imprints not only bring direct added value to the capital's economy but also strengthen the firm trust of the investor community, tourists, and international friends in Hanoi.
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| National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man takes a photo with leaders and businesses at the Conference announcing the Master Plan for Hanoi Capital with a 100-year vision and investment promotion in 2026. (Photo: Viet Thanh) |
Promoting the strength of people-to-people diplomacy, expanding cooperation and development space
People-to-people diplomacy is increasingly expected not only to be a bridge of friendship but also to connect intellectuals, entrepreneurs, overseas Vietnamese, and mobilize international resources for the capital's development. What solutions will Hanoi implement to strongly promote the role of people-to-people diplomacy in the context of deep international integration? In this process, what support does the City expect from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?
Beloved Uncle Ho once reminded us: “Build the edifice of victory on the people's foundation.” In foreign affairs, people-to-people diplomacy is the shortest and most genuine bridge to the hearts of international friends. To ensure that people-to-people diplomacy meets the demands of the new era—moving beyond traditional friendship exchanges to become an effective channel for mobilizing knowledge, financial resources, technology, and innovation in support of the Capital’s development—Hanoi is focusing on the following breakthrough measures:
Firstly, innovate thinking and operational methods: Shift strongly from "traditional friendship exchanges" to "substantive development cooperation". Use era-defining themes such as green transformation, innovation, sustainable development, education - training, creative startups as the central content in people-to-people exchange activities.
Secondly, build a network of "People's Ambassadors" and connect overseas Vietnamese. Hanoi is a convergence place and also the homeland of millions of people living and working abroad. The City will complete mechanisms and policies for overseas Vietnamese and international experts to participate more deeply in policy advice, technology transfer, and investment in key projects of the capital.
Thirdly, promote the core role of organizations and mass associations: Invest in enhancing capacity, professionalism for the team working on people-to-people diplomacy; strongly apply information technology, digital communication to spread Hanoi's image globally.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is always a "strategic companion", a solid support for Hanoi in all foreign affairs activities. In the coming time, the City very much hopes to continue receiving positive support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in three key areas:
Firstly, strategic orientation and diplomacy: Provide strategic forecast information on world situation developments, investment shift trends, helping Hanoi proactively adjust appropriate foreign policies.
Secondly, connect the network of Vietnamese Representative Missions abroad: Support Hanoi in accessing multinational corporations, large investment funds, global innovation centers; at the same time, support the introduction of international partners suitable to the capital's development needs.
Thirdly, human resource training: Coordinate to improve professional qualifications, diplomatic skills, foreign languages, and courage for the team working on Hanoi's foreign affairs, meeting international work standards.
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| Signing ceremony of the Coordination Regulation between the Standing Committee of the Hanoi Party Committee and the Standing Committee of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on implementing foreign affairs and international integration for the period 2026-2030. (Photo: Viet Thanh) |
In the context of strategic competition, digital transformation, and new development trends profoundly changing international cooperation methods, how will Hanoi innovate its foreign affairs to effectively promote the image of the capital "Civilization - Modernity - Happiness", while achieving the goal of becoming a globally connected city by 2045, with international competitiveness and a centre of regional innovation?
Resolutions and Directives have clearly defined the goals: Resolution No. 15-NQ/TW dated May 5, 2022, of the Politburo on the direction and tasks of developing Hanoi Capital by 2030, with a vision to 2045: Building Hanoi into a globally connected city, with international competitiveness and a center of regional innovation; Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW dated March 17, 2026, of the Politburo on building and developing Hanoi Capital in the new era: Promoting the advantages of the capital, proactively and actively participating in deep international integration and supporting the country's foreign affairs activities; proactively informing, promoting foreign affairs, promoting the image of the capital; promoting the role of the overseas Vietnamese community; Resolution of the 18th Party Congress of Hanoi City: The goal by 2030, Hanoi has a development level on par with the capitals of developed countries in the region - vision to 2045, Hanoi Capital is a globally connected city.
To realize these goals, foreign affairs must truly become one of the important driving forces for development, contributing to expanding development space, effectively mobilizing external resources, absorbing advanced knowledge and technology to serve the rapid and sustainable development of the capital.
