Promote external benefits arising from internal forces.

In a context of global fluctuations, this approach allows Vietnam to expand its development space, closely integrate its external relations into its socio-economic development, take full advantage of free trade agreements (FTAs), attract quality foreign direct investments (FDI) and facilitate technology transfers. At the same time, it harmonizes infrastructure, logistics, supply chain and green finance initiatives; it strengthens Vietnam’s position in the global value chain; and it proactively creates a peaceful and stable environment allowing the country to focus on strengthening its national resources and responding to competition from great powers.

This lays the foundation for sustainable growth, helping to realize development aspirations, achieve the strategic objectives set by the 14th National Congress and lead the country steadily towards an era of national progress.

In reality, the potential for harnessing resources from international integration, economic diplomacy, science and technology diplomacy and new generation free trade agreements remains considerable. However, according to Ms. Dung, the transformation of external benefits into concrete resources for socio-economic development has not lived up to expectations, due to low technological absorption capacity. Although Vietnam attracts a lot of foreign direct investment (FDI), this is mainly concentrated in the labor-intensive assembly and processing sectors, and the rate of transfer of key technologies as well as the integration of domestic companies into global supply chains remains low.

Furthermore, the use of free trade agreements (FTAs) has proven to be ineffective, with exports mainly consisting of processed products and raw materials. Compliance with rules of origin, environmental standards (CBAM, anti-deforestation regulations) and trade defense measures in new generation FTAs ​​remains a challenge; infrastructure and human resources are lacking: logistics costs are high and the digital infrastructure is not yet fully operational. Highly qualified human resources in the semiconductor, artificial intelligence and green technology sectors do not yet meet the demands of major investors.

In her analysis of the causes, Ms. Dung argued that the internal capabilities of Vietnamese companies are weak, most of them being SMEs, lacking capital, equipped with obsolete technologies and not conducting proactive market research. Inter-sectoral coordination is insufficient, with a lack of effective link between diplomacy (identification of opportunities) and ministries, local authorities and businesses (implementation). Institutional reforms are progressing slowly: administrative procedures remain cumbersome and the transposition of international commitments into the national context is sometimes inconsistent.

So that external relations do not just pave the way, but truly become an engine of development, Ms. Thai Quynh Mai Dung stressed that it is essential to play a pioneering role in maintaining a peaceful and stable environment and in creating an international situation favorable to the country. External relations must also become a driving force for opening new development prospects, closely linked to the process of socio-economic development, thus contributing to attracting resources and favorable conditions from outside for rapid and sustainable development.

Furthermore, we must actively participate and contribute responsibly to solving common problems of the international community; strengthen our role and position in multilateral mechanisms; leverage our cultural influence, elevating our national standing to the height of our historical significance and national identity; and build a global, modern and professional diplomacy, up to the strategic challenges of the new era.

According to Dr. Dao Ngoc Bau, director of the Institute of Politics and International Relations (Ha Chi Minh National Academy of Politics), expanding diplomatic relations is not about “making more friends” in general, but about attracting quality capital, stable markets and opportunities to participate more deep into supply chains, directly linked to specific industries, regions and key projects.

Dr. Dao Ngoc Bau emphasized that science and technology diplomacy must open channels of cooperation in research, innovation and technology transfer in key areas such as digital economy, artificial intelligence and clean energy, thereby transforming “relationships” into concrete technological capabilities and in quality human resources for Vietnam.

According to Dr Bau, when it comes to international integration, it is not just about increasing participations and agreements, but rather about effectively implementing national development priorities. Each integration commitment must be designed and implemented in a way that create more room for political and commercial maneuver, and to stimulate innovation for businesses and local communities, rather than focusing only on diplomatic aspects.

Dr. Dao Ngoc Bau said that, to modernize Vietnamese diplomacy in the new context, three priority areas of development must be prioritized. First, it is necessary to innovate in terms of organization and work mechanisms. A truly unified and integrated foreign affairs coordination mechanism must be put in place, from central to local level, to ensure that the voice of foreign affairs is heard right from the strategic planning, policy development and implementation phases. development.

The current need is for a team of diplomats with strong political convictions, mastery of foreign languages, international law and practices, and in-depth knowledge of the economy, science and technology, culture and society. To achieve this, it is necessary to innovate in the selection, training, development, mobility and evaluation processes, by closely associating job title criteria with the skills required in a complex international environment. At the same time, more flexible mechanisms and methods must be implemented in order to attract highly qualified profiles from research institutes, universities and companies to foreign affairs.

Furthermore, modern diplomacy is inseparable from the use of big data, analytical tools and digital platforms for the collection and processing of information, the development of scenarios and advice on public policies. It is essential to invest in the creation of analysis and forecasting centers, and to forge close links between ministries of Foreign Affairs and networks of national and international researchers and experts. At the same time, foreign affairs officials must acquire the skills necessary to operate in a digital environment and be more proactive in the face of new challenges such as social media, disinformation and cyber security.

It is clear that Resolution No. 06-NQ/TW not only establishes the requirement to promote the pioneering role of foreign affairs in protecting the Motherland from the beginning and from a distance, but also opens a new development perspective: foreign affairs Foreign companies must contribute directly to creating a dynamic of growth.

However, for the benefits of international integration to translate into resources, it is essential not only to develop external relations, but also to strengthen the endogenous capacities of the economy. External resources can only be used effectively if they are accompanied by the capacity for technological assimilation, qualified human resources, modern infrastructure and a transparent institutional environment.

In other words, in this new era of development, foreign policy’s mission is not only to “prepare the ground”, but also to contribute to “leading the way” to growth. However, for this path to achieve its goal, the determining factor remains the internal vigor of the economy and its capacity to transform the advantages of integration into national competitiveness.