This role has become increasingly evident through the practical outcomes and achievements that defense diplomacy has brought about in recent years.
Persevering with motto of “pro-activeness, positivity, firmness, flexibility, and effectiveness”
Affirmed as a key and regular task of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) in peacetime, a vital foundation for achieving national defense and Fatherland protection goals, as well as promoting international cooperation for peace and stability, in recent years, Vietnam’s defense diplomacy activities have been implemented comprehensively and synchronously, following the motto of “pro-activeness, positivity, firmness, flexibility, and effectiveness.”
Thanks to this approach, defense diplomacy sector has gained remarkable progress both in scale and substance.
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Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang (first from right) and leaders of foreign militaries in Vietnam to attend the celebration marking the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and the National Day of Vietnam |
To date, Vietnam has established defense cooperation relations with over 100 countries and international organizations, including the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and all major powers. Promoting bilateral defense ties with neighboring countries with shared borders, major powers, ASEAN member states, and traditional friends continues to be prioritized. This is achieved through the development of cooperation documents, enhancement of existing collaboration mechanisms, and implementation of practical areas of cooperation, such as delegation exchanges, defense policy dialogues, consultations, training, cooperation between arms and services, defense industry, military medicine, and war legacy relief.
On the multilateral front, Vietnam’s defense diplomacy has also made significant strides in both quantity and quality. The country has pro-actively and responsibly participated in regional and international military and defense forums, such as the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), ADMM+, the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, the Shangri-La Dialogue, and the Moscow Conference on International Security.
The VPA has also engaged effectively in U.N. mechanisms related to development, peacekeeping, and responses to non-traditional security challenges. Since 2014, Vietnam has deployed over 1,100 service members to U.N. peacekeeping missions and headquarters, including field hospitals in South Sudan and engineering companies in Abyei.
The responsible participation and practical contribution of the VPA to peace and stability in the region and the world have been widely recognized by the international community, thereby elevating Vietnam’s global standing. Conversely, defense diplomacy has also enabled Vietnam to mobilize resources and support from partners to strengthen its defense potential and build a high-quality military workforce. This has contributed significantly to safeguarding the nation’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, while maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for national development and helping reinforce peace and stability regionally and globally.
In addition, defense diplomacy has proven to be an effective channel through which international partners and friends can better understand Vietnam’s consistent principles. Vietnam persistently pursues the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralization of external relations; pro-active, comprehensive, and effective international integration; and steadfast adherence to the “four no's” defense policy. All cooperative relationships and expansions are built upon these principles.
From participation to pro-active contribution
Vietnam’s defense diplomacy is undergoing a significant shift in mindset and implementation, evolving from a role of “participation” to one of “pro-active contribution” in addressing military and defense issues.
At regional and international military-defense forums, the VPA has increasingly put forward important proposals and initiatives that help foster dialogue, mutual understanding, and practical cooperation, helping build a peaceful, cooperative, and friendly environment for common development. These also allow Vietnam to assert its perspectives on issues concerning military and defense affairs.
The cooperation forms and content of Vietnam’s defense diplomacy activities are distinctive and rare globally. A prime example is the success of the Vietnam - China Border Defense Friendship Exchange, which has since been expanded to Laos and Cambodia. Over the past decade, such exchanges have helped build peaceful and friendly borders that many other regions aspire to achieve. Likewise, the Vietnam Defense Expo, successfully held twice so far, has attracted strong attention and appreciation from both domestic and international communities, especially at a time when “inviting friends to visit” remains difficult for many countries.
Vietnam’s pro-active expansion of defense diplomacy is evident not only through the country’s participation in conferences and forums, but also through field actions. Vietnam has deployed naval vessels and forces to participate in various international exercises, while reciprocal naval visits between Vietnam and other countries have become increasingly frequent. Notably, Vietnam’s dispatch of forces for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief following earthquakes in Turkey and Myanmar, though a relatively new activity, has demonstrated the goodwill, sense of responsibility, and capabilities of the VPA in addressing non-traditional security challenges.
Reviewing these activities and achievements, it is clear that Vietnam’s defense diplomacy today makes positive contribution not only to the nation’s own peace and stability, but also to that of the region and the world. It is a foundation for building trust with friends and partners, thereby facilitating the continued implementation of defense diplomacy and ensuring that it remains a practical means of safeguarding the Fatherland early and from afar by peaceful means.
(to be continued)
By Ngoc Hung - Anh Vu
Translated by Mai Huong