“Bamboo diplomacy” aims to protect national interests: expert
The promotion of the "bamboo diplomacy" demonstrates Vietnam's confidence in foreign affairs, and serves the goal of ensuring national interests under all circumstances and at all times, said Dr. Nguyen Hong Hai, a researcher at the Centre for Policy Futures under the University of Queensland in Australia.
Dr. Nguyen Hong Hai, a researcher at the Centre for Policy Futures under the University of Queensland in Australia.
Sydney (VNA) – The promotion of the "bamboodiplomacy" demonstrates Vietnam's confidence in foreign affairs, and servesthe goal of ensuring national interests under all circumstances and at all times,said Dr. Nguyen Hong Hai, a researcher at the Centre for PolicyFutures under the University of Queensland in Australia.
In a recent interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Hai stressed that the “bamboo diplomacy” is also the diplomaticphilosophy of Vietnam.
The idea of “bamboo diplomacy” was first coined by the leader of the CommunistParty of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong, at the 29th diplomacy conference in 2016, during which he highlighted the importance of diplomacy in maintaining peace, preventingconflict, and fostering international cooperation in the context of the rapidlychanging world.
According to Dr. Hai, in order to coin the idea, the Party leader deeply analysed the characteristics of "Vietnamese bamboo".
This diplomacy always upholds the spirit of tolerance, peace and humanity inbehaviour; and flexibility in strategy in order to defence the nation andensure national security for people, Hai said.
It also reflects the nation's resilience and solidarity traditionin maintaining its independence and resisting foreign invaders, Hai said,adding that although tolerant and advocating reconciliation, Vietnam alwaysremains steadfast and resolute in the principle of fighting against foreigninvaders with the spirit of "rather sacrificing everything than losing the country and returning to slavery”.
According to Hai, this diplomacy also features Ho Chi Minh'sideology and diplomatic style, which is a combination between the nation'stradition and culture, the quintessence of humanity, and the practice of his revolutionarycareer.
Inforeign affairs, the leader always considered the interests of the nation and people as the core issue, and did everything for the sake of the nation, Hai stressed, adding that to do this, it is necessaryto strictly follow the principle “taking the unchanging to deal with the changing" – which is also a feature of the bamboo diplomacy.
Hai also mentioned Vietnam’s development and internationalposition since the Communist Party of Vietnam carried out the Doi Moi (renewal)process, highlighting the great contributions of the diplomatic work to the cause.
It can be seen that Vietnam's diplomacy from history to modernity and inpractice today has reflected these characteristics. In other words, Vietnam’s moderndiplomacy embodies the characteristics of Vietnamese bamboo, Haistressed.
He cited the success of the vaccine diplomacy ofVietnam in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and the country’s behaviour amidst instabilityand fierce competition between major powers in the region and the world tospotlight the bamboo diplomacy which has so far contributedto maintaining independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity; creating apeaceful and favourable environment for the country’s development; and at thesame ensuring security, peace, and development in the region and the world./.
Vietnam’s increasing middle-power status in the Asia-Pacific region has sparked interest on its successful foreign diplomacy, which is known as “bamboo diplomacy”, said Layton Pike, Co-founder of the Australia Vietnam Policy Institute (AVPI).
The highly special and unique diplomatic style deeply imbued with the “Vietnamese bamboo” identity, which inherits the legacy of President Ho Chi Minh, has secured a growing role for Vietnam in the international arena, said Dr Ruvislei Gonzalez Saez, Vice President of the Cuba - Vietnam Friendship Association and Director of the International Relations Programme of Cuba.
Vietnam’s “bamboo diplomacy” has been a hallmark of its engagement with the international community, stated Former Governor-General of Australia Peter Cosgroven in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) on achievements of the “bamboo diplomacy”.
Vietnam has built an outstanding and unique school in foreign relations and diplomacy, based on the creative application of the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism, the continuation of tradition and national characteristics of foreign relations, diplomacy and culture, and the conscious selection of the strengths of global culture and the progressive philosophies of the time, said an Iranian scholar.
Vietnam's "bamboo diplomacy" showecases flexibility in the country's foreign relations, which is well-suited to the strategic environment and historical context, said a Japanese scholar.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who is also a Politburo member and Secretary of the Government Party Committee, attended the 4th Party Congress of the EVN Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 tenure on August 10, directing EVN to ensure power supply to meet the country’s development demands with double-digit growth set for the coming years.
Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, along with a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived in Seongnam Air Base in Seoul on August 10 afternoon (local time), beginning a state visit to the Republic of Korea from August 10-13.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly departed from Hanoi on August 10 morning for a four-day state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), which is made at an invitation of RoK President Lee Jae Myung.
As part of the ASEAN Day celebrations, the Vietnamese embassy will also host the ASEAN Family Day 2025 in Ottawa to foster solidarity and community spirit among ASEAN members in Canada.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Dr. Nguyen Hong Hai, a researcher at the Centre for Policy Futures under the University of Queensland in Australia. 
