A highlight of religious diplomacy in 2023 was the appointment of a Resident Representative to Vietnam by the Holy See.
This is the result of more than a decade of persistent effort, dialogue, and understanding, setting aside historical misunderstandings. It is also the achievement of implementing the principle of multilateralism and diversification of international relations. Vietnam is always ready to be a friend, a reliable and responsible partner in the international community. From now on, the relationship between Vietnam and the Vatican
will enter a new chapter, moving towards a future of peace , stability, and development.  |
President Vo Van Thuong and his wife, along with a high-level Vietnamese delegation, visited the Vatican at the invitation of Pope Francis on July 27, 2023. (Source: Vatican Media) |
1. Religious diplomacy refers to the activities of Vietnamese agencies, organizations, and individuals with foreign agencies, organizations,
and individuals related to the religious field. In the current era of globalization, religious diplomacy plays a crucial role in the Party's foreign affairs, State diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy, helping international individuals and organizations understand the consistent policy of respecting freedom of belief and religion of the Party and State, as well as the practical aspects of religious life in Vietnam. A highlight of religious diplomacy in 2023 was the appointment of a resident representative from the Vatican to Vietnam. Thus, after 12 years, since Vietnam accepted the Vatican's request in 2011 to appoint a non-resident Vatican envoy to work in Vietnam, the Catholic Church in Vietnam has established a unified and seamless connection with the Roman Curia. As Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Nang, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Vietnam, affirmed in his letter to cardinals, priests, and Catholics ahead of Christmas 2023, this is "a clearer, more tangible sign of communion between the Vietnamese Church and the Pope" and "becomes a diplomatic bridge for the Church to develop diverse activities to meet the needs of the social community." The signing and adoption of the Regulations establishing the Permanent Representative of the Holy See in Vietnam was the result of the perseverance and persistence of both Vietnam and the Holy See in "seeking common ground while respecting differences," especially the view of setting aside historical unresolved issues to move towards understanding, sharing, and mutual development. This process can be recounted through historical milestones, demonstrating Vietnam's consistent stance on multilateralizing and diversifying international relations for the stability and development of Vietnam and world peace.
| “…Both sides have been able to move forward together and will continue to do so, by recognizing similarities and respecting differences. Furthermore, both sides have been able to walk alongside each other, listen to each other, and understand each other.” (Excerpt from the letter of Pope Francis to the Catholic community in Vietnam on the occasion of the recognition of the Agreement on the status of the Permanent Representative of the Holy See and the Permanent Representative Office of the Holy See in Vietnam) |
The process of establishing a permanent representative office with the Vatican began with the historic meeting in November 2007 between former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Pope Benedict XVI. This was the first time in history that a Vietnamese Party and State leader had met directly and openly with the head of the Holy See. Through this meeting, former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed the Vietnamese government's stance: "The Vietnamese government always values its relationship with the Vatican." To further implement this consistent Vietnamese government policy, a joint Vietnam-Vatican working group was established in 2008, led by a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from Vietnam and represented by the Pope's envoy from the Vatican. Both sides have held annual meetings to exchange views on bilateral relations, including points of disagreement. In 2009, former President Nguyen Minh Triet met with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican, reaffirming Vietnam's independent foreign policy, its readiness to be a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community, and its desire to promote relations with the Vatican. With the efforts of both sides, in 2011, the Vatican appointed a non-resident Special Envoy to Vietnam. In 2013, for the first time in history, the Catholic Pope welcomed General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong – the head of a Communist Party – with the protocol of a head of state. This demonstrated the Vatican's stance in affirming the absolute and comprehensive leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam in all aspects of political and social life in Vietnam. Since the establishment of the non-resident Special Envoy, Vietnam has facilitated hundreds of visits by the Holy See's envoys to dioceses in Vietnam and hundreds of meetings with Vietnamese Catholic dignitaries. The Vietnamese Party and State consistently uphold the principles of respecting independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and actively contributing to peace, cooperation, and development in the world. The Vietnamese government always encourages pastoral activities in provinces and cities, guiding religious followers to engage in purely religious activities and abide by Vietnamese laws, as instructed by the Holy See's envoy.
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang receives the first Resident Representative of the Holy See in Vietnam, Archbishop Marek Zalewski. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
2. Thanks to the efforts of the Joint Working Group, in July 2023, during President Vo Van Thuong's visit to the Vatican, following talks with Pope Francis and Cardinal Pietro Parolin – the Vatican's Prime Minister, the Agreement on the Operational Regulations of the Holy See's Resident Representative and Permanent Representative Office in Vietnam was officially signed. This is a significant historical milestone in the diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Vietnam. The establishment of the Holy See's Resident Representative in Vietnam has created advantages in Vietnam's foreign affairs and its mission to serve the religious faith of the faithful of the Roman Catholic Church. With the Resident Representative, any issues arising, especially complex and sensitive issues related to Catholicism, will be quickly and directly discussed through the Resident Representative. Diplomatic activities and programs will be officially implemented at the state level between the Vatican and the Vietnamese State. On the other hand, the Resident Representative will have favorable conditions to carry out the tasks and responsibilities assigned by the Holy See regarding the religious activities of the Catholic Church in Vietnam. It can be affirmed that upgrading the relationship to a Resident Representative with the Vatican, on the one hand, demonstrates the correct foreign policy of our Party and State; on the other hand, it shows the concern of the Vietnamese Party and State for Catholic clergy and believers in Vietnam; reaffirms understanding and sharing in religious diplomacy; and creates conditions for the Holy See to fulfill its religious mission in fostering faith, resolving conflicts, maintaining peace, guiding believers to abide by the law, and cooperating with the government at all levels. Immediately after the Regulations establishing the Resident Representative with the Vatican were signed, Pope Francis sent a letter to the Catholic community in Vietnam, affirming and emphasizing the view: "Good parishioners must be good citizens" and conveying the message of building a spirit of harmony and national unity...
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| Party Central Committee Secretary and Head of the Central Committee's Foreign Affairs Department Le Hoai Trung meets with Pope Francis. (Source: VNA) |
Recently, on January 18, 2024, a Vietnamese delegation led by Comrade Le Hoai Trung, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Head of the Central Committee's Foreign Affairs Department, met with Pope Francis and held working sessions with the Prime Minister and the Vatican's Foreign Minister. Pope Francis accepted the invitation from the Party and State leaders and is expected to visit Vietnam in 2024. This is another important sign of the good relationship between the two sides. With the view of setting aside historical disagreements and differences; consistently pursuing an independent, self-reliant, peaceful, cooperative, and developmental foreign policy, Vietnam and the Vatican have built a new diplomatic relationship, certain to see further development in the future. From now on, Vietnamese Catholicism will follow a new direction of the Roman Catholic Church, especially continuing to guide and encourage believers to abide by the Constitution and laws. This is a highlight achievement in Vietnam's religious diplomacy in 2023, all for the common goal of ensuring a peaceful and stable environment, creating favorable conditions for reform and socio-economic development, and attracting resources, especially religious resources, to meet the country's development
requirements in the new era.
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