Changes in mindset in foreign relations needed to promote economic development: Minister
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien proposed a number of measures to promote external relations to adapt to the new situation and boost post-pandemic economic development at the National Conference on Foreign Affairs on December 14.
Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien proposed a number of measures to promote external relations to adapt to the new situation and boost post-pandemic economic development at the National Conference on Foreign Affairs on December 14.
Underlining the need to continue strengthening economic diplomacy to ensure the highest national interest in the new situation, Dien held that it is necessary to institutionalise the Party’s stance and policy on external economic activities to suit international commitments and practices, while promptly building a new strategy on international economic integration through joining free trade agreements, especially new generation FTAs and effectively implementing existing ones.
An overview of the National Conference on Foreign Affairs (Photo: VNA)
Alongside, it is necessary to focus on developing fundamental industrial sectors and form strong industrial firms with close links with the global supply chains, together with the development of breakthrough sectors to match international trends, he said.
The official stressed the need to pay more attention to the role of businesses as the centre of external economic activities by focusing on removing difficulties and obstacles facing them, supporting them in international integration, and speeding up administrative reform to facilitate investment, business as well as import-export activities, and assiting enterprises in expanding operations abroad.
He said that it is crucial to concentrate on building an economy of independence and self-reliance on the basis of multilateralisation and diversification of external economic relations to avoid dependence on a particular market or partner. Together with ensuring harmony in interest, he noted promoting cooperation in shaping common regulations in international labour division to improve the position of Vietnam in the regional and global value, production and supply chains.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien addresses the conference (Photo: VNA)
The minister also underlined the necessity to improve the capacity of agencies and officials engaging in foreign economic activities as well as the business community in issues related to foreign economic strategy, trade protectionism and risks of supply chain crackdown, along with the development of high-quality human resources.
At the conference, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai held that vaccine diplomacy is an evidence of the adaptive and creative diplomatic sector of Vietnam amid the COVID-19. He noted that thanks to the flexible foreign relations activities during the outbreak, the city has received great support from partners around the world in fighting the pandemic and maintaining economic development./.
The National Conference on Foreign Affairs opened in both in-person and virtual forms on December 14, under the chair of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
Vietnam has gained great achievements in foreign relations during over 35 years of implementing the “Doi Moi” (Renewal) cause and pursuing a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, diversification, and active international integration, stated Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh.
Vietnam has been consistently pursuing a spirit of independence and self-reliance to ensure the nation’s best interests. The policy has been persisting throughout the country’s history, from the nation founding and the struggle for independence in the past to today’s sustainable development cause.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
The National Assembly on June 18 passed the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with 408 out of 420 participating deputies voting in favour, accounting for 85.36% of the total.
The Party leader asked the new HCM City to embrace a multi-centre and integrated urban ecosystem where each development pole functions as a link complementary to and intelligently connected with each other in a harmonious whole.
The resolutions issued by the PM as well as ministries and ministry-level agencies reassign responsibility for 346 administrative procedures - 18 from district to provincial levels, 278 to commune level, and 50 eliminated.
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
Vietnamese localities' readiness to implement the two-tier local administration model, the evacuation of 18 Vietnamese citizens from Iran, Petrovietnam's 11th ranking in the 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 are among news highlights on June 17 evening.
The General Secretary underlined the resolve to achieve a growth rate of at least 8% in 2025, laying the groundwork for double-digit growth in the following period. He noted that these are mandatory targets, with no alternative path to success.
Restructuring and improving the quality of officials, civil servants, and public employees is no longer a choice, but an urgent requirement to transition from administrative management to governance in service of the people.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel has advised Vietnamese people living there to proactively prepare and seek ways to leave the country via land border crossings, especially toward Jordan or Egypt, when security and safety conditions allow.
Illustrative image (Source: baodautu.vn) 
An overview of the National Conference on Foreign Affairs (Photo: VNA) 
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien addresses the conference (Photo: VNA) 
