In the context of a rapidly changing and complex global situation, and strictly following the strategic orientations of the Central government and the City Party Committee, Hai Phong has synchronously and effectively implemented foreign information work in the first 06 months of 2026. With the spirit of "Integration Impress 2025 - Breakthrough Mindset 2026," the city has achieved significant results, reaffirming its position as one of the most dynamic international integration centers in the country.
A Volatile Global Context and Local Proactivity
In the first half of 2026, the global security, political, and economic environment faced many unstable factors from "hot spots" such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in the Middle East. However, trends in digital transformation, green transition, and the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) have opened new opportunities for developing countries. In Vietnam, this is the first year for implementing the Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2026-2030, following the spirit of the 14th National Party Congress Resolution. Aligning with this flow, Hai Phong maintained high growth, with a highlight being the attraction of nearly $1.3 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the first 04 months of the year, a sharp increase over the same period. This serves as an important foundation for foreign information work to fulfill its role of "paving the way," promoting the image of a dynamic and friendly city to international friends.
Political Diplomacy: Building Trust, Expanding Partnerships
The city's political foreign activities in the first half of 2026 were extremely vibrant, laying a solid foundation for deep cooperation. The city welcomed 145 international delegations with approximately 2,850 visitors from 28 countries and territories, an increase of 08 delegations compared to the same period in 2025. Visits from EU Ambassadors, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Laos, and the Duke of Richmond (United Kingdom) demonstrated the special interest of international partners in Hai Phong. Conversely, the city successfully managed and organized 54 outgoing delegations with 128 people traveling for work and study in key countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. To date, Hai Phong has established friendly relations with 31 foreign localities and trade connections with over 130 countries and territories. Two-way information exchange and timely congratulatory letters for major Party and State events have further strengthened friendships between Hai Phong and its traditional partners.
Economic Diplomacy: Linking Foreign Information with Investment Attraction
Foreign information work has been integrated into investment, trade, and tourism promotion activities. A notable highlight was the 2026 Hai Phong - South Korea Investment Promotion Conference in Seoul, chaired by the Chairman of the City People's Committee. Through the conference, the city's potential, advantages, and investment environment were introduced directly to major Korean corporations, opening many cooperation opportunities in high-tech, semiconductor, and logistics sectors. The city also connected with and welcomed hundreds of businesses and associations from the US, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, including corporations like PSA, LOTTE, CTP, and JAUD. Consequently, mobilization for Foreign Non-Governmental Organization (FNGO) aid achieved positive results with total commitments reaching nearly $1.5 million from 11 projects, focusing on health, education, and environmental protection, contributing to the city's sustainable development goals.
Cultural Diplomacy: Spreading Hai Phong's Identity to the World
The image of a rich-identity and integrated Hai Phong has been strongly promoted through diverse cultural diplomacy activities. The 2026 Red Flamboyant Festival attracted about 150 international delegates and foreign art troupes, creating a unique cultural exchange space. Other typical international events were also successfully organized, such as the 10th Japanese Speech Contest, the Vietnam-Japan Cultural Exchange Festival at Nam Cau Kien, the "Denmark in My Eyes" painting exhibition, and the ROBOTACON - First Lego League playground for the second time in Hai Phong. Furthermore, receiving 36 cherry blossom trees from a Japanese enterprise and people-to-people exchange activities with the Royal Netherlands Navy Ship enriched the cultural life and international friendship of the city's residents.
Connecting the Overseas Vietnamese Community and Modernizing Information Channels
Work related to Vietnamese people abroad was implemented practically, evoking national pride and love for the homeland. The "Spring in Homeland 2026" program attracted about 400 overseas Vietnamese participants, helping them better understand the city's strong development. On this occasion, the Department of Foreign Affairs donated Vietnamese language textbooks and cultural publications to the Hai Phong community in France, Russia, the UK, Germany, etc., to preserve the mother tongue for young generations of overseas Vietnamese. Regarding information infrastructure, the Department of Foreign Affairs was tasked with finalizing a promotional video of Hai Phong for the world and supporting 03 international press delegations (41 people). Media products about the Cat Ba Archipelago World Natural Heritage were strengthened, helping position Hai Phong as a world-class tourism destination. Additionally, organizing an AI training class for 25 leading officials in China showed the city's agility in updating new technology trends for foreign affairs.
Challenges and Orientations for the Last 06 Months of 2026
Beside the achieved results, the city still faces existing difficulties: awareness of foreign information work in some units is not yet deep; media products are sometimes repetitive and lack specificity. The application of international social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram remains limited, and specialized resources for foreign information work are thin. To break through in the last 6 months, the city identified key solutions:
- Strategic Advisory Research: Closely forecasting the world situation to orient appropriate foreign methods.
- Promoting Economic Diplomacy: Attracting selective investment into high-tech sectors that contribute significantly to the city budget.
- Digitalizing Information Work: Innovating content, diversifying media languages, and boosting the application of AI and social networks to spread official information.
- Human Resource Development: Organizing training courses and workshops on foreign affairs skills and foreign language proficiency for commune-level officials.
With these positive results, Hai Phong's foreign information work in the first 06 months of 2026 has significantly contributed to enhancing the city's position and prestige internationally, creating firm momentum for integration and sustainable development in the new period.