Expanding honorary consul network to serve national development in new era

The focus was highlighted at the 2nd Conference of Overseas Honorary Consuls of Vietnam, held in the northern province of Quang Ninh on July 30.

Conducted ahead of the 33rd Diplomatic Conference, the event aimed to align consular work with the foreign policy direction set by the 14th National Party Congress, targeting strategic goals for the 2030-2045 period.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang noted that the conference provided an important opportunity to evaluate the actual performance of the network while updating members on the country's new development vision. Based on this, relevant agencies and honorary consuls can proactively build practical partnerships to boost trade and investment connections.

In a review report, Consular Department Director General Doan Hoang Minh stated that since the first conference in 2021, Vietnam has appointed 22 new and re-appointed 32 honorary consuls. The network now comprises 48 honorary consuls operating across Europe (20), Asia-Pacific (11), the Middle East and Africa (10), and the Americas (7).

Although unsalaried and self-funded, these representatives have utilized their personal prestige and resources to support the nation. During the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts in Russia-Ukraine and the Middle East, they assisted in evacuating Vietnamese citizens and ensuring their safety.

Acting as "extended arms" in economic diplomacy and national promotion, honorary consuls have made concrete contributions, including advocating for the ratification of the EVIPA in Cyprus, establishing the Aichi - Vietnam Friendship Association in Japan, and securing the naming of a street "Socialist Republic of Vietnam" in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

To facilitate their work, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised the Government to issue Decree No. 221, granting overseas honorary consuls three-year e-visa exemption cards for the first time. The Consular Department recently proposed issuing 34 such cards.

In the comming time, the Consular Department will continue refining institutional frameworks, identifying dedicated candidates to expand the network, and providing updated economic and investment information to meet the country's needs in the new era.

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