Vietnam"s foreign affairs tasks in 2021

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh

2021 will be the first year of implementing resolutions of the 13th National Party Congress, the 5-year Socio-Economic Development Plan, and the 10-year Socio-Economic Development Strategy, creating a foundation for realizing aspirations for development and elevating Vietnam’s international status.

Foreign policy of 13th National Party Congress

The central task of the Vietnamese diplomacy in 2021 will be to implement the foreign policy set out by the just-concluded 13th National Party Congress, continue in-depth integration into the world, deepen relations with other countries, defend Vietnam’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, promote peace, mobilize resources for national development, and elevate Vietnam’s status globally.

During the COVID-19 pandemic which has profoundly impacted all aspects of life around the world, Vietnam's foreign policy has aimed to meet challenges, take advantage of opportunities and develop external resources in order to make Vietnam a developing middle-income country with modern industry by 2025, a developing high-middle income country with modern industry by 2030, and a developed high-income country by 2045.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu (Photo: World &Vietnam)

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu said, “To do this, three things need to be done diplomatically: First, deepen relationships between Vietnam and its strategic and comprehensive partners. More attention should be paid to promoting economic cooperation, science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, education, and training. Second, coordinate defense and security and the external channels of the Party, State and people. We need solid cooperation to protect our interests, deal with threats to national security, and meet traditional and non-traditional security challenges.”

Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong noted that "Never before has Vietnam's stature in the international arena been as high as it is today." In 2021, Vietnam will continue to promote multilateral diplomacy, be an active and responsible member of the international community, and jointly and effectively handle shared challenges.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh pointed out that “Vietnam continues its proactive integration through activities at the UN Security Council. In ASEAN, we must promote the achievements attained during Vietnam’s ASEAN chairmanship and maintain ASEAN’s development momentum and 2020 initiatives. Vietnam has joined or signed free trade agreements and will continue to have free trade deals ratified. Opportunities created by these deals must be seized. The most important tasks are maintaining a peaceful, stable environment, preserving national independence, and protecting Vietnam’s sovereignty over its sea and islands.”

The Political Report of Vietnam’s 13th National Party Congress applauded Vietnam’s remarkable diplomatic achievements. In 2020, a challenging year, Vietnam assumed the dual role of ASEAN Chair and non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, cooperation between Vietnam and other countries was maintained and developed, with several new FTAs being signed or taking effect. It seems the more challenges Vietnam faces, the more brightly it shines. Vietnam can be proud of its progress in national development and international integration.