Strongly Innovating Economic Diplomacy

On the evening of January 10, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a virtual conference with Ambassadors and Heads of Vietnamese Representative Agencies abroad to review economic diplomacy in 2025 and deploy tasks for 2026.

The conference was held online, connecting with ministries, sectors, and localities nationwide. At the Phu Tho broadcasting point, Mr. Quach Tat Liem – Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, presided over the session, joined by leaders of various departments and sectors.

Vice Chairman Quach Tat Liem and delegates attending the conference at the Phu Tho broadcasting point.

In 2025, economic diplomacy was implemented synchronously and substantively, achieving many positive results. These efforts contributed to maintaining macroeconomic stability, promoting growth, expanding export markets, attracting foreign investment, and supporting businesses in international integration. Economic diplomacy activities closely followed the development priorities of the country and each locality, aligning with the goals of rapid and sustainable development.

Vietnam upgraded relations with 17 countries and signed 350 cooperation agreements, 2.5 times higher than in 2024. The country maintained and consolidated leading export and investment markets while creating breakthroughs in potential new markets such as Latin America, the Middle East - Africa, Central Asia, and Central-Eastern Europe. Consequently, Vietnam is now among the top 15 largest trading nations in the world, with total import-export turnover expected to exceed 900 billion USD.

In his concluding remarks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that economic diplomacy continues to be one of the vital pillars of Vietnam’s diplomacy, playing a practical role in mobilizing external resources for national development.

The Prime Minister commended the results achieved in 2025, particularly the proactive partnership between Vietnamese representative agencies abroad, local authorities, and the business community.

Moving into 2026, amidst a fast-evolving and unpredictable global economy, the Prime Minister emphasized that economic diplomacy needs stronger innovation. He stressed that citizens, businesses, and localities must be the center of service. Investment, trade, and tourism promotion should be intensified in a focused, substantive, and effective manner.

The Prime Minister requested ministries, sectors, and localities to enhance close coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representative agencies abroad. They must proactively provide information on cooperation needs and lists of projects calling for investment to allow representative agencies to function effectively as connectors. Simultaneously, the country must continue to exploit new-generation Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), expand export markets, and support businesses in participating deeper into global value chains.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister noted that economic diplomacy must be linked with sustainable development goals, green transition, digital transformation, and innovation. Focus should be placed on attracting selective, high-quality, and environmentally friendly investment tailored to the development orientation of each locality.

Tran Tuan