Scientific seminar "Viet Nam's Foreign Policy in 2025: From International Context to Strategic Choices"

On December 19, 2025, the Faculty of History and International Relations, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City organized a scientific seminar themed "Viet Nam's Foreign Policy in 2025: From International Context to Strategic Choices". The seminar was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ha Anh Tuan, Acting Dean of the Faculty of International Politics and Diplomacy, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

Photo: Lecturers of the Faculty of History and International Relations taking a commemorative photo with the speaker. Source: IRNews Current Affairs Club

Dr. Tran Nguyen Khang - Head of the International Relations major, Faculty of History and International Relations, stated that in recent years, Viet Nam has been one of the countries susceptible to international tensions and various traditional and non-traditional security challenges in the region. Consequently, this situation requires skillful diplomatic strategies to ensure development, security, and the enhancement of Viet Nam's position.

Photo: Dr. Tran Nguyen Khang - Head of the International Relations major delivering the opening speech. Source: IRNews Current Affairs Club

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ha Anh Tuan presented a paper titled "International and Regional Situation & Viet Nam's Foreign Policy in 2025". The speaker referenced the assessment in the 13th National Party Congress Document that "The world is undergoing major, rapid, complex, and unpredictable changes," emphasizing the volatile nature of the current global situation. According to the speaker's analysis, the world is being impacted by various factors such as: shifts in the balance of power between nations, the impact of the 4th Industrial Revolution, the rise of non-state actors and the trend of "decentralization", the need to reform and shape international institutions, as well as profound changes in social structures and the global division of labor. In addition, the speaker also clarified the major shifts in the current global landscape, notably the increasingly unpredictable strategic competition between major powers, which poses global challenges.

Photo: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ha Anh Tuan (Speaker) presenting the paper. Source: IRNews Current Affairs Club

From this context, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ha Anh Tuan pointed out the multi-dimensional impacts on Viet Nam. In general, peace, cooperation, and development remain the major trends; Viet Nam's position has been continuously enhanced after nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (Renovation). At the same time, the trends of green transition and digital transformation open up many opportunities to adjust growth models across various sectors. However, Viet Nam also faces many challenges, from the consequences of international conflicts, strategic competition between major powers, and the East Sea issues, to increasingly unpredictable non-traditional security risks. Based on this, the speaker emphasized the goals, guidelines, principles, and core content of Viet Nam's foreign policy in the spirit of the 13th National Party Congress.

Photo: Attendees asking questions to the speaker. Source: IRNews Current Affairs Club

Attendees expressed interest in issues related to Viet Nam's foreign policy in the face of global fluctuations. Questions revolved around soft power in Viet Nam's foreign policy, the role of cultural diplomacy, how to maintain a neutral stance in cooperation with major powers, and issues concerning the East Sea. Through the Q&A session, the speaker further clarified academic arguments as well as practical issues raised within the seminar's framework.

Photo: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ha Anh Tuan and Dr. Tran Nguyen Khang posing with souvenirs. Source: IRNews Current Affairs Club

Through the presentation, the seminar contributed to providing a systematic view of the major shifts in the global and regional situation over the past year, while affirming the spirit of the 13th National Party Congress in the process of planning and building Viet Nam's foreign policy. Thereby, the program not only approached international current affairs from an academic perspective but also acted as a bridge connecting theory and practice in the study of Viet Nam's future foreign policy.

Photo: Group photo of participants with the speaker and faculty lecturers. Source: IRNews Current Affairs Club

Content and images: IRNews Current Affairs Club

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