The guidelines, the foreign policy of the Party and State of Vietnam are a system of theoretical viewpoints on the basic foreign orientations of the country in a certain period. When participating in the international political life, the Party and State of Vietnam always rely on the assessments of the international, regional and domestic situations to plan and implement the appropriate foreign policies so as to achieve the set goals of the foreign policy, of which the biggest goal is to protect and more effectively promote the interests of the nation and the people [1].

The Basis for Planning the Foreign Policy of Vietnam in The Renovational Period

On the basis of assessing the domestic and international situations, the Party and State of Vietnam regard  Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, and the tradition of nation's diplomacy as a basis for planning the foreign policy in the renovation period; of which, Marxism-Leninism of the worldview, methodology, the world vision, the major scientific and revolutionary issues of the ages, the international relations, the class - people - international relation, internationalism, the peaceful coexistence… Ho Chi Minh's ideology on  diplomacy, serious consideration of the national independence, combining the powers of the nation with that of the age; public diplomacy, peace and friendship with all nations, taking the immutability  to cope with variabilities, grasping the opportunity to win every step of the way; The acquirement of the perceptions, pointviews, ideas, and mottos of foreign behaviors systematized into philosophy and diplomatic expericences has been inherited from generation to generation; specifically, the lessons on resolutely protecting the independence and national sovereignty; Peace and the harmony with other countries; expanding and absorbing worldworld civilized achievements; basing on principles but being smart, soft, and flexible.

Vietnam's foreign policy in the period 1986-2000

Historical background

The Global and Regional Situations: In the last decades of the twentieth century, the political-security environment and international relations underwent great changes. The socialist model in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union was gradually weakened and collapsed, the bipolar world order ended, and the internationally political chessboard was led and mastered by the United States. The trend of confrontation did not exist any longer and was substituted by the trend of the reconciliation, peaceful coexistence, and development. The process of globalization rapidly happened on all fronts. Large countries changed directions or adjust their strategies, focusing on developing internal resources and intensifying economic competition. Developing countries were urgently in need to expand their foreign relations to take advantage of the resources to develop, including Vietnam. These countries were also reforming, opening up and diversifying cooperative models and methods. The internationalization of producing forces and the division of international labor towards specialization became more profound. Science and technology continued to be considerably developed, affecting almost all areas of social life globally.

Domestic Context

After obtaining the national independence and reunification in 1975, Vietnam faced lots of challenges as a result of the wars. The long-term centralized, bureaucratic, and subsidiary economy caused many difficulties and limitations while the battles on the Southwest and the Northern borders were still going on. By the early 1990s, the reforming and opening-up process achieved some encouragingly initial results; however, difficulties and challenges remained; socio-economic crisis was still complicated and the inflation was high. Vietnam lost its key source of aid and international economic cooperation due to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the socialist countries in Eastern Europe. In addition, the US, the West, and ASEAN surrounded and embargoed Vietnam due to the misunderstanding about the Cambodian issue (In 1979, Vietnam sent volunteer troops to help Cambodia escape from the genocide in the spirit of solidarity and humanity, but it was mistaken as Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia by the world). Vietnam’s political and foreign environment became more difficult and deadlocked than ever before. The international, regional and domestic situation has had a great impact on the guidelines of the nationally socio-economic development in general and Vietnam's foreign policy in particular. The task for Vietnam is to take advantage of the conditions to deal with the consequences of the wars, to break the siege and embargo, to carry out the reformation and renewal, and to avoid the risk of economic backwardness to step by step rebuild the country towards socialism. As an integral part of the nationally socio-economic development policy, Vietnam's foreign policy needs to be adjusted in line with actually domestic and international conditions in order to contribute to achieving the national goals in general and foreign policy in particular.

