Hai Phong has demonstrated and continues to play a crucial diplomatic role, serving as a strong driver for economic development and investment attraction. The city not only maintains close cooperative relations with numerous localities and international partners but also continually expands connections, helping to elevate Hai Phong’s status in global integration.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs of Hai Phong, following the 1954 Geneva Accords, Hai Phong became a regrouping point for the French Army and was the most international city in northern Vietnam, housing many consular offices and international organizations. On May 13, 1955, the last French soldiers disembarked at Nghieng Wharf, Do Son, and completely withdrew from the North—marking the full liberation of Hai Phong. Residents celebrated amid a sea of flags as city defenders returned to take over.
Immediately after liberation—and in the context of peace restored in the North but with myriad challenges ahead—city leaders quickly recognized the vital role of diplomacy in catalyzing development, securing international support, and consolidating the city’s position in the new era. In March 1955, Hai Phong’s very first foreign affairs apparatus was officially established—an important historic milestone and the beginning of 70 years of persistent, comprehensive, and proud foreign diplomacy.
In the early years, the foreign affairs office focused on managing foreigners, welcoming overseas Vietnamese, coordinating with international organizations, and assisting specialists. During wartime, the city actively protected expert delegations, received humanitarian aid, and expanded friendly exchanges.
From 1975 to 1986, foreign affairs intensified through international missions, trade promotion, and establishing sister city relationships. During the early reform period (1986–2004), Hai Phong’s foreign affairs sector proactively pursued an open diplomatic agenda, attracted investment, development aid, and international partnerships—laying a strong foundation for Hai Phong’s deeper integration and dynamic growth.
Hai Phong’s Department Director, Nguyễn Thị Bích Dung, shared that despite early uncertainties in a divided country, city diplomacy was flexible and proactive at each stage, growing steadily and becoming increasingly professional, larger in scale, and higher in quality. Hai Phong’s diplomats displayed initiative, creativity, and innovative spirit; they keenly grasped international trends and followed the Party and State’s diplomatic orientation, providing effective counsel to the City Party Committee and People’s Committee, and organizing practical, deep impact foreign affairs activities. Consequently, Hai Phong’s international cooperation has grown deeper and more substantive.
Hai Phong’s Vice Chairwoman of the People’s Committee, Lê Anh Quân, believes that with resilience, professionalism, and responsibility, the city’s diplomacy will continue to be a solid support and a “trusted bridge” to the world—worthy of its role as the development locomotive of the Red River Delta and the nation.
Taking the City to the World
To date, the city has established and maintained friendly cooperation with 26 foreign localities—including the United States, France, Germany, China, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands—and has welcomed over 2,000 international delegations in the past decade. Hai Phong has become a frequent destination for heads of state, senior corporate leaders, international organizations, and diplomatic missions, leaving deep impressions of a dynamic, hospitable, and increasingly integrated city.
Through economic diplomacy, Hai Phong has initiated three international air routes, connected hundreds of corporations and major groups for surveys and investment. The city currently trades with over 130 countries and territories, attracts FDI from 42 countries, maintains relations with 45 international and non-governmental organizations, and has become one of the top destinations for foreign investors.
Notably, Hai Phong doesn’t wait for opportunities—it actively creates them through high level foreign missions led directly by the Party Secretary. These delegations have visited major economic centers around the world—the United States, Japan, China, South Korea—to advocate for and promote the city’s image, seek strategic partners, and channel high quality FDI and ODA into Hai Phong.
On April 2, during a state visit to Vietnam (March 31 – April 4), King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium visited Hai Phong. The King expressed pride that Belgian companies, such as DEEP C and others, are investing and developing there. He hopes the visit will boost cooperation between the two sides, attract more interest from Belgian businesses, and convey the message that Vietnam is truly the gateway to Southeast Asia, and Hai Phong is a city of great potential.
At the “Connecting Enterprises and the Foreign Community in Hai Phong 2025” event in late March, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Vietnam commended Hai Phong’s efforts to improve its investment and business environment. The ambassador noted growing bilateral cooperation and increasing Dutch companies in Hai Phong. Besides Damen, Van der Leun, Alewijnse, Winel, Praxis, Steinweg…, APM Terminals has recently opened an office in Hai Phong. He is pleased that Hai Phong International Container Port—a strategic collaboration between Hateco Group and APM Terminals—began operations in February 2025.
According to Ms. Nguyễn Thị Bích Dung, in parallel with friendship cooperation and economic diplomacy, the city has also promoted cultural diplomacy and external communications. A standout success is mobilizing UNESCO to recognize Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago as a World Natural Heritage after more than 10 years of effort. This event not only resonated internationally but also marked a turning point for Hai Phong’s tourism toward integration and sustainable development.
During a recent visit and working session, General Secretary Tô Lâm emphasized that Hai Phong must strive to become a modern international port city comparable to Asia’s exemplary urban centers; an international hub for economy, education, training, science and technology; a national leader in industrialization and modernization; and ensure citizens’ quality of life continues to improve—as outlined in the Politburo’s Resolution 45 NQ/TW. That resolution also serves as a guiding compass for Hai Phong’s foreign affairs to continue innovating and supporting the city’s future journey.