Informal interactions with foreign guests mark Vietnam's diplomacy 2.0

These casual engagements reshape Vietnam's global image and foster deeper international relationships.

Since the evening of Dec. 5 my Facebook feed has been filled with posts about Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh walking alongside Jensen Huang, the founder and chairman of Nvidia.

The two strolled through Hanoi's streets and enjoyed local foods.

This encounter came with an exciting announcement: an agreement between the government and Nvidia to establish an AI research and development center and an AI data center in Vietnam.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh waves at people as he walks with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in Hanoi's Old Quarter, Dec. 5, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

Historically, foreign leaders visiting Vietnam explored Hanoi or HCMC without Vietnamese officials accompanying them.

For example, French President François Mitterrand toured Hang Bong Street in 1993, U.S. President Bill Clinton visited the Temple of Literature and Hang Bong Street in 2000 and U.S. President Barack Obama dined at a casual bun cha restaurant in Hanoi in 2016.

More recently, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese drank fresh beer on Hanoi's sidewalks in 2023.

However, Vietnam's top leaders have recently begun hosting foreign guests in public spaces, moving beyond formal meeting rooms and rigid protocols.

For example, in July 2023 Chinh and his wife accompanied Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife on a stroll through a book street while sipping coffee.

In November 2023 Chinh and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte casually cycled through Hanoi's streets.

Vietnamese culture has traditionally emphasized hierarchy, often keeping leaders distant from the public. During the feudal era, leaders often established their authority by creating a distance between themselves and the people. The populace was viewed as small, powerless individuals in need of care, guidance, and instruction. This partly explains why open and equal interactions between leaders and citizens were not a common feature of Vietnam’s political culture.

After the August Revolution of 1945, President Ho Chi Minh was among the first leaders to demonstrate a modern leadership style: emphasizing and thoroughly practicing democratic ideals, recognizing that the people are the foundation, and that leaders must always be aware of their mission to serve the people and the nation. Subsequent generations of leaders have also strived to bridge the gap with the public, reflected in their simple attire, approachable demeanor, friendly attitude, and willingness to listen.

But these efforts notwithstanding, formal diplomatic events in Vietnam have often felt out of reach of ordinary citizens. International delegations and leaders were typically seen only in official settings or on media broadcasts, rarely in informal or relatable contexts.

The recent trend of shared meals and casual strolls by Vietnamese leaders and foreign guests marks a new approach to diplomacy.

These interactions reflect a modern, approachable leadership style, making the leaders more relatable while giving foreign guests an authentic glimpse into Vietnamese daily life and culture.

By breaking away from rigid formalities, these casual moments strengthen mutual respect and foster closer ties between Vietnam and its foreign partners. They symbolize a shared commitment to building collaborative futures.

Unsurprisingly, these moments resonate deeply with the Vietnamese public, especially younger people.

Images of leaders engaging informally with foreign guests showcase Vietnam's openness and adaptability to new ideas.

For Vietnam's leaders, these casual outings act as a form of soft power, presenting them as approachable and relatable figures.

Prime Minister Chinh has, for example, often emphasized the government's commitment to addressing business challenges, reinforcing public trust and optimism in Vietnam's future development.

While casual diplomacy through shared meals or informal chats may seem minor, it leaves a lasting impression on both foreign leaders and the public.

These moments build trust and often achieve positive results that formal meetings alone cannot deliver.

*Nguyen Van Dang earned a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Policy from the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University, U.S. He is currently teaching at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics.