Vietnam is increasing its position in Asia. (Photo: VOV.VN)

She said, “It's fair to say that diplomatic influence is Vietnam's strong suit and that's really a result of Vietnam's very active foreign policy which involves outreach to a really wide range of countries.”

“Of course, Vietnam famously last year was the only country in the world to host both the US president and the leader of China. I think that really just symbolizes the fact that Vietnam has such active diplomatic outreach,” Patton noted.

Vietnam's position in the region is strengthened by its economic relations and economic capacity. Vietnam has a proactive economic diplomacy policy, participates in multiple trade agreements with countries around the world, and is an attractive investment destination for foreign enterprises.
President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum is decorated with flags and banners celebrating National Day, September 2. (File photo: Hoang Hieu /VNA)

One of Vietnam’s impressive development areas last year was defense. Although it didn’t take part in any alliance, it expanded its defense cooperation with other countries in the region.

Le Thu Huong, Chairwoman of the Advisory Board of the Australia-Vietnam Policy Institute, said, “Vietnam's effort had been very consistent. One of the biggest growth gaining areas has been on the diplomatic resources, the problematic efforts which Vietnam has been very proactive in engaging with foreign partners.”

“Vietnam is considered as a regional middle power and its start is slowly embracing, its economy is on strong foot,” Huong said.