I had very little knowledge of Vietnam when I became interested in it because of several articles comparing that country with ours. One of those articles, a column actually, was “The race is on ” (Inquirer, 1/2/08) by Michael Tan, which used some figures to compare Vietnam to the Philippines and Indonesia. Another is a book by Bob Ong, which noted that unlike the Philippines, which is also “a victim of war,” Vietnam healed and rebuilt itself faster. Tan’s column and Ong’s book noted Vietnam’s fast development and its strategies for success. Let me emphasize that Vietnam’s foreign policy contributed significantly to its progress.

Part of the “Doi Moi” (the name given to Vietnam’s economic reforms) process is its gradual globalization and regionalization. It follows the guideline: “Vietnam wants to be a friend of all other countries in the international community of peace, independence and development.”

Its foreign policy is simple yet compatible with what it needs. It’s what the Vietnamese people long for at a time when the country needs no more war. Slowly, it is creating new ties with other countries while keeping its old friends. Its diplomatic strategy has been so effective that it has “befriended” 170 countries, including all the major ones. It now has trade relations with 165 countries, a fact that has helped its economy a lot. Moreover, this foreign policy has kept the country out of war, thus allowing it to achieve stability. With its diplomatic ties, it has made a mark in the international community.

Being “a friend to all other countries” does not just mean having bilateral agreements; it also means participating in international and regional organizations.

Finally, Vietnam’s active participation in the United Nations paid off when 192 members of the general assembly voted to make it a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. This was the first time that Vietnam was chosen to be a member of one of the most powerful UN organs. Its term starts this January 2008.

I believe that Vietnam’s foreign policy is effective not just because it promotes its national interest but also because it espouses peace and stability.

MA. KRISTINE AGARAO (via email)