Vietnam proactively expands its external relations (photo:VGP)

In the Constitution revisions, external affairs which are defined in Article 12 inherit the basic principles in external affairs of the Vietnamese Party and State in the 1992 Constitution. Vietnam aims to maintain peace, friendship, and cooperation with all nations without regard to political and social regimes, based on the principle of respecting independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and not interfering in each other’s internal affairs.

The current Constitution says Vietnam follows a policy of peace and friendship. The revised Constitution mentions it as Vietnam’s external affairs orientation, promoting it to a higher level than a policy and illustrating Vietnam’s commitment to consistently implementing its external affairs orientation.

Article 12 stresses Vietnam’s independent, self-reliant, creative, and maturing status. The revisions for the first time underline that Vietnam is a good friend, reliable partner, and responsible member of the international community. This change will guide Vietnam’s external affairs activities in the future. It contains the essence of friendship and cooperative ties and the large scale of the relations. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Phuong Nga says: "The Constitution revisions have inherited the principles and traditions of Vietnam’s external affairs since its independence and during its development periods. It suits the national growth in the context of new developments in the region and the world. The revision on national external affairs orientation and 2 amendments are solid, specifying that Vietnam is a friend, reliable partner, and responsible member of the international community, that the people’s armed forces are responsible for protecting regional and world peace, and that all people should get involved in national construction and international assignments."

Some opinions suggested specifying that Vietnam is proactively integrating into the world. Vietnam’s cooperation with other countries has been diverse, not only in economics and trade but also in cultural, social, military, and security issues. Some opinions recommended mentioning that Vietnam has abided by international agreements to which it is a signatory, to illustrate that Vietnam is a responsible member of the international community. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Phuong Nga again: "A common trend in the world is to give prominence to international law in regulating international relations. Constitutions of many countries contain commitments to international peace and cooperation. In order to illustrate the Vietnamese government’s commitment to being a friend, reliable partner, and responsible member of the international community, it’s necessary to add to Article 12 that the Socialist Republic of Vietnam complies with international agreements that it has signed." 

External affairs regulations in the 1992 Constitution revisions highlight the Party and State’s renewed orientations in the national renewal and development process.