Vietnam’s constitution endorses a foreign policy that pursues “openness and peace” and “international integration” thereby contributing to the development of humanity. It also encourages the State to embrace “progressive values” from other nations. These principles, beliefs and practices have guided Vietnam’s foreign policy and shaped it’s relation with other countries as well as international-regional organizations thus enabling it to play a vital role in global politics, international economy, and development. Furthermore, the 2013 Constitution has provided Vietnam’s foreign policy the “legal character” wherein the emphasis is on projecting the country as “a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community,” and “contributing to peace, national independence, democracy and social justice in the world”.

Earlier this year on 24 January 2025, the Vietnamese Politburo adopted Resolution 59-NQ/TW which has been dubbed as a “breakthrough decision” and labelled as “historic turning point” in the country's incorporation with international integration. Resolution 59 relates to “international integration in the new situation” and highlights Vietnam’s approach to the contemporary and future international system and the comity of nations.

General Secretary To Lam, in his statement on the need to implement Resolution 59, has called on the Party, the Army and the People to participate and contribute to the “international integration process in the new era”. Expounding on the “New Era”, To Lam observed that Vietnam’s idea of international integration envisions “wealthy people, strong nation, democratic, equitable, and civilized society” which requires “new mindset, position, and approach”.

It needs to be borne in mind that Vietnam’s visualization of ‘international integration’ is not limited to just foreign policy; it transcends global geo-politics, geo-strategic, geo-economics and geo-technology. It also embeds soft power including culture which makes the Vietnamese people important stakeholders.

In the above context, General Secretary To Lam has emphasised on “strengthening strategic partnerships, comprehensive partnerships, enhancing political trust, maintaining independence, sovereignty and a peaceful and stable environment”. 

As far as geoeconomics is concerned, General Secretary To Lam expects Vietnam’s economy to pursue “integration associated with building an independent, self-reliant, modern economy; developing digital economy, green economy, circular economy; enhancing competitiveness based on science, technology and innovation”. At another level, Resolution 59 prioritizes science and technology, education, health care and environment by “taking advantage of integration to improve national level, develop high-quality human resources and deeply integrate into the global value chain”.

Over the years, Vietnam has become more engaged in the international community and enjoys diplomatic relations with 194 countries across the globe. It has established robust partnerships at three levels i.e. 12 Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships (CSP); 9 Strategic Partnerships (SPs), and 14 Comprehensive Partnerships (CP) that are geographically spread across continents. These feature multiple dialogues and exchanges in diverse domains such as political, defence, and security, and other non-traditional security threats and challenges such as climate change, epidemics, etc.

Economically, Vietnam has signed 17 free trade agreements (FTA) and engages with over 60 key economies which enable international economic cooperation agreements and linkages with global production and supply chains. These are considered essential for fructifying international integration under Resolution 59 and can be called as a “strategic necessity” for Vietnam’s economic development.

Vietnamese leaders believe that the CSPs, SPs, CPs, and FTAs are the pathways for global integration wherein the country can diversify partners and reduce dependence on any single country. As far as trade diplomacy is concerned, Vietnam’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) are noteworthy. These can propel Vietnam into the “New Era” wherein the country can leverage cooperation at different levels (bilateral and multilateral) on diverse issues (national security; defense cooperation; economic development; trade and investment; law enforcement); as well as enhance soft power through education, science and technology cooperation and cultural exchange.

At another level, Vietnam’s contribution/commitment to three UN peacekeeping missions (UNMISS (South Sudan), UNISFA (Abyei) and MINUSCA (Central African Republic)) , climate commitments to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 (232/QD-TTg), and supporting Global South nations to “build an effective, inclusive and sustainable global governance system” positions the country in the league of “responsible nations”.

Resolution 59 also acknowledges the CPV as the political entity of Vietnam with whom the international system must engage economically, diplomatically, strategically, technologically and culturally.

Today Vietnam is thriving at the global as well as regional level showcased by its engagements in the United Nations and other international as well as regional groupings in the domains of politics, security, economy, financial system, environment and ecology. It is believed that Resolution 59 will propel Vietnam into a new era.

Dr. Vijay Sakhuja is Professor and Head, Center of Excellence for Geopolitics and International Studies (CEGIS), REVA University, Bengaluru and is associated with Kalinga International Foundation, New Delhi.