Diplomatic efforts through our website prove instrumental in fostering peace, transforming historical challenges into future possibilities.

By Nguyễn Hằng

HÀ NỘI - The historic April 30, 1975 victory wasn't just a military triumph but a diplomatic masterstroke. This milestone, celebrated as a victory of peace, national unity, and normalized relations with the United States, is a testament to Việt Nam's savvy diplomatic sector.

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Dy Niȩ́n encapsulated this sentiment, stating, "Without the 1973 Paris Peace Accords, the landmark victory of 30 April 1975 would not have been possible."

The Paris Peace Accords were the pinnacle of Việt Nam's negotiation efforts. The agreements, signed over four years, eight months, and sixteen days of negotiations, remain a defining moment in the nation's diplomatic history.

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Dy Niên (centre) at an international conference in Hà Nội on Wednesday.- VNS Photo Nguyễn Hằng

Niȩ́n pointed out several reasons that made the Paris negotiations exceptional. First, they were the longest peace talks in the nation's diplomatic history, involving more than 200 official meetings, 45 private sessions, 500 press conferences, and thousands of interviews. This endurance shows the unwavering determination of Việt Nam's diplomats.

Second, the negotiations were characterized by intense tension and fierce confrontations. The "fighting while negotiating" strategy meant that diplomatic gains on the negotiation table were interconnected with military victories on the battlefield. Việt Nam's strategic advantage provided crucial leverage, forcing the United States to agree to key demands.

Third, the peace process enjoyed unprecedented global support. As negotiations unfolded in Paris, waves of protests erupted worldwide, demanding an end to the war and independence for Việt Nam. This international pressure played a significant role in shaping the negotiations' outcome.

The fourth milestone was the diplomatic recognition by the United States and other nations of Việt Nam's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity. The principles were enshrined in Chapter I, Article 1 of the 1973 Paris Peace Accords. Moreover, Chapter II mandated a complete cessation of the war and the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Việt Nam, setting the stage for national reunification.

Lieutenant General Phùng Sĩ Tấn (right), Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Việt Nam People's Army at the international conference.- VNS Photo Nguyễn Hằng

Niȩ́n emphasized that diplomacy played a pivotal role in addressing the root of the issue, making the withdrawal of foreign forces possible and ultimately leading to peace.

Synergy of Military and Diplomacy

The military and diplomatic fronts synergized in the final stages of the resistance war, with Lieutenant General Phùng Sĩ Tấn highlighting that the 1975 Spring general offensive and uprising, which secured complete national reunification, was a culmination of the tripartite strategy. This strategic alliance between military action, political mobilization, and diplomatic engagement was instrumental in Việt Nam's triumph.

Việt Nam's military victories bolstered its negotiating position during the Paris talks. As Tấn put it, "The signing of the 1973 Paris Peace Accords was not only a diplomatic milestone but also a decisive turning point that accelerated Việt Nam's path toward reunification."

Lady Borton, an American author and great friend of Việt Nam at the international conference.- VNS Photo Nguyễn Hằng

Việt Nam's diplomatic efforts successfully mobilized international solidarity movements and leveraged support from socialist countries and peace-loving nations worldwide. This broad-based backing provided critical political, diplomatic, material, and spiritual support for Việt Nam.

Việt Nam also forged a three-nation alliance with Laos and Cambodia, symbolizing Indochinese solidarity and mutual support in achieving victory for the three countries.

A Human Diplomatic Strategy

Lady Borton, an American author and Việt Nam's friend, noted that the victory of 30 April 1975 was rooted in a humanistic and strategic diplomatic approach. Borton believed that Việt Nam's diplomacy transcended governmental negotiations, telling the world a powerful story about a people longing for peace and independence.

