Vietnam’s Foreign Policy Since 1978: A Journey of Integration and Development

After 1975, with peace restored throughout Vietnam, the country entered a new era with both opportunities and challenges. Vietnam’s foreign policy since 1978 has demonstrated a flexible and innovative approach, aimed at firmly protecting independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, while maximizing favorable international conditions for socio-economic development and gradual international integration.

Vietnam joining the WTO

1978-1986: Overcoming Challenges, Protecting the Nation

During this period, Vietnam faced numerous difficulties due to the aftermath of the war, while the global situation underwent complex changes. Vietnam’s foreign policy focused on several key tasks:

• Maintaining a peaceful and stable environment: Vietnam persistently pursued diplomatic efforts to abolish the embargo imposed by the US and Western countries.
• Building friendly and cooperative relations with socialist countries: Vietnam strengthened economic, political, and military cooperation with the Soviet Union and countries within the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (COMECON).
• Supporting national liberation movements: Vietnam continued to assist Laos and Cambodia in their national construction and defense.

1986-2000: Renovation, Openness, and Integration

Along with the comprehensive Doi Moi (Renovation) process, Vietnam’s foreign policy underwent significant transformations, becoming more flexible and proactive, aiming towards:

• Normalizing relations with countries: Vietnam actively normalized relations with China, the US, and Western countries.
• Expanding multilateral foreign relations: Vietnam officially joined ASEAN in 1995 and participated in other important international organizations such as the WTO, APEC, and ASEM.
• Attracting foreign investment and promoting economic development: Vietnam signed numerous bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements, creating favorable conditions for import-export activities and attracting foreign investment.

2000-Present: Elevating Foreign Relations, Asserting Vietnam’s Position

In the context of globalization and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Vietnam’s foreign policy continues to be adjusted and supplemented, reflected in the following highlights:

• Enhancing the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation: Vietnam continuously strengthens and develops relations with neighboring countries and key partners worldwide based on respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests.
• Proactively and actively engaging in comprehensive and deep international integration: Vietnam participates more actively, proactively, and responsibly in multilateral, regional, and international cooperation mechanisms.
• Diversifying and multilateralizing foreign relations: Vietnam actively expands and deepens relations with countries and international organizations across various fields.

Conclusion

Vietnam’s foreign policy from 1978 to the present has been a journey of continuous development, with flexible and innovative transformations adapted to each specific historical period. Thanks to its sound foreign policy, Vietnam has achieved significant accomplishments, contributing significantly to the cause of national construction and defense.

Would you like to learn more about China’s historical foreign policy in the 9th century or Vietnam’s foreign policy in the 1970s?

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