Sydney (VNA) – Vietnam’s increasing middle-power status in the Asia-Pacific region has sparkedinterest on its successful foreign diplomacy, which is known as “bamboodiplomacy”, said Layton Pike, Co-founder of the Australia Vietnam PolicyInstitute (AVPI).

During a recent interviewgranted to the Vietnam News Agency, Layton said bamboois an ideal metaphor for Vietnam’s foreign outlook.

Bamboo "is deeply embedded in Vietnamese culture and history and portraysresilience, solidarity, and strength. Its roots are coremetaphorical guiding principles used to form Vietnam’s foreign policy acrossits national interests, diversification efforts, and strategies in formingmulti-dimensional relations and engagements," he said.


According to the Australian expert, despite domestic issues surfacing, Vietnam continues aconsidered and proactive approach to its foreign policy.

He noted that Vietnamese leaders always prioritise international outreach, often withlarge delegations, and its domestic reception of visiting dignitaries is alwaysspectacular, stressing that this approach is consistent across global powersfrom China, the USA, Russia, Japan, India and now Australia.

Vietnam has proven that it is a friend to many and consistent in its approach,he said.

Layton said in Australia, bamboo is often seen as a relenting root system and something which rarely stops growing. Australians would agree on the resilience and deep roots of bamboo. We would also agree that bamboo continues to grow, higher and higher, with high aspiration. It is these shared attributes that we see reflected in the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and Australia," according to Layton.

As Australia and Vietnamboth look outward and play an increasingly influential role in the region, itis expected that both countries will continue to deepen collaboration and sharedinterests, the experts said, adding that the success of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to Hanoi inJune 2023, and the importance he placed on building relationships andexperiencing Vietnamese culture, will have positive flow on effects for yearsto come.

Layton said Australia believesin the consistency and friendship of Vietnam and the success of its bamboodiplomacy.

The relationship between the two countries is based on shared values,including independence, equality and the rule of law. And together these arethe values that guide Australia and Vietnam’s joint effort to promote stabilityand prosperity in the region, he stated./.