New directions for Vietnam's Honorary Consular network abroad

Director General of the Consular Department Doan Hoang Minh moderates a discussion session at the second Conference of Honorary Consuls of Vietnam, exchanging views with Honorary Consuls on enhancing the effectiveness of the network in the new development phase. (Photo: Trung Anh)

On the sidelines of the second Conference of Honorary Consuls of Vietnam, The World & Vietnam Report spoke with Mr. Doan Hoang Minh, Director General of the Consular Department (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), about the outstanding achievements of the Vietnamese Honorary Consular network abroad and the development directions for the system in the new phase.

Director General of the Consular Department Doan Hoang Minh coordinates a discussion session at the Conference. (Photo: Trung Anh)

Director General, what have been the most notable achievements of Vietnam’s Honorary Consular network in recent years? What role has the Consular Department played in managing, guiding and supporting the network?

Vietnam currently has 48 Honorary Consuls serving in countries across multiple continents. Over the years, they have worked effectively alongside Vietnam’s diplomatic missions and career consular offices abroad, making meaningful contributions to fulfilling the tasks entrusted by the State.

One of the network’s most significant contributions has been in consular protection. Amid increasingly complex regional and global developments, including multiple conflict hotspots, Honorary Consuls have actively coordinated with Vietnamese representative missions to assist citizens in reaching safety while safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests.

Beyond citizen protection, Honorary Consuls have also strengthened their role as trusted interlocutors with local authorities and partners, helping advance cooperation in trade, investment and economic affairs while promoting Vietnam’s image, culture and people internationally.

Within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Consular Department serves as the focal agency responsible for overseeing Vietnam’s Honorary Consular network abroad. It has advised the Ministry’s leadership on expanding the network, while ensuring the effective nomination, appointment and reappointment of Honorary Consuls. At the same time, the Department has continued refining relevant mechanisms and policies to facilitate their work and strengthen their ties with Vietnam.

A notable recent development has been Vietnam’s introduction of special long-term visa exemption cards for Honorary Consuls. The policy enables them to visit Vietnam more frequently, deepen engagement with local authorities and businesses, and perform their duties more effectively.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has continued to recognize and commend Honorary Consuls with outstanding achievements through appropriate forms of recognition, encouraging them to further contribute to Vietnam’s consular work and international partnerships.

Director General of the Consular Department Doan Hoang Minh affirms that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to improve mechanisms and policies to facilitate and enhance the effectiveness of the Honorary Consuls' roles. (Photo: Trung Anh)

As the country enters a new development phase, could you share the key directions to continue developing the Vietnamese Honorary Consular network abroad, as well as the new requirements for this work in the coming time?

The current context presents new demands for Vietnam’s foreign affairs in general and Honorary Consular work in particular. This year marks the beginning of implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, alongside a series of major resolutions adopted by the Party Central Committee and the Politburo on economic development, foreign investment attraction, cultural development, innovation, and science and technology.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also convene the 33rd Diplomatic Conference to implement the country’s strategic development goals and foreign policy priorities.

Against this backdrop, Honorary Consuls will continue to serve as an important force supporting Vietnam’s development and international integration efforts.

Looking ahead, our first priority is to continue expanding the Honorary Consular network by identifying reputable, dedicated and capable candidates who can support the Vietnamese Government in carrying out consular work more effectively overseas.

Alongside expanding the network, improving its operational effectiveness will be equally important to meet the increasingly demanding requirements of Vietnam’s new development phase. This will require Honorary Consuls to continue performing their consular functions with professionalism and dedication. At the same time, Vietnam’s representative missions abroad, ministries, sectors and local authorities will need to strengthen coordination with Honorary Consuls so that the network can fully leverage its role in consular affairs, promoting international cooperation and contributing to the country’s broader development objectives.

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