Vietnam: A friendly country with a strong aspiration

This meaningful visit comes at a time when our country celebrates its 45th anniversary of joining the United Nations; has just successfully fulfilled its role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, and has just been elected as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term.

Warm, peaceful atmosphere

In the domestic and international press space,image of the head of the United Nationspresent at many locations in Vietnam occupying positions in many publications. The UN Secretary-General has two days to stay in Vietnam, and according to observers, his work schedule is almost full. During the visit, Mr. António Guterres laid a wreath and visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, visited the Presidential Palace Relic Site; paid a courtesy call to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong; attended the official welcoming ceremony, held talks with President Nguyen Xuan Phuc; met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue...

On the afternoon of October 21, 2022, at the Party Central Committee Headquarters, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong received United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. Photo: VOV

As shared by the head of the world's largest multilateral organization, 45 years ago when it first joined the United Nations, Vietnam was a poor and backward country, but now Vietnam is becoming a dynamic economy not only in the region but also in the world. Vietnam's position and role are increasingly respected and appreciated at the United Nations forum. When talking and having dialogue with Vietnamese youth and students, the UN Secretary-General expressed his emotion at being welcomed in the warm and affectionate atmosphere of the Vietnamese people throughout his journey to visit and work in this peaceful and beautiful country.

A friendly, hospitable country

In fact, not only the man from his native Portugal felt the warmth and hospitality of the people across the S-shaped strip of land, but before him, many heads of state and political activists visited Vietnam. Surely the world media still preserves very ordinary images - ordinary to the point of being special of this country. That is the late French President Francois Mitterrand walking on the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake (Hanoi); that is US President Bill Clinton being welcomed by the people of the capital when he came to Hanoi to normalize diplomatic relations after 25 years of ending the war in Vietnam. Mr. Bill Clinton, his wife and daughter visited Vietnam many times after that. The Vietnamese people still have not forgotten the image of Mrs. Hillary Clinton wearing a conical hat touring around this special country.

Vietnamese people warmly welcomed US President Bill Clinton. Photo: Document

Also from the United States, there is the image of President Barack Obama, simple and natural, when he went to a humble restaurant to enjoy the traditional Vietnamese dish of bun cha on Le Van Huu Street in Hanoi. There is also the image of Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull eating banh mi on the sidewalk in Da Nang City; Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau jogging on the banks of the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal in Ho Chi Minh City. More specifically, Vietnam is the country chosen by US President Donald Trump and North Korean President Kim Jong-un to host the second US - North Korea Summit on February 28, 2019. Westerners and the world were amazed and bowed their heads to the Vietnamese State and people. A country that has not been ravaged by war for a century. However, the world did not see a resentful, hostile Vietnam; instead, the Vietnamese people showed the world a friendly, peaceful and well-intentioned Vietnam. Therefore, it is understandable that UN Secretary-General António Guterres feels the warm atmosphere wherever he goes in this country.

A reliable and responsible partner

At the ceremony to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to the United Nations (September 20, 1977 - September 20, 2022), President Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed his gratitude for the United Nations' assistance to the Vietnamese people during the post-war reconstruction period. President Nguyen Xuan Phuc mentioned the food and medical aid programs that the United Nations provided to the Vietnamese people during the most difficult years. On the other hand, in recent years, with its deep integration into the world economy, politics and culture under the leadership of the United Nations, Vietnam has shown itself to be a responsible partner country.

Vietnam peacekeeping force holds a ceremony to depart for the United Nations mission at the UNISFA mission. Photo: VOV

Vietnam's participation in the United Nations' pillars has affirmed this.Vietnamese missions participating in peacekeepingin South Sudan, in the Central African Republic or in Abyei have increasingly helped to clarify the role of the United Nations in international issues. Vietnam has become a leading country in the region, actively participating and making an important contribution to promoting world peace.

A strong belief of the nation

But the viewpoint of our Party and Government is not ambiguous, not exchanging national interests for some illusory power. The highest goal of Vietnam is to protect the country's independence and autonomy, and protect the happiness of the people. Therefore, the consistent viewpoint of our Party and State is not to join a military alliance, not to ally with one country to fight another; not to allow foreign countries to set up military bases or use Vietnamese territory to fight against other countries, not to use force or threaten to use force in international relations. Besides, Vietnam is also a country that actively and fully implements international commitments, effectively implementing the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

While the visit of the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres to Vietnam was taking place, somewhere in cyberspace, some subjects tried to create a so-called “joint letter” to the Secretary General of the United Nations. There were scattered calls from some non-governmental organizations hiding from abroad, wanting to request through the head of the United Nations that Vietnam release some criminals who were labeled as “environmental activists”. Then there were the things that were constantly being talked about such as: “court of conscience”, “human rights”… Remember, it is not by chance that recentlyVietnam elected as member of the United Nations Human Rights Councilterm 2023 - 2025. This and all that has been mentioned above contribute to dispelling international doubts about Vietnam in the trend of integration and development. This is also, according to the latest assessment of the World Bank (WB), in 2022, Vietnam's economic growth rate is forecast to reach 7.2%. Vietnam is one of the two countries in the world with the most positive growth rate this year. Vietnam has used many ways to realize its aspiration of becoming strong and we have every reason to believe in that.

Hanoi City. Photo: VOV