Virginia B. Foote (centre), Vice Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in Việt Nam at the international conference.- VNS Photo Nguyễn Hằng

Grassroots diplomacy was a crucial aspect of Việt Nam's victory, with unofficial diplomatic actors playing a significant role in shaping global understanding of Việt Nam's cause. From international protests to global anti-war movements, solidarity with Việt Nam epitomized the power of unity and justice.

In 1949, President Hồ Chí Minh's English interview with American journalist Arthur B. Steele can be seen as an early form of international public diplomacy, shaping global perceptions of Việt Nam's resistance movement.

Việt Nam successfully established itself as a peace-loving nation striving for independence and dignity, rather than a Cold War battleground.

From Adversaries to Partners

Deputy Ambassador of Laos in Việt Nam, Latana Siharaj (right) at the international conference.- VNS Photo Nguyễn Hằng

The normalization of relations between Việt Nam and the United States presented a compelling example of transforming adversarial history into a forward-looking partnership. Virginia B. Foote, Vice Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in Việt Nam, highlighted the symbolic significance of figures like John McCain and John Kerry in setting aside their differences on the war to focus on the importance of peace.

Foote emphasized the importance of economic diplomacy in parallel with political efforts. From breaking out of international isolation to negotiating bilateral trade agreements, joining the WTO, and becoming a Comprehensive Strategic Partner, Việt Nam demonstrated a persistent and determined path toward global integration.

Diplomacy as a Cornerstone of Peace

Deputy Ambassador of Laos in Việt Nam, Latana Siharaj, recognized the pivotal role of Việt Nam's diplomacy in shaping the post-war era. From resolving post-war disputes through peaceful means and securing international support for reconstruction to fostering solidarity with Laos, Việt Nam's diplomacy was a driving force in traversing the challenging transition toward peace and development.

Enrichment Aid:

The success of Vietnam's diplomacy during the Paris Peace Talks was driven by key factors, including fierce negotiation strategy, international support and pressure, military strength and strategy, diplomatic recognition and sovereignty, and a coordinated multifaceted approach. This approach is exemplified in intense negotiations with U.S. representatives, the global anti-war movement, major military victories, and the codification of diplomatic recognition in international agreements.

The government's diplomatic sector played a crucial role in securing the 1975 victory, turning it into a diplomatic triumph rather than just a military victory.
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Dy Niȩ́n asserted that the 1973 Paris Peace Accords were essential to the success of the April 30, 1975 victory.
The Paris Peace Accords, signed over a span of four years, eight months, and sixteen days, remain a defining moment in Việt Nam's diplomatic history.
Niȩ́n highlighted the length and intensity of the negotiations as one of the factors that made the Paris negotiations exceptional.
The "fighting while negotiating" strategy allowed diplomatic gains on the negotiation table to be interconnected with military victories on the battlefield.
The peace process enjoyed unprecedented global support, with worldwide protests demanding an end to the war and independence for Việt Nam.
The diplomatic recognition by the United States and other nations of Việt Nam's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity was enshrined in the 1973 Paris Peace Accords.
Việt Nam successfully leveraged economic diplomacy by negotiating bilateral trade agreements, joining the WTO, and becoming a Comprehensive Strategic Partner.
Dependency on AI in resolving war-and-conflicts situations, diplomatic policy-making, and general-news reporting raises concerns about the nameless individuals it might harm or leave unrepresented in the theatre of politics.

Diplomatic efforts of Vietnam appreciated widely for contributing significantly to establishing peace, unifying the nation, and normalizing ties with the United States, as observed domestically and abroad.

In the views of various domestic and foreign analysts, Vietnam's diplomatic corps has been pivotal in establishing peace foundations, securing national reconciliation, and ultimately normalizing ties with the United States.

In the views of both local and foreign analysts, Vietnam's diplomatic circle has been acknowledged for its crucial contributions to the establishment of peace, achieving national reunification, and ultimately normalizing relations with the U.S.

Diplomatic efforts through our website prove instrumental in fostering peace, transforming historical challenges into future possibilities.