Establishing A Foreign Policy Which Is Independent, Self-Controlled, Extensive, Diversified, Multilateralized in International Relations

Grasping the global trend of foreign affairs and based on the domestic conditions during the innovative implementation from 1986 to 2000, the foreign thinking of the Party and the State of Vietnam was significantly changed: Resolution 32 – Politburo, term 5 (May 1986) set out the policy of shifting from confrontation to conversation and struggling in the peaceful coexistence, which was in line with the global situation and the new trend of the international relations. Vietnam identifiedd Southeast Asia's important position in the innovative and peacefully developing policy, emphasizing ASEAN's role in helping Vietnam open up to the world, and finding solutions to the misunderstanding about Cambodia.

Next, the 6th Congress [2] determined that the top foreign affair task was to take advantage of the favorably international conditions for the cause of building socialism and defending the Fatherland. The main directions of the foreign affairs are: First, to develop and consolidate the special relation and comprehensive cooperation with Laos and Cambodia on the basis of respecting the national independence and national sovereignty. Second, in the relations with two big countries Russia and China: Vietnam considers its solidarity and the comprehensive cooperation with the Soviet Union as a cornerstone in Vietnam's foreign policy. In addition, Vietnam is willing to negotiate so as to solve the problems of Vietnam-China relations to move towards normalizing the relations between the two countries. Third, it is necessary to develop the friendship, the cooperation and peaceful coexistence with Southeast Asian countries, for a peaceful, stable and cooperative Southeast Asia, and willing to improve the relations with the US for the peace and stability of the region.

Resolution 13 of the Politburo (May 1988) also provided a new perspective on security. In the spirit of "More friends, less enemies", Vietnam wishes to maintain a peaceful environment to focus on developing the economy, actively changing the situation of confrontation to struggle and cooperate for the peaceful coexistence; expanding and diversifying the relations on the basis of respect for independence, sovereignty and mutual benefits. The immediate task of diplomacy is to normalize the relations with China and to solve the Cambodian problem.

The 7th National Congress [2] defined such the foreign affair tasks as maintaining peace, expanding the friendship and cooperative relations, creating favorably international conditions for constructing socialism and defending the Fatherland... The policy of expanding foreign relations and equally cooperating for mutual benefits of all countries, regardless of different socio-political regimes on the principles of the peaceful coexistence.

The 3rd Plenum of the 7th Central Committee (1992) set forth the guideline for handling the following international issues: Ensuring the genuine national interests; Maintaining the independence and self-reliance, promoting diversification and multilateralization of the foreign relations; Mastering the two aspects of cooperation and struggle in the international relations; Actively participating in the cooperation with regional countries, and expanding these relations with other countries at the same time, focusing on the relations with major countries and major economic centers; Diversifying relational fields (politics, economy, national defense, security, culture-society...); diversifying forms of relations (bilateral, multilateral, State, Party, National Assembly); Multilateralizing relations with the East (Asia), the West (Europe-America, Capitalism); the North (rich countries); the South (poor and developing countries), improving the relations from with some countries and organizations to the relations with all countries regardless of political institutions, economic stratification, religions, organizations...

The Third Plenum of the 7th Central Committee (June 1992) also emphasized the issue of national interests: Vietnam identifies the goal of "peace and development" as the "standard in international activities" and this standard serves the highest interests of Vietnamese people. Those national interests are to quickly escape from the crisis, maintain political stability, develop socio-economics, enrich people’s lives, strengthen the country, and firmly protect the independence and freedom of the Fatherland. ... Foreign affairs must serve those interests of the nation, considering the national interest "the highest and the most sacred"; It is also the best way to implement internationalism according to Vietnam's ability and suitable for the global changing.

At the 8th Congress [2]: The task of the regional and international economic integration was firstly raised: "Building an open economy, integrating with the region and the world". The 8th Party Congress also emphasized the bilateral and multilateral cooperation with other countries and international organizations. The fourth meeting of the Central Executive Committee, term 8 (December 1997) proposed a resolution to expeditiously and firmly negotiate the Agreement with the US, joining APEC and WTO. These are important beginnings for a major and thorough foreign policy of our Party, for an internationally economic integration and now for the international integration.

