Define the direction of foreign policy in this new phase.

On the afternoon of June 10, in He Chi Minh City, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized the 2026 Conference of Heads of Local Foreign Affairs Agencies, summarizing and exchanging views on the future directions to promote foreign business activities at the local level, thereby contributing to the development of a comprehensive, modern, proactive, creative and effective foreign policy within the framework of national construction and development.

In his opening speech at the conference, Mr. Ngo Le Van, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, stressed that in recent years, the action of local authorities in matters of foreign policy has made an important contribution. The network of friendly relations and international cooperation of local authorities has developed considerably, with the establishment and strengthening of numerous cooperation and twinning agreements.

Many local governments have actively linked foreign affairs to socio-economic development, transforming their external relations into foreign direct investment projects, increased exports, tourism development and cooperation programs in the areas of employment and training. Cultural diplomacy, the promotion of the image of territories and approaches to UNESCO with a view to listing sites as world heritage are being implemented in an increasingly systematic manner.

Recognizing the importance of external relations activities carried out at the local level, Mr. Ngo Le Van affirmed that the concrete experience of integration demonstrates that territories are the direct recipients of global flows of capital, technology and knowledge; this is where the national image takes shape. In other words, the territories are no longer behind, but are becoming the spearhead of integration.

Mr. Bui Minh Thanh, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, said that in the context of the many changes affecting the world and the region, local external relations must more strongly promote the role of mobilizing international resources, expanding development space and the concrete contribution to the development of the country.

The city of He Chi Minh City has always considered foreign affairs as an essential driver of its development; it hopes to continue to benefit from the attention and support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while strengthening its cooperation and sharing its experiences with other local authorities in order to improve the effectiveness of its action in foreign policy, thus contributing to the achievement of national development objectives for the new period.