Vietnam's 33rd Foreign Affairs Conference Focuses on Diplomatic Coordination

On 4 August, Chairman of the National Assembly Trần Thanh Mẫn met with the Foreign Ministry delegation and Vietnamese ambassadors and heads of overseas missions during the 33rd Foreign Affairs Conference. He thanked the diplomats, highlighted the Parliament’s support for foreign policy, and directed further improvements to the legal framework governing overseas representation.

Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng, speaking at the plenary session, stressed that diplomacy must serve national development. He outlined three priority tasks: a radical renewal of thinking and methods, shifting from mere promotion to concrete support for businesses and localities, and ensuring that signed agreements are implemented, projects funded and facilities operated.

Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung reported that Vietnamese missions abroad carried out more than 1,200 trade‑promotion activities, supported over 550 local‑level exchanges, and helped conclude roughly 230 international cooperation agreements. He noted Vietnam now maintains diplomatic relations with 194 countries and has comprehensive partnerships with all five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

A joint session of the Ministries of Defence, Public Security and Foreign Affairs evaluated the need for tighter coordination in the “new era” of external affairs, emphasizing that security, defence and diplomacy are interlinked priorities for the country’s rapid, sustainable development.