Some Remarkable Results

With the appropriate and correct diplomatic guidelines and strategies, especially with the policy of "more friends, less enemies", diversifying and multilateralizing the international relations, Vietnam has achieved its foreign affair goals, succeeding in breaking the political isolation and besieging the economic embargo. In October 1991, the Paris Agreement on Cambodia was signed after many efforts at diplomatic negotiations. In November 1991, Vietnam and China officially normalized the diplomatic relations. The relations between Vietnam and neighboring countries, Southeast Asia and Western countries have been improving. Taking advantage of the material help from other countries and the international organizations, Vietnam has gradually rehabilitated the national economy, maintained the national independence and sovereignty, step by step developed the national economy and defense, and expanded its international relations. In July 1995, Vietnam and the US officially established the diplomatic relations. Vietnam also joined ASEAN, signed a framework agreement on the cooperation with the European Union (EU) in this month. Since 1995, Vietnam has taken advantage of a lot of FDI and ODA capital resources, expanding the exporting markets and promoted the line demarcation with neighboring countries. Vietnam has joined in founding ASEM (1996), participated in APEC (1998), WTO (2006), and successfully hosted many major international conferences.

Vietnam's Diplomatic Thinking Renewal Process from The Beginning of the 21st Century to Present

International and Domestic Situation:

The global and regional situation has been rapidly, complicatedly and unpredictably changed in the 21st century. The international relations among countries, especially the big ones, have become cooperative, competitive, and restrained to gain the political and economic influence, of which the US-China rivalry is the most notable. Besides, China's ambition of world hegemony, the re-growth of Russia and the appearance of emerging powers such as India, Australia, Korea, Japan... have also been affecting the world. The trend of gathering forces, cooperating - fighting for the interests of the nation is sharply taking place, putting the developing countries including Vietnam as well as the small and medium-sized countries in many challenges. The Asia-Pacific region has become a competitive center of great countries. As a result, the security of this area is becoming complicated and unpredictable. In many other areas, the ethnic and religious conflicts, the international terrorism, the local wars, the interventional activities, the subversion, the civil disobedience, the disputes over sovereignty, territory, and resources... have been taking place in the new and more intensive forms. Global issues such as environment, climate change, epidemics ... and non-traditional security such as energy security, financial security, cyber security, ... especially the seriously global pandemic Covid- 19 have forced the countries to join hands to solve these shared problems of all mankind. All aspects of human life have been changed thanks to the outstanding scientific and technological development, especially the 4.0 revolution with the rapidly technological breakthroughs in many fields. The process of globalization and international integration is bringing the world to a "matrix structure" of free trade agreements (FTAs) on many lines and at many levels, including new generation FTAs. 

The domestic situation:

After 15 years of implementing the innovational policy (1986-2000), Vietnam has obtained many achievements in all fields. In terms of economy, thanks to the application of three economic programs of food, the demand of the consumer goods, the exported goods, the domestic food is ensured because the goods are abundant, inflation is pushed back, the market of import and export expanded, the foreign investing capital increased rapidly. Science and technology have made positive changes, associated with the needs of socio-economic development, and adapted to the market mechanism. The improved economy contributes to the change of the country and people's lives. The socio-political situation has stabilized, culture-education has been developed, the national defense and security have been strengthened, and the national independence and socialist regime have been firmly consolidated. Thanks to the appropriate and correct foreign policy, and the expanding foreign relations, Vietnam's position and prestige are constantly being enhanced in the international arena. However, the economic development is not stable, and the competitiveness is still low. Some cultural and social issues are still urgent and slowly resolved. The state of corruption, deterioration in the political ideology, morality, and lifestyle of some cadres and party members seems to be increasing [3].

