Mexico City (VNA)𒆙 – The similarities in foreign policies is the string that binds the relations betweenVietnam and Latin American countries throughout history, according topoliticians and media.

Speaking on the occasion of Vietnam's 32nd NationalDiplomatic Conference which opened in Hanoi on December 19, they affirmed that thesimilarities include steadfastness and consistency in applying external principles, but also showing openness, and adaptiveness to changes in the world situation. Alfredo Femat Bañuelos, Chairman of the MexicanChamber of Deputies' Foreign Affairs Committee and Chairman of the Mexico - VietnamFriendship Parliamentarians' Group, said that since Mexico and Vietnamestablished diplomatic relations in 1975 when Vietnam just gained independence,the two countries have continuously maintained and tightened their relationship inall aspects, despite many changes in the world. In particular, Mexico's establishment ofdiplomatic relations with Vietnam was an important step in affirming thesovereignty and self-determination of both Mexico and Vietnam, thereby helping to affirm and consolidate Vietnam's independence, whilehighlighting the role of Mexico and Latin American countries in theinternational arena. According to the Mexican official, the strongconnection between Mexico and Vietnam is a clear demonstration of theprinciples and values that the two countries have shared, including similarities instruggles for national liberation, foreign policies, and culture. Regarding the achievements of Vietnamesediplomacy, Bañuelos affirmed that the correct foreign policy hascontributed to highlighting Vietnam's position in the international arena with many contributions to the world. Similarly, effective diplomatic activities have alsopromoted the positive image of Vietnam to international friends, he said. Meanwhile, Pedro Gellert, ajournalist of Regeneración newspaper, the official organ of the rulingparty National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) in Mexico, one of the importantcontributions that Vietnam’s diplomatic sector has made over the past years isto help the world better understand Vietnam that consistently follows the path of socialismwith outstanding socio-economic development achievements. Having studied Vietnam for years, thejournalist affirmed that similar to many Latin American countries, Vietnam'sforeign policy is developed from domestic policy such as the principle ofnon-interference in each other's internal affairs, maintaining dialogue,peacefully resolving differences between countries and relations based on theprinciples of equality and mutual respect. From Venezuela, journalist Ángel MiguelBastidas González of Correo del Orinoco newspaper highlighted the significanceof Vietnam's "bamboo diplomacy" policy. He emphasised that with thispolicy, Vietnam has been very successful in maintaining relations with majorpowers, while ensuring national interests. According to the journalist who had worked in theVenezuelan diplomatic mission in Vietnam, the core guiding principles ofVietnam's "bamboo diplomacy" policy are national interests,independence, self-reliance, diversification, and multilateralisation of foreignrelations. These principles originated from President Ho Chi Minh's diplomaticideology and are the foundation for the country's foreign policy./.