Dual diplomatic responsibility offers rare opportunity for Vietnam
Vietnam has emerged as one of the fastest growing economies and the shining stars of ASEAN, and dual diplomatic responsibility in 2020 offers rare opportunity for Vietnam, according to an Eurasia Review analysis.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives ASEAN Chairmanship hammer from Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has emerged as one of the fastest growing economies and the shiningstars of ASEAN, and dualdiplomatic responsibility in 2020 offers rare opportunityfor Vietnam, according to an Eurasia Review analysis.
This year,Vietnam faces a densediplomatic schedule, with the chairmanship coinciding with Vietnam’snon-permanent membership of the UN Security Council, Dr. Frederick Kliem fromS.Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) at Singapore-based NanyangTechnological University wrote in an analysis published on the Eurasia Review on February 6.
“This poseslogistical challenges for the country,” he said, “but this dual diplomatic responsibility alsooffers a rare opportunity for Hanoi to present a well-coordinated foreignpolicy and achieve maximum impact.”
“Inparticular, Hanoi should leverage the ASEAN agenda at the global stage at theUN, something previous ASEAN chairs have done with remarkable success,” he added.
He noted that Vietnam may attempt to set newdirections for ASEAN-led mechanisms, including the East Asia Summit (EAS) andthe ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and there will be efforts toadvance cross-sectoral and cross-pillar approaches to better coordinate andtackle emerging security challenges within these forums.
Within theASEAN Economic Community (AEC) pillar, Vietnam will seek to promote specificintra-ASEAN partnerships for sustainable development in order to boostintra-ASEAN trade and investment, and ASEAN sustainability measures, he said.
Under theASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), Hanoi will try to raise ASEAN awarenessby seeking to enhance social security for the most vulnerable ASEAN citizens, topromote cooperation mechanisms to combat fake news, and raise the idea to placethe ASEAN symbol on passports.
GivenVietnam’s increasingly active role on the global stage and within ASEAN, aswell as the challenging regional environment and difficult issues, there willbe much to observe in ASEAN in 2020 and Vietnam is uniquely well placed to moveASEAN forward, he reiterated./.
Cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations (UN) in maintaining international peace and security was debated at a meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) that was held in New York on January 30 under the chair of Vietnam.
The RoK – ASEAN Frontier Forum opened in Busan city, the Republic of Korea (RoK) on January 31, attracting 90 outstanding students from ASEAN member countries and the RoK.
According to the World Health Organisation, nearly 30 countries and territories have reported confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV, including six in Southeast Asia.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Over the past five decades, the Vietnam - Angola relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
President Luong Cuong called on the two countries to join hands to promote South – South cooperation, contribute to building a fair and equal global political and economic order, safeguard independence and sovereignty, and promote extensive and substantive international solidarity and cooperation.
President Luong Cuong called on the community to remain united, integrate well into local society, adhere to local laws, and continue contributing to both Angola’s development and Vietnam – Angola relations.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Angola Carolina Cerqueira agreed to continue strengthening political trust, boost high-level delegation exchanges via all channels, including the parliamentary one, and create favourable legal conditions for bilateral cooperation.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives ASEAN Chairmanship hammer from Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-
