Hanoi, December 4, 2025 – The Europe Today: Senior officials, diplomats and scholars convened in Hanoi on Tuesday to discuss ways to further strengthen Việt Nam’s multilateral diplomacy as global challenges grow increasingly complex and interconnected.
The international conference, co-organised by the Hồ Chí Minh National Academy of Politics and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reviewed progress made since the 13th National Party Congress set a strategic goal of enhancing Việt Nam’s multilateral engagement, particularly within ASEAN and the United Nations.
Opening the event, Associate Professor Dr. Hoàng Phúc Lâm, Deputy Director of the academy, noted that rapid geopolitical shifts, technological advancements and mounting environmental pressures are reshaping the global landscape. These developments, he said, reinforce the essential role of multilateral cooperation, as no country can single-handedly address global issues such as climate change, water security, pandemics and cyber threats.
Dr. Lâm highlighted that over the past three decades, multilateral diplomacy has contributed significantly to Việt Nam’s development by helping maintain a peaceful external environment, elevating the nation’s international standing and attracting investment and technological resources. To meet emerging demands, he stressed the need to enhance forecasting capabilities, improve strategic planning, strengthen institutional expertise and invest in training personnel for participation in multilateral forums. He also emphasised Việt Nam’s need to engage in new global mechanisms involving artificial intelligence, digital governance, maritime security and environmental protection.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Minh Hằng reaffirmed that multilateral diplomacy remains central to safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and sustainable development. She reiterated Việt Nam’s commitment to contributing actively to a rules-based, equitable international order.
Discussions during the conference focused on both the theoretical foundations and practical aspects of multilateral diplomacy. Scholars underscored the enduring relevance of President Hồ Chí Minh’s diplomatic principles, stressing the importance of upholding core values while maintaining flexibility in response to a rapidly changing world.
Participants examined rising strategic competition, emerging security challenges and the development of new multilateral structures. These trends, they agreed, present opportunities for Việt Nam to strengthen policymaking, enhance human resource capacity and expand economic, cultural and digital diplomacy.
Representatives from diplomatic missions in Hanoi welcomed Việt Nam’s growing leadership role and voiced support for the country’s increasingly active engagement in regional and global forums.
Serving both as an academic platform and a policy consultation forum, the event provided valuable insights for the Party and State as Việt Nam prepares for future phases of national development. It reaffirmed the country’s determination to reinforce its position in an evolving multilateral environment and to deepen its contributions to regional and international cooperation.
