Major General, Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hong Quan, former deputy director of the Institute for Defence Strategy, said in a recent interview granted to VOV.VN that defence diplomacy not only enhances the country’s international reputation, but also serves as a long arm connecting the Party’s foreign policy and State diplomacy. It opens up new opportunities and lays the foundation for the country to confidently step into a new era of national growth and global integration.

Indeed, Vietnam has so far established defence relations with more than 100 militaries across five continents, and these partnerships have elevated the country’s global standing and instilled greater national pride and confidence as it advances on the world stage.

“From a foreign policy perspective, including defence diplomacy, Vietnam has strategically strengthened its national potential and global position through a well-coordinated approach,” said Maj. Gen. Quan.

In his view, Vietnam has strengthened relations with major global players shaping the future world order. In order to avoid division into exclusive geopolitical blocs, it has managed to maintain economic, technological, and diplomatic ties with all sides.

“It is a rare and significant achievement that Vietnam has entered into defence partnerships with all five permanent members of the UN Security Council, namely the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France, that reflects the country’s balanced, independent, and proactive foreign policy. In addition, we have also expanded defence relations with other major powers such as Russia, China, India, Japan and Australia,” remarked the senior military officer.

In his analysis, amid the intensifying global strategic competition, the country remains steadfast in its commitment to independent and balanced diplomacy, by refusing to be swayed or pressured into aligning with any single power bloc. To maintain strategic autonomy, it does not take sides in great power rivalries. Instead, it engages all global power while upholding sovereignty and national interests. It effectively leverages defence diplomacy to contribute to regional and global stability.

“Over the past years, Vietnam’s defence diplomacy has successfully reinforced its neutral and independent stance, ensuring that the country navigates complex global dynamics without being drawn into geopolitical conflicts,” he stated.

Vietnamese defence diplomacy not only fosters a peaceful environment and mitigates conflict risks proactively, but also shapes international mechanisms at both regional and global levels, including ASEAN and beyond. It actively promotes the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM +), which includes ASEAN plus eight key global powers, namely the US, China, Russia, India, Japan, Australia, the Republic of Korea, and New Zealand. This mechanism is expected to welcome future participation from European and North American nations as it works to further strengthen multilateral defense collaboration.

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s engagement in UN peacekeeping operations serves a powerful message to the international community that the country desires peace for itself and for the world. Having endured decades of war, Vietnam is trusted to bring valuable experience in conflict resolution and rebuilding. Therefore, its peacekeepers are particularly welcomed by countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, many of which share similar histories of war and instability.

By contributing knowledge, resilience, and humanitarian efforts, Vietnam is actively shaping a more peaceful world, stressed Dr. Quan.

Moreover, Vietnam’s defence diplomacy plays a crucial role in executing the strategy of protecting the nation from afar, preventing conflicts, and maintaining peace. Further expanding defence relations thereby helps to maintain stability along land borders and protect maritime sovereignty at regional and global forums.

Through technical military cooperation, he said, Vietnam has successfully upgraded, extended the lifespan, and even developed certain military equipment. In his view, preparing for war is the best way to prevent it, as proactive deterrence eliminates threats before they escalate.

Amidst increasing global uncertainties, Dr, Quan assessed that Vietnam’s defence diplomacy must prioritise strategic research and forecasting to navigate complex geopolitical dynamics. Accordingly, it can be viewed as imperative to conduct comprehensive, long-term studies on relationships with major powers that influence global, regional, and national security; proactively identify risks and propose optimal strategies to neutralise external challenges before they escalate; and strengthen defence ties while ensuring national sovereignty and stability, keeping Vietnam engaged yet independent in global affairs.

By staying ahead of global shifts, Vietnam’s defence diplomacy can safeguard national security, maintain peaceful development, and reinforce its position in an ever-changing world, he stated.

40 years of renovation: Vietnam’s diplomacy thrives with rising global stature

VOV.VN - Looking back on nearly 40 years of pursuing the Doi Moi (Renewal) process, it is clear that the strengthening, expansion, upgrading, and elevation of both multilateral and bilateral diplomatic relations have created an open, comprehensive, and sustainable diplomatic landscape, reinforcing the country's stature and position on the international stage.