PhD. Nguyen Ngoc Truong
Vietnamese Ambassador to Sweden and Finland

The renovation process initiated and led by our Party from the mid-1980s onwards has broken down the old mechanism, promoted creativeness, enhanced internal resources to address socio-economic issues and to participate in economic association and international integration.

This period has also been to witness deep and far reaching changes in internationally. Since the mid-1980s, major countries adjusted their policies, and negotiated with each other to resolve regional conflicts, including Indochinese countries. The cold war ended in the early 1990s with the collapse of Socialist regimes in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. The world two-polar state vanished before the establishment of the new world order while international political and economic relations continued to diversify. Science and technology strongly developed. Regional and global economic associations became popular. East Asia developed into a global hotbed of economic development with the emergence of newly industrialized countries. By the end of the 20^th Century and early this Century, China had emerged as a powerful global economy and a new power centre in the region.

Facing changes in the international arena, Vietnamese foreign policy has been substantially adjusted to serve key issues in its foreign relationships to foster a stable situation and favorable international conditions for the renovation process, national construction and defense.

From 1986 to 1991, Vietnamese diplomacy actively participated in international dialogues to seek political solution for the Cambodia issue, and enhanced negotiations on normalization of relations with regional countries and major world powers. With regard to external economic aspect, Vietnam and other member countries of the Council of Mutually Economic Assistance (CMEA) adjusted their cooperative mechanism to conduct trading activities on the basis of convertible currencies and international prices.

After signing international agreement on Cambodia in October 1991, Vietnamese diplomacy was keen and decisive and helped defrost relationships with regional and major countries and ended the international embargo against Vietnam. Hurdles on the international integration process were removed and the road became clear.

By the end of 1995, Vietnam had attained many achievements in its foreign relations. Early that year, Vietnam and the United States opened diplomatic missions at their two capitals. In July, Vietnam and the United States normalized bilateral relations and established diplomatic relationship. Vietnam and the European Union signed a cooperative agreement. Also in 1995, Vietnam joined ASEAN. Vietnam and China negotiated on border and territorial issues which led to the signing of the historical agreements on fixing their land borders and on the Gulf of Tonkin respectively in 1999 and 2000.

The expansion of foreign relations has increased the prestige and position of Vietnam in the international arena and created a favorable international environment for the national construction and defense. The mid-term Party Congress in January 1994 (VII Tenure) considered the progress in foreign relations as one of three achievements of the renovation process.

The theoretical basis for the renovation in domestic aspects was formed through renovating thinking about the mechanism and reviewing practical experiences. In the external aspect, new perceptions were also a result of the renovation process. Resolutions of the Party issued in different periods clarified a number of new points of view on the era, situation, and destiny of the country, partners. They also formed national guidelines on international issues and foreign policies.

Foreign activities learnt lessons drawn from the national liberalization struggle and the construction of socialism, the principle of combining national strength with the strength of the era, independence, self-reliance, self-control, and the expansion of international cooperation. This brought into full play the strength of the great national unity, as did cooperating with neighboring countries and properly dealing with major countries. Diplomacy in the international integration period has applied Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, his diplomatic method and style in making decisions and conducting foreign activities, especially in relation to neighboring and major countries. Vietnamese diplomacy also inherited historical experiences of traditional geographical politics, mythology in making decision and behavior of our ancestors.

Throughout its history, the Vietnamese revolution has always incorporated the progressive trends of mankind. One of the factors leading to its success was the combination of national strength with the strength of the era. Applying this principle in the period of globalization and international integration, the Party Congress (IX Tenure) and the 8^th plenum meeting of the Central Committee of the Communist Party (IX Tenure) continued to emphasize the use of initiative in international integration according to the principle of making a good use of internal resources and improving the efficiency of international cooperation. The Party Congress and Central Committee also reaffirmed the principle that Vietnam is always ready to be a friend and trustworthy partner to all countries in the international community.

Thanks to the spirit of self-reliance, renovation and the enhancement of internal resources, the Vietnamese economy has been linked to other East Asia economies and integrated into the global economy. International economic association and integration, in turn, intensified the renovation of the domestic mechanism and the formation of economic institutions, the legal system and appropriate practices. The enhancement of internal resources and the exploitation of external sources have closely interacted.

Sustainable international cooperation is always based on mutual benefit. The reality of international cooperation in recent years showed that nations should not expect external assistance to be provided in the old way. If a country wishes to pursue effective international cooperation, it should bring its internal capacity into full play. This is the core principle of Ho Chi Minh ideology: "If one wishes help from others, one should help oneself first". These days, international cooperation chiefly aims at attracting foreign direct investment and making a good use of preferential commercial treatments given to developing countries, actively participating in international integration, market linkage and international labor division, as well as global economic institutions. Some politicians in countries where the "Color revolution" have happened, still have a great hopes of foreign assistance, but an ambassador of a major country advised them to learn how to be responsible for themselves. In some regions of Africa, after many years of drought and a powerless political system, appeals for assistance were given little attention by the international community which responded slowly. Some countries in these regions are suffering famine and the outbreak of disease. Some Western governments stated that development assistance itself cannot reduce poverty. They prefer giving official development assistance to countries using effectively and responsibly provided assistance. In other word, they only want to help countries that can help themselves.

