Vietnam, often dubbed Asia's next tiger economy, has diplomatic relations with many countries. Its foreign policy emphasizes independence, self-reliance, and multilateralism. Although the Vietnamese government has traditionally been non-aligned, it has developed close relationships with some countries in the region and even from the other side of the world in the past decades.
These countries include China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, and the United States. It has also established diplomatic relations with a number of European, African, and Latin American countries in recent years.
As a member of the United Nations, an active participant in UN peacekeeping operations, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), it’s safe to say Vietnam is well-connected and has been taking part in the global scene. In addition, Vietnam is a signatory to many regional and international agreements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Vietnam has played an important role in regional diplomacy, particularly in the context of the South China Sea disputes. It has also been involved in efforts to promote regional economic integration, including through the ASEAN Free Trade Area and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
It’s been said in many political studies that only through diplomatic relations of mutual trust and discipline can two countries build and develop lasting friendly relations. As for Vietnam, it has managed to maintain long-standing diplomatic ties, some even for more than half a century. But this isn’t some other political studies that put into detail Vietnam’s relationship with several nations. Here we’ll look at the partnership’s creative and lively side — the 50-year commemoration logos.
Australia - Established formal diplomatic relations in 1973
The Australia-Vietnam 50th anniversary logo was unveiled on December 21 in Ho Chi Minh City. The winning logo was selected by Australia’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Andrew Goledzinowski and Vietnam’s Ambassador to Australia, Nguyen Tat Thanh, from over 70 entries.
The logo creates a 5-point Vietnamese star using the boomerang, an internationally recognized symbol of Australia. It will be used in color as well as a gold version, which aligns with Australia’s green and gold national brand identity.
The 50th anniversary will be celebrated in Vietnam throughout 2023 with a program covering all aspects of Australia-Vietnam relations, from education, agriculture, trade, and investment and tourism to climate cooperation, vocational training, innovation, and equality.
India - Established formal diplomatic relations in 1972
India has a long-standing development partnership with Vietnam that has made positive contributions towards capacity building, Sustainable Development Goals and socioeconomic development of Vietnam. India has also been providing assistance to Vietnam within the ASEAN framework.
The image represents a long-standing friendship between India and Vietnam symbolically through a peacock and a crane, the birds of national importance in the two countries respectively, as per the ministry statement.
It also includes the numeral 50 to denote the 50 years of diplomatic relations and the national flags of India and Vietnam at its Centre, it added.
Japan - Established formal diplomatic relations in 1973
On September 21, 1973, Vietnam and Japan established diplomatic relations. Since then, the friendship and cooperation between the two countries have continuously developed in many fields, such as politics, economy, culture, and sports, from the national leadership level to the grassroots level.
This year, Vietnam and Japan celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations. The relationship that is said to have “infinite potential” between the two countries is approaching a period of marked development. Both nations hope the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations will be an opportunity to look back at the Vietnam -Japan relationship so far, and create a foundation for that relationship to develop further.
Norway - Established formal diplomatic relations in 1971
The year 2021 marked the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Norway. Since 1971, the two countries have enjoyed thriving ties in different areas and different settings, bilateral, regional, and international.
As for the logo, the winner said she used red for the logo because it is the dominant color of the national flags of both countries. She also combined the number 50 and the infinity symbol to highlight this important milestone in the Vietnam -Norway diplomatic relations and its eternity.”
Singapore - Established formal diplomatic relations in 1973
Just last month, the Vietnam-Singapore Friendship Association under the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Singaporean Embassy in Vietnam co-hosted an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
A logo contest was initiated by the Vietnamese Students' Association in Singapore and the Singapore Global Network (SGN) in October last year for Vietnamese students studying from the high school to doctoral (PhD) levels in Singapore. The first prize went to Le Thanh Hong, a student at Singapore Polytechnic.
Sri Lanka - Established formal diplomatic relations in 1970
In 2020, Vietnam and Sri Lanka commemorate the 50th anniversary of their establishment of formal diplomatic relations. Although only officially founded in 1970, Sri Lanka and Vietnam’s deep-rooted relationship spans several centuries.
Together, the two nations enjoy amicable ties in bilateral, regional and multilateral diplomacy equally. Cooperation between the two countries extends to wider areas of politics, trade, investment and economics, defence, culture, education, tourism, agriculture etc.
The Netherlands - Established formal diplomatic relations in 1973
The Netherlands is the largest EU investor and the second-largest EU trading partner of Vietnam. The two countries share numerous common grounds and therefore have been natural partners in many fields, such as water, agriculture, maritime, aviation, and circular economy.
The logo was created by Arjen IJff, a Dutch designer who was born in Vinh Long province and was adopted and brought to the Netherlands.
The UK - Established formal diplomatic relations in 1973
In December 2022, the British Embassy in Vietnam officially announced a logo to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (September 11, 1973 - September 11, 2023).
According to the contest winner, Ngo Quang Trung, his logo was inspired by Vietnam's Khue Van Cac (Pavilion of the Constellation of Literature) and the UK's Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower). He said it testifies to the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries and the balance of the bilateral relations.