Vietnam's strategic narrative has been increasingly relevant on the global stage, marking the nation’s evolution from historical struggles to becoming one of Southeast Asia's most dynamic economies. Under the leadership of General Secretary and President To Lam, Vietnam has embraced its identity as a middle power and aims to adapt to contemporary challenges.
To Lam recently articulated this vision during his address at Columbia University. "Vietnam is at a new historical starting point, a new era – the era of the Vietnamese people’s rise," he stated, emphasizing the country’s efforts to engage more actively on the international scene.
This strategic narrative is not merely rhetoric; it reveals Vietnam's approach to diplomacy and its ambitions for the future. The Vietnamese leadership is intent on leveraging its unique historical circumstances and rich cultural heritage as it navigates complex global dynamics.
At the heart of this narrative is Vietnam’s legacy of resilience. The country has weathered centuries of occupation and conflict, including recent hardships through economic restructuring and the impacts of global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. With this backdrop, Vietnam's post-war identity has developed around the principles of reconciliation and international partnerships.
The essence of Vietnam's approach is encapsulated by the motto "more friends, fewer enemies" (thêm bạn, bớt thù), which underpins its desire to transform erstwhile adversaries like China and the United States from competitors to strategic partners.
This historical perspective informs Vietnam’s current diplomatic endeavors. Notably, initiatives focusing on trade, investment, and regional cooperation have intensified. The state’s philosophy emphasizes ethical governance and mutual respect, highlighting the idea of overcoming aggression with humanistic virtue (lấy chí nhân thắng cường bạo). Such principles resonate deeply within the Vietnamese social fabric, shaping its policy stances.
Vietnam's forward-looking vision sees it aspiring to join the ranks of developed economies. The government has ambitious targets for economic growth and modernization, eyeing upper-middle-income status by 2030 and high-income stature by 2045. This destination is informed by the belief encapsulated around the assertion, "Peace, cooperation, and development continue to be the major trends in the world" (Hòa bình, hợp tác và phát triển tiếp tục là xu thế lớn trên thế giới).
To facilitate these aims, Vietnam's foreign policy is grounded on principles, including maintaining independence, fostering multilateralism, and integrating with global frameworks. The nation’s engagement with ASEAN and the United Nations serves as pivotal platforms for advancing its diplomatic initiatives.
Vietnam's commitment is also reflected through its strategic partnerships with several key nations. For example, recent agreements with France focused on areas of education and technology, aligning with Vietnam's development priorities. Such arrangements have underscored Vietnam's willingness to engage constructively with various global players.
Simultaneously, the government has prioritized technological innovation, especially digital transformation driven by advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI). At the forefront of this drive is collaboration with international technology firms, including Meta. Thao Griffiths, Head of Public Policy Vietnam at Meta, remarked, "Vietnam could become the 'dragon' of Southeast Asia in AI," highlighting the country’s young, tech-savvy population and its vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Indeed, Vietnam's push for enhanced technical capabilities is complemented by its commitment to upskilling its workforce. With nearly 90,000 small and medium-sized enterprises already trained since 2017 under various initiatives, the country is investing wisely to prepare its workforce for the digital economy.
Infrastructure plays a pivotal role as well. To maximize its AI potential, Vietnam is encouraging governmental actions to improve connectivity, including opening up the 6 GHz band for enhanced internet access, which is foundational for modern digital services.
Through the Vietnam Innovation Challenge, co-organized with Meta, Vietnam is fostering innovation to accelerate its digital transformation. This program emphasizes the importance of building local capacity, particularly within the semiconductor and AI domains.
Back to the domestic agenda, the education sector holds enormous significance for Vietnam’s strategic narrative. General Secretary To Lam underlined this during the inauguration of the 2024-2025 academic year at the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences. He declared education as the nation's top priority and encouraged institutions to align with national development goals.
With aspirations to lead the region’s agricultural innovations, the academy aims to become a key contributor to Vietnam's growth. This includes establishing itself as a premier research institution, directly connected to national strategies for modernization and economic self-sufficiency.
The broader picture reflects Vietnam’s active pursuit of development on multiple fronts—from deepening educational attainments to enhancing technological prowess and transforming its diplomatic ties. This multi-layered approach serves as the cornerstone of Vietnam’s rise on the world stage.
While the road may present challenges, Vietnam’s narrative is being shaped by forward momentum, driven by the unyielding spirit of its people. Will Vietnam achieve its lofty ambitions to transform fully and embrace its role as a leading force within Southeast Asia?