The Innovations in Vietnam's Foreign Thinking from The Beginning of the 21st Century to The Present

Grasping regional and international fluctuations, the impact of these issues on the development of Vietnam, based on the actual conditions of the country, the Party, the State and Government of Vietnam have proposed the guidelines of the foreign policy and policy, as follows: At the 9th Congress [2], the policy was set out: "Actively integrating into the international and regional economy in the spirit of maximizing internal resources, improving the efficiency of the international cooperation, ensuring the independence, autonomy and socialist orientation, protecting the national interests and national security, preserving the national cultural identity and the environment"; Vietnam is ready to be a friend and a reliable partner of international friends... On the comprehensive assessment of the world situation after the terrorist events in the US on September 11th, 2001, identifying opportunities and challenges to Vietnam, at the 8th Plenum of the IX Central Committee (2003), the guiding point of view and the action motto in the Strategy for Fatherland Defense were: “The maintenance of a peaceful and stable environment for socio-economic development and the socialist-oriented industrialization and modernization is considered the highest interests of the nation”. The conference also introduced a new and dialectical view in international relations on the issue of "Partners" and "Objects" (developing and concretizing views on the two aspects of "cooperation and struggle" mentioned in the Resolution of the 3rd Party Central Committee, term 7th in 1992); of which specifying “What is a Partner” “What is an Object”, “The Object is in the Partner and the Partner is in the Object”, defining the motto “turning the Object into the Partner” at certain point of time and in each specific problem. During the process of resolutely fighting to repel the object, it is necessary to take even the smallest advantages from the partner, to temporarily limit the disadvantage from the object, gradually turning the object into a partner.

At the 10th Congress [2], the foreign policy stance was determined to be proactive and active in the internationally economic integration, at the same time expand the international cooperation in other fields, actively participate in the process of the internationally economic cooperation; bring the established international relations into depth and stability; actively participate in the common struggle for human rights.

At the 11th Congress [2], a number of viewpoints on foreign affairs were added, as follows: For the first time, the foreign objective "for the sake of the nation and the people" was stated in the document of the National Congress of the Party's Deputies, beside the policy "to be a friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community". The congress also agreed to change the viewpoint of "the proactive and active international economic integration" to "the proactive and active international integration", which means that Vietnam not only integrates economically but also in all fields. And another new addition is that Vietnam will be proactive, active and responsible together with other countries to build a strong ASEAN Community. 

At the 12th National Congress [2]: Facing the increasingly fierce competition of the great countries in the Asia-Pacific, especially the dominant ones in the East Sea, the foreign task was set as "firmly defending the Fatherland, maintaining a peaceful and stable environment" to "ensure the supreme interests of the nation on the fundamental principles of international law, equality and mutual benefit”; continuing to promote the multilateral diplomacy, especially emphasizing "proactively and actively contributing to the building and shaping of multilateral institutions"; "Actively participate in and promote the role in the multilateral mechanisms, especially ASEAN and the United Nations".

The 13th Congress [2] has clearly affirmed that Vietnam needs to continue to adhere to the foreign policy of independence and self-reliance for peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralization, diversification, and comprehensive and extensive international integration. The orientation of the foreign policy includes the following highlights: First, “Continue promoting the pioneering role of the foreign affairs in creating and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, mobilize external resources to develop the country as well as raise the position and the prestige of the nation". Second, foreign affairs must "ensure the highest interests of the nation, on the basic principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, equality and mutual benefit". Third, the task is “to proactively and actively integrate into the world, well solve the relation between independence, self-reliance and international integration; to comprehensively, extensively, flexibly, effectively integrate into the world for the sake of the nation, to ensure the national independence, self-reliance and sovereignty". Fourth, the thinking about bilateral and multilateral foreign affairs has had new developments. On the bilateral side, we need to continue deepening the bilaterally external relations, and to "create a position of interweaving interests" and "increase trust" at the same time. Fifth, the foreign affairs are assigned the responsibility to participate in the national defense, security and the whole political system in ensuring a peaceful and stable environment of the country, protecting the country from the early and far; “Resolutely and persistently struggle to defeat all plots and acts of interference by hostile forces in the internal affairs, infringing upon the independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, national security and political stability of the country”. Continue promoting the settlement of issues about sea, security and safety of navigation and aviation on the basis of international law, especially the United Nations Convention and the Law of the Sea in 1982; ensure the peaceful borders, the security, cooperation and development; resolve outstanding issues related to land borders with neighboring countries”. Sixth, "Support overseas Vietnamese to have a legal status, develop their economy and life, and integrate into the host country's society; improve the effectiveness of citizen protection, adopt policies to attract resources from overseas Vietnamese to make positive contributions to the cause of national construction and defense.” Seventh, "Build a comprehensive and modern diplomacy with three pillars of party diplomacy, state diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy". Eighth, “Improve the bravery, quality, capacity, professionalism, modernity and creative innovation of the staff working in foreign affairs and international integration to proactively adapt to the changes in the situation”.