As the trend of reform with different political tendencies continued around the world, some countries have succeeded while some other nations have suffered bitter failure and faced continuous political conflict. In Vietnam’s renovation process, the association of national independence with socialism has been a driving force for development. The persistence in pursuing development objectives and strategy, great efforts rendered to the renewal of mechanism and modernization of the country have contributed to important socio-economic achievements attained over the past 15 years of openness and renovation. Compared to other countries in the same situation, Vietnam is speeding ahead with a higher growth rate.

A nation wishing to have a favorable reform environment should maintain a good relationship with neighboring countries. "Internally stable and externally amicable" are, at the same time, objective and necessary conditions for development. Vietnamese diplomacy inherits the spirit of harmony which was highlighted by Tran Hung Dao. He wrote: "Harmony is indispensable and excellent policy in governing the country and conducting military operation. When harmony is maintained inside the country, troops are rarely used; when harmony is pursued with other countries, alarm signal will not be used".

In the renovation process, Vietnam has actively addressed pending issues with neighboring countries to find common interests for all concerned. Programs of economic cooperation have been established and expanded while due attention has been given to improving the effectiveness of the cooperation effectiveness. Cooperation has been carried out at various levels both in bilateral and multilateral dimensions: with neighboring countries, with ASEAN countries, with East Asian countries, with Asia-Pacific countries and the country members of Asia-Europe Forum. Such cooperation has created a favorable environment and expanded markets for Vietnam.

In modern history, Indochina is the area where most superpowers have been involved and directly engaged in. Due to its geopolitical position, relations with superpowers have always played an important role in Vietnam’s foreign affairs since 1945. Superpowers’ policies impact both directly on Vietnam and indirectly through their relationships with Vietnam’s neighboring countries. Nowadays, despite changes in global political and in the balance of power between superpowers, the nature of political regimes in superpower countries remains intact. The impact of superpowers on neighboring countries and Vietnam is a matter of rule. The behavior of Vietnam in recent years has proved appropriate and suitable.

In the years to come, the strong growth of Asian economies and the enhancement of market linkages in this region will continue attracting economic, financial resources, science and technology from around the world. The balance of power and political-security situation also continues to evolve. The environment in Eastern Asia has created golden opportunities for the development of countries in the region, but it has also accumulated many potential uncertainties and risks. In the globalization period, challenges always associate with opportunities across the world,. When one participates in the globalization game, no exception is given with regard to challenges arising, regardless how strong economically a country is. Every country should adapt to changing environment, and constantly renovate policies and economic structure. The development of Asian countries in the years to come largely depends deepening regional economic linkages and diversifying economic cooperation with outside nations to ensure balanced and sustainable growth.

Our Party and State guidelines on international affairs and foreign policies relying on the principle of national independence, self-control have transformed our international relationships, enhanced our country’s position and greatly contributed to the global struggle for peace, independence, democracy and social progress. This also lays the foundation for long-term international relations. With expanded and diversified international relations, diplomats working during a time when Vietnam wants to be friend of all countries have a favorable environment to perform their tasks. In the early years of the 21^st Century, Vietnamese diplomats have joined with civil servants working in other branches to actively contribute to the economic development of our country, and deepen our international relationships with other nations.

The practical experiences in the international arena have proved the measurability and sensibleness of Vietnamese diplomacy in the international landscape, and its prudence and balance in multilateral relationships. To be friend of all countries is now not only the principle but also the substance of Vietnam’s diplomatic activities.

Diplomacy reflects the true power of a nation. The appearance of diplomacy is the appearance of a nation. President Ho Chi Minh said, "The true power is the gong, while diplomacy is the sound. The bigger the gong, the bigger the sound"⁽³⁾. A strong nation produces an equally strong diplomatic message. In addition, a growing economy, a great domestic market, a competitive economic environment, and abundant human resources are the building blocks of a nation.

True power has comprehensive contents, including cultural and spiritual values. International friends appreciate a Vietnamese nation that was heroic in the war and has had success achievements in building the country. The Vietnamese people is highly regarded: they are optimistic, forward looking, friendly and open. Vietnamese people, however, need to respect matters of principle, planning and practicalness; foster a commitment to environment protection, anti-corruption, and transparency and drive away the remnants of small-scale agricultural production and the State-subsidized mechanism.

In all countries, social transformation is difficult. Over the past 20 years of renovation, our country has made great leaps forward and our prestige has been heightened in the international arena. A pressing issue now is that the pace and intensity of reforms are not quick and strong enough in relation to mismatch of mechanism and socio-economic problems, and a world full of complex changes. To successfully build a socialist country with a rich people, a strong country, and a democratic, equitable and civilized society, we should implement key programs, including administration reform, judicial system reform, education reform, and strongly struggle against corruption in order to achieve measurable outcomes by 2010. 2010 is an important point in time for the development and integration of our country. Only by doing this, will we be able to lay a foundation for the achievement of long-term objectives for 2020 set forth by our Party Congress (IX Tenure).

Each nation has chosen its development path based on its historical characteristics, national culture and the reality of daily life, as well as the progressive trends in humanity. We are not trying to produce a development model for ourselves. But if we persistently pursue our ideal and concrete objectives of the renovation process, our development may be a source of experience for other countries that are seeking a proper way to develop.

Source: Communist Review, No.104-2006