Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu: Heads of representative offices must shift strongly from implementing activities to creating value.

Permanent Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu emphasized that, right from the beginning of their term, each Head of Representative Office needs to clearly define what achievements they will leave behind for the locality and for the country after their term ends. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Permanent Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu emphasized that the responsibility of Head of a Representative Office requires not only knowledge, skills, and practical experience, but more importantly, sharp thinking, sound judgment, flexible problem-solving abilities, effective work organization, and the ability to unite and leverage collective strength.

In the context of increasingly demanding foreign affairs work, the head of the diplomatic mission must thoroughly understand the Party's foreign policy guidelines, especially the Resolution of the 14th National Congress and Resolution No. 06-NQ/TW dated May 19, 2026 of the Politburo ; and simultaneously implement all three pillars of foreign affairs: Party diplomacy, State diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that, right from the beginning of their term, each Head of Representative Office needs to clearly define what results they will leave behind for their locality and for the country after their term. Instead of spreading resources thinly to maintain regular operations, they should choose key priorities and breakthroughs that are appropriate to the characteristics of each locality, proactively seeking new ways to create new value.

According to the Deputy Minister, diplomatic missions need to become important focal points in identifying, connecting, and mobilizing international resources to serve national development. Heads of diplomatic missions should proactively seek markets, capital flows, technology, knowledge, talent, and innovation networks; and strengthen connections with corporations, universities, research institutes, technology centers, experts, and the Vietnamese community in their host countries.

Overview of the Opening Ceremony. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

For strategic areas such as science and technology, innovation, digital transformation , artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and strategic technologies, the Deputy Minister requested proactive learning, finding the right people, the right partners, and the right opportunities; developing a specific relationship into a cooperation program, investment project, technology transfer activity, or a network of experts with practical value for the country.

Another crucial requirement is to improve the quality of situational awareness, forecasting, and advisory services. The head of the diplomatic mission must closely monitor political, economic , foreign affairs, security, and social developments; not only recognizing what has already happened but also identifying emerging issues, potential problems, and their impact on Vietnam. When new, complex, or sensitive developments arise, timely reporting and advice are necessary to avoid being caught off guard; all assessments and handling of matters must stem from the national interest.

The Deputy Minister also requested that the representative offices be built to truly serve the public, first and foremost the national interest, while also serving the people, businesses, and agencies and localities within the country. Consular work, citizen protection, business support, local connections, and services for working delegations need to be carried out professionally and effectively, so that the representative offices become a reliable support for Vietnamese people and businesses abroad.

Permanent Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu poses for a commemorative photo with delegates attending the Opening Ceremony. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

Furthermore, the head of the agency must pay special attention to Party building, team building, and collective development; building a united, disciplined, and professional diplomatic mission, and maximizing the capabilities of each staff member. The Deputy Minister noted that the prestige of the diplomatic mission and the diplomatic sector is built upon each staff member, each action, and each decision of the head; therefore, the head of the diplomatic mission must set an example and be responsible for the unit's activities.

The Deputy Minister expects the program to help trainees not only supplement their knowledge but also prepare their thinking, methods, and tools for building orientations and action plans for their entire term; proactively exchange views with Ministry leaders, senior Ambassadors, experts, and units on practical issues in their respective areas.