Second Conference of Honorary Consuls of Vietnam held in Quang Ninh

The conference was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang, Vietnamese Ambassadors abroad, Vietnamese Honorary Consuls worldwide, along with nearly 100 delegates representing ministries, departments, localities, businesses, and associations.

The conference aimed to summarize and evaluate the activities of the Vietnamese Honorary Consul system abroad over the past period; exchange experiences, propose solutions to continue promoting the role of Honorary Consuls in consular work, citizen protection, while also promoting economic, trade, and investment cooperation, connecting localities and businesses, and promoting Vietnam's image to the world.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang emphasized the role of the Honorary Consul network as “pioneering bridges” in promoting cooperation between Vietnam and international partners. (Photo: Trung Anh)

In her opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang emphasized that the conference was organized in the context of the nation entering a new development phase following the 14th National Party Congress, ahead of the 33rd Diplomatic Conference and the 22nd National Conference on Local External Affairs .

The Deputy Minister highly appreciated the positive contributions of the Vietnamese Honorary Consul network abroad in supporting Vietnamese people overseas, especially during challenging periods like the COVID-19 pandemic and in conflict hotspots; she also affirmed the increasingly important role of Honorary Consuls in promoting cooperative relations between Vietnam and other countries and localities.

In this context, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang directed the conference to focus on three main content groups, including (1) evaluating practices, sharing experiences, and proposing solutions to enhance the effectiveness of the Honorary Consul system; (2) updating major orientations in Vietnam's foreign policy so that Honorary Consuls can continue to accompany the country's integration and development process; (3) strengthening connections, promoting economic, trade, and investment cooperation, promoting the country's image, and attracting resources for development.

Vice Chairman of the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee of Le Van Anh affirmed the desire to strengthen connections and expand cooperation between Quang Ninh and international partners through the Honorary Consul network. (Photo: Trung Anh)

In his welcoming speech, Vice Chairman of the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee of Le Van Anh introduced the potentials, advantages, and development orientations of the locality, while expressing the desire for Honorary Consuls to continue being a bridge to promote cooperation, attract investment in high-tech fields, logistics, seaports, as well as promote Quang Ninh tourism to international friends.

Director General of the Consular Department Doan Hoang Minh discussed with Honorary Consuls about directions to enhance the network's effectiveness in the new phase. (Photo: Trung Anh)

During the two working sessions of the conference, delegates focused on discussing two main content groups regarding consular work, citizen protection, and economic, trade, and investment cooperation, connecting localities and businesses.

Presentations and speeches by Vietnamese Ambassadors abroad, representatives of ministries, sectors, Vietnamese businesses, and Honorary Consuls also shared many practical experiences on enhancing the effectiveness of the Honorary Consul system; supporting citizens in areas without Vietnamese Representative Missions; strengthening connections between Honorary Consuls and localities, businesses; promoting exports, attracting high-quality investment, developing human resources, and promoting Vietnam's image and tourism.

Mr. Philipp Rosler, Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Zug (Switzerland), former Vice Chancellor of Germany, delivered a presentation at the conference. (Photo: Trung Anh)

The delegates unanimously agreed that, as Vietnam enters a new development phase, the Vietnamese Honorary Consul network abroad needs to continue to play its role as a reliable bridge between Vietnam and international partners, contributing positively to citizen protection, supporting the Vietnamese community abroad, while also promoting economic, trade, investment, science and technology, culture, and tourism cooperation, making practical contributions to the nation's development.

At the closing session, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang, on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, awarded the Commemorative Medal “For the Cause of Vietnam's Diplomacy”, the Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Letter of Commendation from the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs to Honorary Consuls who have made significant contributions to foreign affairs and the development of the Vietnamese Honorary Consul network abroad in recent times.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang awarded the Commemorative Medal “For the Cause of Vietnam's Diplomacy” to Honorary Consuls who have made significant contributions in promoting foreign relations and supporting Vietnam's consular work. (Photo: Trung Anh)

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang awarded the Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Honorary Consuls with outstanding achievements in foreign affairs, contributing to strengthening cooperation between Vietnam and international partners. (Photo: Trung Anh)

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang awarded the Letter of Commendation from the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs to Honorary Consuls. (Photo: Trung Anh)