The dialogue held on November 12, bringing together 23 Ambassadors and Consuls General with Vietnamese enterprises and industry associations, has been regarded as one of the most important engagement events of the year. More than a discussion, it reaffirmed the synergy between domestic capabilities and external diplomatic networks in expanding the global presence of Vietnamese products.
Businesses need a stronger information ecosystem
A recurring theme throughout the dialogue was the rapid pace of international market changes. In the textile and garment sector, European and North American sustainability standards are increasingly stringent, putting substantial pressure on producers. Yet most enterprises lack the resources to analyze these evolving regulations in depth.
“Companies cannot track every economic or political shift globally. This is where we need the support of overseas missions,” a Hapro representative remarked. Supporting industries expressed even stronger demand for help in identifying high-tech investors—an area where Vietnam’s diplomatic network holds an advantage.
Vietnam’s missions abroad: the bridge between products and partners
Deputy Minister Đỗ Hùng Việt reiterated that ambassadors place national interests first. In addition to political diplomacy, they increasingly serve as ambassadors for Vietnamese brands—right down to the products used in official events and daily work.
Vietnamese embassies and consulates function as a three-tier bridge:
• Providing essential market intelligence: policy updates, consumer trends, regulatory changes.
• Connecting businesses to suitable partners: importers, distributors, and potential investors.
• Assisting with issues encountered abroad: legal matters, market barriers, or administrative procedures.
However, for this system to operate effectively, diplomatic missions require timely and clear information. If companies reveal trade promotion plans only shortly before implementation, the missions cannot secure high-quality partners.
Economic diplomacy: more than 50% of total workload
Ambassador Phạm Thanh Bình stated that economic diplomacy now constitutes the largest share of mission activities. From promoting agricultural exports to building supply chain partnerships and handling on-the-ground issues for Vietnamese firms, these tasks are constant and demanding.
Vietnam’s overseas diplomatic presence is expanding, with four new missions to be established soon. Together with 94 existing missions, this network will offer Vietnamese businesses broader coverage across key global markets.
Active participation from businesses is crucial
Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that diplomacy cannot support effectively without understanding industry specifics. If businesses do not share detailed plans, data, or needs, matching them with partners abroad becomes significantly more challenging.
Industry associations are encouraged to act as focal points—aggregating needs across their sectors and maintaining regular communication with overseas missions. This coordinated approach will be far more effective than fragmented, one-to-one requests.
Toward a more proactive support model
The dialogue highlighted the importance of evolving the relationship between enterprises and diplomatic missions into a strategic, long-term partnership. Businesses must be more proactive and transparent in planning, while overseas missions continue to expand their role as facilitators of market access.
With stronger coordination, Vietnamese goods can enhance their competitiveness and gain firmer ground across major global markets. In an era of intensified global competition, such cooperation will be essential for elevating Vietnam’s standing in global supply chains.