On March 11, 2026, the Government issued Resolution No. 41/NQ-CP regarding the Action Plan to implement the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress. This is a crucial document aimed at concretizing guidelines and orientations for foreign affairs and international integration, establishing a new position for Vietnam during a turning point in the nation's development.
Strategic Vision and Aspiration for Breakthroughs
The Government's Action Plan was developed as the country prepares to enter a "New Era". The general objective of Resolution 41 is to maintain a peaceful and stable environment to achieve sustainable development breakthroughs while firmly protecting the Fatherland. The Government has clearly defined a roadmap for Vietnam to become a developing country with modern industry and high middle income by 2030, aiming for the vision of 2045 to become a developed, high-income, prosperous, and happy nation. To realize this vision, foreign affairs and international integration have been identified as one of the ten key task groups, playing a vital role in creating external resources and consolidating internal strength.
Foreign Policy Orientation: Comprehensive, Deep, and Effective
In Section 9 of Resolution 41/NQ-CP, the Government demands the continued and strong implementation of an independent, autonomous, peaceful, friendly, cooperative, and developmental foreign policy, while practicing the multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations. The focus of foreign affairs in the coming period includes key pillars:
- Elevating Multilateral and Bilateral Diplomacy: Strategic and comprehensive partnerships will be brought into depth, becoming more substantive and effective. Vietnam will not only participate but must also actively and positively participate in shaping multilateral frameworks and institutions, increasing its responsibility in the common affairs of the international community.
- Effective Implementation of International Commitments: The Government will promote the dissemination of information and enhance the effectiveness of implementing signed international agreements and commitments to optimize national interests.
- Economic Diplomacy for Development: This is considered a task of depth, focusing on new forms of diplomacy such as science-technology diplomacy, digital diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, and industrial-commercial diplomacy. The goal is to connect and promote cooperation to attract resources in technology, capital, and markets for economic breakthroughs.
Protecting Sovereignty and Promoting International Law
Resolution 41/NQ-CP affirms a resolute and persistent stance in protecting Vietnam's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction. Amid a complex international situation, the Government emphasizes continued cooperation and negotiations for sea delimitation with relevant countries and the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). Specifically, Vietnam aims to build a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) that is consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The Overseas Vietnamese Community and Citizen Protection
Work related to Vietnamese people abroad continues to be a priority to preserve national identity and connect the community with the cause of building and protecting the Fatherland. The Government requires excellence in citizen protection and care for the community residing legally in other countries. According to Appendix III, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is assigned to lead the development of a Project on overseas Vietnamese work and a Project to open new Vietnamese representative offices abroad by 2030 to meet the requirements of increasingly deep integration.
Specific Tasks and Implementation Roadmap
To ensure that foreign policy goals are translated into action, the Government has assigned specific tasks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant ministries for the 2026-2030 period:
- Implementing the International Integration Action Program: Following Government Resolution No. 153/NQ-CP in the new situation.
- Promoting Roles in the Human Rights Council: Implementing the project for Vietnam’s membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term.
- Building a National Brand: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will lead the development of the "Vietnam National Brand Title" Project in 2026 to enhance the country's image globally.
- Perfecting Foreign Policy Legal Institutions: Focusing on laws regarding Vietnamese representative offices abroad and international agreements.
Action Motto and Political Determination
Throughout the Action Plan is the motto: “Solidarity, discipline - Democracy, innovation - Breakthrough, development - Near the people, for the people”. Resolution 41/NQ-CP is a strong commitment by the Government to a proactive, flexible, and resilient foreign policy. By unlocking external resources, Vietnam is steadily entering an era of growth, asserting its prestige and responsibility as an active member of the international community.