The gathering included chargés d’affaires, representatives, press attachés, and media and culture officers from foreign diplomatic representative agencies and international organizations, along with numerous reporters and press assistants from foreign news bureaus based in Vietnam.

The event offered an opportunity for the ministry, diplomatic agencies and resident foreign media to review their cooperation over the past year, exchange expectations for the year ahead and further strengthen long-term ties and friendship.

In her remarks, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang highlighted 2025 as a milestone year for Vietnam, marked by historic anniversaries and major strategic breakthroughs.

The successful organization of the 80th National Day celebrations and the 50th anniversary of national reunification shows Vietnam’s proud history as well as the image of a peaceful, dynamic Vietnam entering a new period of development.

She noted that Vietnam’s strong GDP growth, among the highest in Southeast Asia, record trade levels and surging foreign direct investment underscored the economy’s momentum and the confidence international investors place in the country’s prospects.

Diplomatic activities in 2025 have progressed with notable dynamism. Alongside maintaining ties with 194 countries, the country has upgraded relations with 17 partners, bringing the number of comprehensive-level partnerships and above to 42. Its election to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term with a high vote count, and the successful hosting of major multilateral events including the signing ceremony of the UN Cybercrime Convention (“the Hanoi Convention”), the second ASEAN Future Forum and the P4G Summit, reinforced Vietnam’s reputation as a reliable partner and a proactive, responsible member of the international community.

The Vietnamese diplomat emphasized that Vietnam’s achievements over the past year were made possible with the support and cooperation of the international community, particularly foreign embassies and the reporters and assistants working in resident foreign news bureaus, who help convey an objective, relatable and vivid image of a dynamic and friendly Vietnam to international friends.

She expressed appreciation for the cooperation of foreign correspondents and affirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would continue to provide access to information, facilitate procedures and offer the best possible conditions for foreign press activities in Vietnam. The issuance of new regulations officially waiving work-permit requirements for resident foreign correspondents (Decree 219/2025), along with the expedited approval of new and reactivated foreign news bureaus, demonstrated the ministry’s commitment to stepping up comprehensive cooperation with the international media community.

Looking ahead to 2026-a year of special significance for Vietnam as it hosts the 14th National Party Congress, elects new People’s Councils for the 2026-2031 term, advances key diplomatic activities and prepares for major multilateral events such as APEC 2027, Deputy FM Hang expressed hope for continued participation and support from foreign diplomatic agencies, international organizations and resident foreign media, particularly in amplifying stories and images of a peaceful, dynamic and modern Vietnam.

Drawing on the symbolism of the Horse in Eastern culture, representing energy, speed and endurance, and reflecting the spirit and atmosphere in Vietnam today, Deputy FM Le Thi Thu Hang and the guests exchanged well-wishes for a prosperous, peaceful and energetic Year of the Horse 2026 for all nations in the world.

Diplomatic agencies meet in Lunar New Year

The Vietnamese Embassy in France and the Vietnamese Defence Attaché Corps in Laos on January 30 organised activities to see in the Lunar New Year.