Throughout the extensive history of Hai Phong city's growth and evolution, foreign relations have consistently been a pivotal factor in driving socioeconomic progress, elevating the city's reputation and standing among international partners.
Following the signing of the Geneva Agreement in 1954, Hai Phong emerged as the focal point for the French expeditionary force. The city boasted a population of over 40,000 expatriates, representing 17 diverse nationalities and hosting consulates from France, England, India, America, Belgium, and Switzerland. Additionally, various international organizations were present to oversee the implementation of the Geneva Agreements, alongside a delegation representing the French governor-general. As a result, diplomatic efforts were promptly coordinated by both the Central Government and the City Party Committee in anticipation of assuming control of the city.
On March 25, 1955, the Department of Foreign Affairs was inaugurated within the City Administrative Committee, operating under the expert guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Chairman of the City Administrative Committee oversees the deployment of officials with direct assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In 1959, the Department of Foreign Affairs underwent a restructuring, becoming the Department of Foreign Affairs with a primary focus on the administration and assistance of foreign nationals, particularly the diaspora of overseas Chinese (comprising over 20 thousand individuals), overseeing immigration procedures at ports, and facilitating international business endeavors. Additionally, the department was tasked with coordinating the reception and collaboration with foreign delegations visiting, exchanging, and conducting business in Hai Phong.
Before the nation's liberation and reunification between 1959 and 1975, the focus of foreign affairs was predominantly on hosting international delegations in Hai Phong. This involved managing foreign visitors, coordinating various operations, and offering assistance to foreign entities in the area. Moreover, duties encompassed guiding and facilitating the evacuation of experts, receiving humanitarian aid, and actively cooperating to secure the safe passage of the country's vessels through the port blockade.
From April 1975 to 1986, in the wake of the Great Spring Victory in 1975 that led to the unification of the country, the foreign relations department actively worked towards maintaining and enhancing friendly ties with sister cities such as Vladivostock (Soviet Union), Kompon-som (Cambodia), North Morauva (Czechoslovakia),... Furthermore, endeavors were undertaken to broaden trade promotion in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan markets, with a specific emphasis on collaboration in construction, seaports, shipbuilding, mechanics,... Notably, the city dispatched 02 groups of experts to Kompon-som city to aid in the expulsion of the remnants of Pol Pot's army and in the consolidation and establishment of the government.
Between 1986 and 2004, in accordance with the principles of independence, autonomy, and transparency delineated by the Party and State, the city placed considerable emphasis on enhancing foreign economic relations and expanding its economic horizons. This entailed reinforcing the appeal of foreign direct investment (FDI), official development assistance (ODA), expanding import and export markets, nurturing foreign non-governmental assistance, and catalyzing significant and substantial progress in socioeconomic development. These endeavors played a pivotal role in fostering a favorable international environment for the promotion of innovation, as well as the industrialization and modernization of both the country and the city.
On November 26, 2004, the Hai Phong Department of Foreign Affairs was reinstated with the mandate to develop and implement a range of comprehensive guiding documents on foreign affairs across four key pillars: political diplomacy, economic diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy.
Political diplomacy is actively promoted to foster connections, enhance cooperative relations, facilitate investments, stimulate market growth, and bolster production and business activities. The frequency of incoming and outgoing delegations has significantly increased in recent years. By 2023, there will be 157 delegations (representing a 78.41% surge compared to the same period in 2022) visiting and collaborating with 291 delegations (reflecting an 85% increase from 2022). Currently, the city has forged new friendly and cooperative ties with 19 localities across 13 countries and territories worldwide. Emphasis is placed on the signing of international agreements, with 20 new cooperation pacts slated for 2023 with partners from Korea, Japan, China, and the United States, bringing the total number of valid international agreements to 31.
Economic diplomacy is recognized as a critical endeavor characterized by innovative investment and trade promotion strategies targeting key markets such as Japan, Korea, the US, the EU, ASEAN, as well as prominent multinational corporations and economically robust organizations boasting advanced technology. Numerous pivotal projects have been successfully carried out with the support of official development aid (ODA), including the Lach Huyen deep-water port, Tan Vu - Lach Huyen motorway, Rao II bridge, Dinh Vu - Cat Hai economic zone, and VSIP. Since 2011, Hai Phong has emerged as a standout region in terms of FDI attraction, leading the nation with an impressive total investment share of nearly 55% of the overall registered FDI capital amassed over the past quarter-century.
Cultural diplomacy is utilized in conjunction with other diplomatic efforts to enhance the city's reputation with global partners through a variety of activities including fine art exhibitions, literary works, paintings, cultural exchanges, film festivals, painting competitions, and language programs. During the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Arabia, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially designated the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago as a world natural heritage site.
Foreign information and propaganda efforts have been enhanced and expanded through platforms such as the Vietnam - UK Foreign Affairs Newsletter, the multilingual Foreign Affairs Information Portal, international publications, and websites. These channels promptly convey the policies, socioeconomic development strategies, and foreign policies of the Party and State, as well as the accomplishments in economic, cultural, social development, and international integration of the nation and its regions.
Citizen diplomacy is consistently advanced through a multitude of solidarity events and amicable interactions, fostering positive sentiments with global acquaintances and bolstering solidarity, friendship, and collaboration with individuals from other nations, especially during significant occasions such as diplomatic anniversaries and National Day celebrations.
Foreign non-governmental aid (NGO) has yielded numerous remarkable outcomes. The city has successfully drawn in a multitude of projects with significant socioeconomic importance, with a primary focus on guaranteeing social welfare, fostering family economic growth, providing vocational training, enhancing healthcare services, promoting environmental conservation, and addressing the challenges posed by climate change. The annual total disbursement value typically ranges between 4 and 4.5 million USD.
Collaborating with Vietnamese individuals overseas is greatly enriched by the execution of various engaging initiatives that have successfully enticed a significant number of expatriate Vietnamese to partake in the advancement and enhancement of the city. The city currently boasts 30 investment ventures led by overseas Vietnamese, totaling approximately 25 million USD in capital. The average yearly remittance value between 2015 and 2024 surged to 220 million USD, marking a substantial 70.5% increase from the period spanning 2005 to 2014.
For nearly seven decades, foreign affairs have consistently been a focal point of the City Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee, with support from central agencies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Foreign Affairs. The central government has also played a significant role in overseeing and guiding these efforts, alongside active engagement from international organizations, agencies, local entities, and the city's residents.
In the near future, the responsibilities of managing foreign affairs will grow more demanding and necessitate a higher level of sophistication. By closely aligning with the directives of both the Central Government and the city, the cadre of foreign affairs officials has heightened their efforts to recommend that the city persist in fortifying, broadening, and cultivating relationships with partners in a comprehensive manner. This proactive approach serves to not only cultivate and fortify a conducive international atmosphere, but also to draw in external resources, enhance the city's image, and elevate its standing and prestige among global collaborators.