The document of the 13th Congress is a guideline for the implementation of the foreign affairs, strongly demonstrating the inheritance and spirit of innovative thinking, in line with reality, as well as with the new position and force of the country [4].

Thanks to the implementation of the appropriate and correct foreign policy in recent years, Vietnam has obtained the following achievements, such as: Successfully integrating into the regional and world economy; Enhancing the international position of the country; Maintaining the independence and sovereignty, unifying the territorial integrity. Up to now, Vietnam has established the relations with 189/193 member countries of the United Nations; has economic, trade and investment relations with more than 230 countries and territories, of which Vietnam is a comprehensively strategic partner with three major countries, China, Russia and India. 

Vietnam is also an active member of more than 70 regional and international organizations, and has successfully assumed the role of ASEAN Chair twice. Currently, Vietnam is a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (with an almost absolute number of 192/193 votes) and many important UN agencies. However, in order to achieve the set foreign goals, especially the task of ensuring the supreme interests of the nation and enhancing the country's position and prestige in the international arena, Vietnam needs to resolve the important relations, such as: The wider and deeper relation between independence and international  integration;  the relation  between  security 
and integration to develop; the relation between firmly defending the national sovereignty and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment; the relation between national interests and international responsibilities and obligations; the relation between expanding and diversifying international relations with the deepened relationships.

The foreign policy of the Party and State of Vietnam since "the innovation" has had great strides through congresses. Recent achievements in foreign affairs have proved the correct changes of this policy. However, the tasks and challenges posed to Vietnam's diplomacy in the coming time are extremely difficult and heavy, requiring dynamism and sensitivity to regional and world situations as well as unanimity and determination of both the political system and the people. In all circumstances, Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh's ideology, and the nation's diplomatic tradition have always been the guidelines for foreign affairs in particular and the path to socialism in general [5]. More than ever, we believe in the correct leadership of the Party, the State's efforts, the determination of the whole political system, and unite with the Party and State to successfully build a Vietnam of peace, prosperity on a par with the great powers of the five continents as our respectful Uncle Ho always expected.

1. Nguyen Xuan Thang. “World and regional situation: Opportunities and challenges for vietnam.” Tuyengiao, https://tuyengiao.vn/nghien-cuu/ly-luan/tinh-hinh-the-gioi-khu-vuc-co-hoi-va-thach-thuc-doi-voi-viet-nam-126709. Accessed August 2021.

2. Documents of the Congress of the V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII. Internal circulation documents.

3. Pham Binh Minh. “Vietnam’s diplomacy: 75 years of accompanying the nation, serving the fatherland.” VOV, https://vov.vn/chinh-tri/ngoai-giao-viet-nam-75-nam-dong-hanh-cung-dan-toc-phung-su-to-quoc-1088929.vov. Accessed August 2021.

4. Pham Quang Minh, editor. Vietnam after 30 Years of Renovation: Achievements and Prospects. Hong Duc Publishing House, 2017.

5. Pham Binh Minh, editor. Vietnam's Foreign Policy and Guidelines in the New Period. National Political Publishing House, 2011.