National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue addressing the meeting. Photo: Minh Duc/VNA

Chairman Hue said foreign affairs have become a prominent highlight of Vietnam’s overall achievements in recent years. He praised the National Assembly's foreign affairs activities which, he said, strongly promote the State’s diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy. Mr. Hue said:  “The diplomatic sector needs to constantly innovate, and be creative and flexible in foreign policy thinking. Diplomats should conduct foreign affairs imbued with the identity of Vietnamese bamboo as directed by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, who said diplomacy must always be steadfast in principles and flexible in strategy. Balanced, harmonious relations with partners, especially major powers, are essential to ensure national interests that accord with the basic principles of the UN Charter, international law, equality, cooperation, and mutual benefit.”

The Vietnamese National Assembly and its leaders, he said, will continue to give top priority to the diplomatic sector when considering and deciding on issues within their jurisdiction to ensure that the global standing of Vietnam’s diplomacy improves and aligns with the country’s unprecedented "potential, fortune, position, and international prestige", as highlighted at the 13th National Party Congress.