Solid and Flexible Vietnam’s Bamboo Diplomacy Praised by Swiss Journalist

Vietnam’s “bamboo diplomacy” and “Make in Vietnam” chip production efforts have been highlighted by Swiss journalist Guy Mettan in an article published on online newspaper bonpourlatete.com on January 12.

The article was released ahead of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s attendance at the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, according to VNA.

The article of Swiss journalist Guy Mettan. Photo: VNA

In the early 2000s, the author visited Vietnam several times to prepare for a book on the Geneva Accords, which ended the war and restored peace in Indochina in 1954. The author was fascinated by the remarkable changes in the country since then.

The article mentions that 2023 was a busy year for Vietnam, with its “bamboo diplomacy” policy and efforts to become a new hub of the semiconductor industry. Vietnam took full advantage of the opportunities brought by the international situation, increasing its foreign activities and strengthening relations with its partners.

Last year, Vietnam had a range of high-level foreign activities with other countries, including state visits by US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

For the first time, the Holy See has a resident papal representative in Vietnam. This marked a historic moment in diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Holy See.

The author writes that Vietnam expects GDP growth of 6-6.5% in 2024, thanks to robust imports and exports, as well as stronger manufacturing activity.

Vietnam aims to become a new center of the semiconductor industry, with a series of investment projects worth billions of dollars. The country plans to master 100% of the production stages of “Make in Vietnam” chips and intends to train 50,000 specialized engineers by 2030.

Vietnam is attracting more big semiconductor companies from the US, South Korea, and Taiwan. It accounts for over 10% of the total number of semiconductor chips imported into the US and ranks third in chip exports to the US, after Malaysia and Taiwan.

Argentina’s Equilibrium Global news website recently ran a story highlighting the unique values of Vietnam’s “Bamboo diplomacy” and the rising role of the Southeast Asian country in the world arena.

The article comments that Vietnam’s “Bamboo diplomacy” demonstrates strategic balance in relations with world powers and the world, based on the core principles of ensuring national interest, independence, and self-reliance in external relations, deeply rooted in President Ho Chi Minh’s diplomatic ideology.

The article further states that Vietnam’s “Bamboo diplomacy” has elevated its role in the international arena, enabling the country to maintain relations with world powers while safeguarding its national interests.

It affirms that through the application of “Bamboo diplomacy,” Vietnam has established itself as a trustworthy partner and an active and responsible member in the international and regional integration process.