Vietnam recommends guidelines to shape regional and global governance framework

Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam highlighted the three major crises facing the world while presenting his opening keynote address at the Shangri-La on the 29th May 2026. The top Vietnamese leader in dual role having a vast experience in national security and international relations with his expertise in the international law presented not only well-analysed global situation but also suggested options to deal with challenges, which require attention of the International Community. 

His presentation covered broadly two dimensions. In one part, he narrated the current crises and in the second, he covered options for dealing with them. Lam, while noting the declining effectiveness of multilateral institutions, the growing lack of trust with unchecked strategic competition, and rising challenges to international law, drew attention to three interconnected crises: the crisis of the international order, the crisis of development models and the crisis of strategic trust. 

He views that the convergence of the three fundamental crises is posing a significant challenge to the world order. His pragmatist outlook was noticeable in his observation that the choice facing the Asia-Pacific is not between competition and no-competition because competition is an inherent reality of international relations. 

He presented well-considered and practical options to deal with these crises. He called for stronger adherence to international law, sustainable growth drivers and transparent dialogue mechanisms, aimed at preventing conflicts. He prescribed six guidelines and procedures for dealing with the current crises. First, he recommended that the dialogue should become an effective instrument for risk reduction. He stressed four dimensions to achieve the above objective – early identification of risks, facilitation of information-sharing, preservation of communication channels during escalating tension, and prevention of disagreements turning into a crisis.  

Second, he suggested how to shape an open and inclusive regional architecture with ASEAN centrality. For this, he stressed the need for an architecture capable of connecting interests, reducing mistrust and reinforcing existing arrangements. He also emphasised transparency, timely implementation of common agenda and respect for international law. 

Third, he recommended placing human security and societal resilience at the core of sustainability. His suggestions included a development foundation capable of absorbing systemic shocks; open and diversified supply chains; seamless infrastructure connectivity; and cooperation in critical sectors like finances, technology, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure and search and rescue operations.  

Fourth, he emphasised shaping responsible norms for emerging technologies and defence industry. While pointing out that ultimate responsibility rests on humans for all decisions having grave consequences, he suggested establishment of clear norms for responsible conduct in cyber domain, strengthen security of undersea cables, and transparency in technologies impacting strategic stability. For defence industry, he stressed that it should serve legitimate self-defence interests and should not fuel arms race. 

Fifth, he dealt with the problem of deleterious impact of information and influence operations. He warned against the fake news and information manipulation that weakens national cohesion and distorts public understanding. He stressed enhancing public awareness on this vital aspect. 

Sixth, he emphasised strengthening of capacity for preventive diplomacy, mediation and conciliation. His stress on preventive diplomacy as a strategic capability was noticeable. He suggested diverse channels and flexible mediation mechanisms.                           

The coverage of his views in the international media demonstrated that Vietnam’s approach on regional peace, security and economic development is gaining attraction of the International Community, reflecting Vietnam’s rising profile in multilateral forums. While the New York Times pointed out that Lam’s address revealed that distrust and lack of respect for established rules had created ‘a culture of the big fish swallowing the small fish’, the Singapore’s Channel News Asia observed that his opening address demonstrated international recognition of Vietnam’s growing influence. The US channel CNBC highlighted Lam’s statement that competition must be bounded by law, guided by transparency, and exercised with restraint. China’s Xinhua News Agency paid particular attention to remarks concerning the central role of ASEAN. Similarly other news media gave positive comments.

Lam, in his interview to Reuters, explaining Vietnam’s external policy, Lam pointed out that ‘Hanoi does not pick-up sides.’ He stated that while strong relations between Vietnam and its giant neighbour and territorial rival China would benefit regional peace and security, ties with the US are also important. While accepting the competition between the US and China as “the objective reality”, he stated that Hanoi does not approach its relations with major powers through the prism of security. He further elaborated that there was no contradiction in seeking stronger relations with China and ensuring progress in solving the long-simmering territorial disputes across the East Sea/South China Sea (SCS). Lam is pursuing effective multilateralism based on the “Bamboo Diplomacy.”

Lam’s address demonstrated a clear understanding of the current global challenges and their interlinkages. He also prescribed options to deal with them. He proposed practical confidence-building measures and incident-management procedures. His emphasis on the importance of respecting international law, particularly the Charter of the United Nations and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) was particularly significant in view of growing tension in the SCS. His call for reconstructing the international order based on the UN Charter and international law closely aligns with the perceptions of many countries in the Global South including India.   

In essence, at the Shangri-La conference Lam raised Vietnam’s stature from a participant to an agenda-setter: it proposed guidelines to shape regional and global governance framework and to navigate emerging challenges. Lam’s six recommendations call for deep global integration, connectivity, human security, economic development linked with the region. His focus on influence operations impacting public thinking deserves attention of all nations. These constitute timely and valuable advice to the International Community for having peace and enhancing strategic trust in the current fractured security environment. His strategic vision, combining theory and practice, reveals that Vietnam is not merely responding to immediate concerns but it is approaching critical global issues from a long-term, strategic perspective. His speech aimed at creating a fairer and more equitable international political and economic order. There are lessons to learn for other counties.     

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