Hanoi's foreign affairs are and will be strongly innovated in three key task groups:
First, innovate foreign affairs thinking. Deeply grasp the spirit of Resolution No. 06-NQ/TW, Hanoi identifies a strong shift in foreign affairs thinking from "receiving and adapting" to "proactively contributing, creating, and shaping development"; promoting the pioneering role of foreign affairs in mobilizing international resources to serve the strategic development tasks of the capital.
Secondly, identify economic diplomacy and science-technology diplomacy as breakthrough drivers for growth and development model transformation: Hanoi will focus on promoting investment promotion for leading global technology corporations, international financial institutions, multilateral and bilateral investment funds, innovation centers, globally reputable universities, and research institutes; at the same time, build long-term cooperation mechanisms with a network of experts, intellectuals, Vietnamese scientists abroad, and international scientists to directly serve the capital's development goals.
The City will proactively form regular connection platforms between the government, businesses, academia, and international organizations; build thematic cooperation forums on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital technology, biotechnology, green energy transition, and innovation; thereby making Hanoi an attractive destination for global investment, knowledge, and technology flows.
Foreign affairs in the field of science-technology need to proactively pave the way, promote research cooperation, technology transfer, attract international talents, seek advanced solutions to effectively address Hanoi's urban development challenges such as traffic, environment, climate change, and improve the quality of life for residents.
Thirdly, shape the capital's foreign affairs in close connection with national foreign affairs, promoting the pioneering role of urban diplomacy:
The capital's foreign affairs not only serve the development needs of Hanoi alone but also contribute to concretizing and effectively supporting the Party and State's foreign policy. With the position as the national political-administrative centre, all foreign affairs activities of Hanoi must be closely linked with national interests, while contributing to enhancing Vietnam's image, prestige, and international position.
Hanoi will continue to enhance effective coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and central ministries and branches; substantively implement the Coordination Regulation between the Party Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Hanoi Party Committee for the period 2026 - 2030; proactively participate in regional and international cooperation mechanisms; promote the role of urban diplomacy, gradually making Hanoi a regional influential international connection centre in Southeast Asia.
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| The capital's foreign affairs will achieve new achievements, making worthy contributions to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland in the new era. (Photo: Viet Thanh) |
Foreign Affairs become a development driver in the new era
Entering the new development era of the country, what expectations does Hanoi have for the role of foreign affairs in expanding development space, mobilizing and connecting international resources, thereby contributing to achieving the capital's development goals and together with the country realizing the goals by 2030, with a vision to 2045, comrade?
Enhancing local external affairs according to the spirit of the 14th National Party Congress and Resolution No. 06-NQ/TW is not only a requirement of the international integration process but also a strategic task to expand development space, enhance competitiveness, and affirm the country's position in the new development phase.
For Hanoi, this is both a special political responsibility and an opportunity for the capital to promote its pioneering role, leading in the comprehensive international integration of the whole country. Foreign affairs in the new era become a direct development driver for the capital.
Firstly, expand development space economically through foreign cooperation. Hanoi expects to access the most modern urban governance models in the world, thereby researching, proposing outstanding mechanisms and policies (especially maximizing the Capital Law of 2026). Foreign affairs will pave the way for Hanoi businesses to reach the global market, while making Hanoi an important link in the global value and supply chain.
Secondly, mobilize the dual resources of "knowledge and finance". Hanoi expects foreign affairs to effectively solve the resource problem for strategic infrastructure projects (urban railways, satellite cities, Red River space axis, environmental treatment...). More important than financial capital is attracting high-quality intellectual resources from leading scientists, international experts, and overseas Vietnamese for Hanoi.
Thirdly, spread the soft power and aspiration of Vietnam. Hanoi expects each foreign affairs activity not only to increase the capital's prestige but also to fully express the aspiration for a strong, peaceful, creative, and deeply integrated Vietnam.
To realize the goals by 2030 (becoming a civilized, modern city, a major regional centre) and the vision to 2045 (becoming a globally connected city, high income), the Party Committee, government, and people of Hanoi are determined to promote the spirit of proactivity, innovation, creativity, elevating foreign affairs to a new height.
Hanoi always opens its arms to welcome international friends and partners to cooperate, invest, and share the journey of prosperous development. With the close leadership of the Central Government, effective coordination of ministries, departments, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with the determination of the entire political system, we firmly believe that the capital's foreign affairs will achieve new achievements, making worthy contributions to the cause of building and safeguarding the Fatherland in the new development era.
Thank you very much!
