Foreign affairs propel Hai Phong forward

Memorable milestones

The photos and documents on foreign affairs (including those of former Hai Duong province and Hai Phong city) on display at the National Achievements Exhibition vividly retrace the journey from tentative first steps to flexible, proactive, and increasingly professional operations that have continuously improved the quality of Hai Phong’s diplomacy.

Many visitors lingered over the faded photographs capturing historic moments. After the signing of the Geneva Agreement in 1954, Hai Phong became the gathering place of French troops and the city with the largest foreign population in Northern Vietnam.

Immediately after taking over the city, the local leaders quickly recognized the role of foreign affairs in promoting development, gaining international support, and consolidating Hai Phong’s position in the new context. In March 1955, the city’s first foreign affairs apparatus was officially established, marking the beginning of a 70-year journey of steady, comprehensive, and proud progress.

Each piece of information and photo on display is a diplomatic milestone in Hai Phong’s process of reaching out to the world, including photos of President Luong Cuong and Hai Phong leaders handing over investment certificates and memoranda of cooperation, the city People’s Committee signing a memorandum of cooperation with Cheongju city; and a handover ceremony for investment registration certificates and memoranda of cooperation totaling 15.6 billion USD.

“I can see the city’s efforts to expand diplomatic ties and promote trade with many countries around the world. The city’s spirit of learning and proactive integration is remarkable, inspiring our generation to make the most of these better conditions,” said Do Minh Hien, a second-year student at Hai Phong University.

Pride today, aspirations for tomorrow

Over 70 years, from its founding in 1955 until today, Hai Phong’s foreign affairs have undergone many stages, from managing and protecting foreigners to welcoming overseas Vietnamese, safeguarding international expert delegations during wartime, expanding twinning relations with foreign localities, promoting trade, and mobilizing international aid.

Especially, since the 1986 renewal period, the city’s foreign affairs sector has vigorously implemented an open-door policy, proactively attracting investment and laying a solid foundation for deeper international integration.

In recent decades, Hai Phong’s foreign affairs have reaped remarkable achievements. The city established cooperative ties with 26 international localities. Economic diplomacy leads the way with 52 cooperation agreements in various fields, the opening of three international air routes, and FDI inflows from 42 countries.

Cultural diplomacy, external communications, and UNESCO advocacy have also left a strong mark, with the inscription of Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago as a World Natural Heritage site and the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son – Kiep Bac complex as a World Cultural Heritage site.

Between 2015 and 2025, Hai Phong has continued to stand out with hundreds of cultural exchanges, increased international media coverage, and raised over 53 million USD in NGO aid.

The city has also strengthened connections with overseas Vietnamese, with 2.8 billion USD in remittances over 10 years, contributing to socio-economic development and improving people’s livelihoods.

During his recent working visit to Hai Phong, Party General Secretary To Lam emphasized his expectation that Hai Phong would rise to become a modern international port city and a hub for education, science, and technology comparable to Asia. This is both a goal and a driving force for the city’s foreign affairs sector to continue fulfilling its role as a “reliable bridge,” accompanying Hai Phong on its path of deep international integration.

BUI HANH