Hanoi, August 1, 2026 – The Europe Today: Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm has called on Vietnam’s overseas representative missions to place diplomacy in the service of national development at the heart of their work, stressing that the country’s expanding international partnerships must be translated into tangible resources to accelerate economic growth and achieve long-term strategic objectives.
Addressing a working session with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnamese ambassadors, and heads of representative missions abroad during the 33rd Diplomatic Conference in Hanoi, Tô Lâm emphasized that diplomacy should play a pioneering role in supporting Vietnam’s transformation and development agenda.
Ambassadors and heads of overseas missions briefed the leadership on the implementation of foreign affairs in their respective host countries, noting that Vietnamese diplomatic missions have continued to follow the Party’s guidelines and State policies while demonstrating responsibility, initiative, and innovation in responding to an increasingly complex global environment.
They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening friendship and cooperation with partner countries and contributing to Vietnam’s strategic priorities, including achieving double-digit economic growth, advancing the green transition, accelerating digital transformation, and reforming the national development model.
President Tô Lâm noted that the conference is being held at a pivotal moment as Vietnam enters the first year of the comprehensive implementation of the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress while accelerating institutional reforms and restructuring its growth model.
He described the conference theme, “Promoting the pioneering role and fulfilling the crucial and regular task of Vietnam’s external affairs in the new era,” as a call to action, urging diplomats to deepen their understanding of the Party’s development and national defence strategies and translate them into coordinated action.
While acknowledging that Vietnam faces significant global challenges, the President said the country also enjoys unprecedented opportunities, supported by its broadest-ever network of comprehensive strategic and strategic partnerships and participation in numerous new-generation free trade agreements.
He stressed that the primary challenge is converting these diplomatic relationships into concrete economic, technological, and investment benefits that support national development.
Tô Lâm reminded heads of representative missions that they serve as comprehensive representatives of the Vietnamese nation rather than solely the diplomatic sector. He urged them to strengthen strategic research, closely monitor developments in host countries, and act proactively and creatively within the framework of Party policies and national laws.
The President also called for the effective implementation of key Party resolutions, particularly Politburo Resolution No. 10 of June 8, 2026, on developing the foreign-invested economic sector. He instructed diplomatic missions to enhance forecasting and provide early warnings on trade barriers, trade remedy measures, green standards, rules of origin, and technology export controls.
Highlighting the importance of overseas Vietnamese communities, Tô Lâm described them as a valuable source of intellectual expertise, investment, and technology. He urged diplomatic missions to strengthen engagement with Vietnamese intellectuals, entrepreneurs, and experts abroad, establish networks in strategic technology sectors, and continue protecting Vietnamese citizens while coordinating closely with domestic authorities.
The President further emphasized the need to safeguard national security and State secrets, ensure the safety of diplomatic personnel and missions, strengthen political and ideological work, and intensify efforts to combat corruption, wastefulness, and misconduct in line with Party regulations.
Recognizing the challenges faced by diplomats serving far from their families, Tô Lâm expressed appreciation for their dedication and announced that relevant authorities had been tasked with reviewing support policies for overseas officials, particularly those serving in difficult locations. Measures will also be taken to upgrade diplomatic offices, improve security, and enhance working conditions.
He expressed confidence that following the conference, Vietnam’s ambassadors and representatives would return to their host countries with renewed determination and a stronger commitment to delivering practical results that directly contribute to the nation’s development.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnam’s overseas missions, Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung affirmed that the diplomatic corps fully recognizes the President’s directives as strategic guidance for the country’s foreign policy in a new stage of development. He pledged that the ministry would translate those directions into concrete and measurable outcomes in support of Vietnam’s continued growth and prosperity.
