DSpace at VNU: Vietnam-asean integration: process and present situation (1967-2002)

V N U JO U R N A L O F S C IE N C E ,

soc..

S C I., H U M A N , N U1E, 2 0 02

V I E T N A M -A S E A N IN T K G R A T IO N :
P R O C E S S A N D P R E S E N T S I T U A T I O N (1 9 6 7 -2 0 0 2 )

Vu D u o n g N i n l 1

This article is the s u m m a ry o f one chapter

W ar, which had no sign o f end in g , and a> a

in a research project w hich is entitled Yicỉììíiiìì-

need

ASEAN integration: Process, Present Situation,

Southeast A sia to face with the possibility tlit

and Problem s (C ode Q G .T Đ . 0 0 02) and which

A m erica would w ith d ra w its troops from tie

was evaluated and approved in June, 2002.

region.

This chapter analyzes the V ietnam -A SE A N
relationship in tw o stages: from the birth of
A S E A N up to the time w hen Vietnam joined
the association (1 9 6 7 -1 9 9 5 ) and from the time
V ietnam officially b ecam e a m em b e r o f the
A ssociation (1995) up to now. Based on the
analysis, som e proposals and solutions will be
raised.

for

the

non -co m m u n ist

countries

n

So it c a n be said that in effect A S E A N w s
a product m a d e by so m e N o rtheast ASE/W
countries at a heating tim e in the region in tie
time o f the Cold W a r in the world. Vietnan
was an objective factor affecting the formatim
o f A S E A N and was also the m ajo r object to »e
considered in A S E A N ’s beh a v io u r for a loig
period o f time. T h ro u g h 28 years o f V ie tn a n ASBAN relationship (1967-1995), the followiig

1. The first stage: 1967 -1 9 9 5

co m m e n ts c a n be m ade:
W hen A S E A N first c a m e into being, it
included

5

M alaysia,

the

Thailand.

In

countries,

nam ely

Philippines,
reality,

the

Indonesia,

Singapore,
N ortheast

and
Asian

countries joining ASKA N encountered difficult
and com plicated situations brought about by
the V ietnam War.
J u s u f YVanandi, a scholar at the Research

First, the o c c u rre n ce o f A S E A N was a
product o f the Cold W a r in the Southeast Asit.
It reflected the conflict be tw e en the nalionil
liberation c a m p a ig n and im perialism ; it ills)
reflected the conflict betw een the c a m p socialism and that o f capitalism in the regioi.
A S E A N did not ap p e ar in a sim ple or oncdireclion w ay b ecause the m e m b e r c o u n tries

(i

Centre for International Strategics in Calcutta

A S E A N had different d e g re e s o f involvemcit

(Indonesia) com m ents: “The birth o f ASEAN

with

could be seen as a response to the V ietnam

escaping from

im perialism

Professor, Department of international Studies, College of Social Science & Humanities, VNU

and

their

m otives

the tie o f im perialism

fcr
vver*


36

Vu Duong Ninh

different. E ven in the re v o lu tio n a ry c a m p a ig n

the first h a lf o f the

in Indochina after the A m e r i c a ’s w ithdraw al

turned in a positive dire c tio n . M any factors

from

the

affected the d e v e lo p m en t o f this relationship.

com m unist parties o f C h in a a n d C a m b o d ia with

A s for V ie tn a m , the V ie tn a m e s e C om m unist

that o f V ie tn a m

P a rty ’s R e n o v a tio n (D oi M o i) Line in general

Southeast

Vietnam

to

A sia,

a rose

liberate

c o n flic ts

due

am ong

to the help o f

C a m b o d ia

from

the

and

ren o v a tio n

1990s, this relationship

in

e x te rn a l

relations

in

dom ination y o k e u n d e r the g e n o c id a l reg im e o f

p a rticu la r w e re the d e cisive factors. W ith the

the K hm er R o u g e and d u e to the collisio n in

active and p rincipled use o f the Renovation

the North b o rd e r o f V ie tn a m

in

Line, we b a sic a lly im p ro v e d the regional as

period

b e tw e e n

of

ten se

the

well as the g lo b a l relations. A s a result o f that

and

the

im p ro v e m e n t,

C h in a

and

difficulties b ro u g h t about by the changes o f the

A m erica resp e c tiv e ly ) w a s ta k in g p lace very

socialist c o u n trie s in E uro p e , escape from the

fiercely in the first h a lf o f the 1980s.

situation o f b e in g isolated in the 1980s, and

Indochinese
ASEAN

o p p o s itio n

1979. The

re v o lu tio n a ry

c o u n tries

force

(backed

by

c a u tio u sly
Second,

the

tendency

of

we

did

overcom e

m an y

integrate into the region and the

c o n c ilia tio n

world. T h e s e a c h ie v e m e n ts created a steady

betw een 2 su p e rp o w e rs , the Soviet U n io n and

fo u n d atio n o f the follow ing integration process

the USA, in flu e n ce d the w o r l d ’s situation. In

on the in te rn atio n a l scale.

Southeast A sia, d u e to the ne e d o f stability for
developm ent, the c o u n trie s b e lo n g in g to the
A SEA N

bloc

and

to the

In d o c h in e s e

bloc

F ourth, to the A S E A N
im portant

to

a re a

out
of

m u tu a l

problem w as the situ a tio n in C a m b o d ia . A fter

operation, a n d de v e lo p m en t. O n the one hand,

the problem o f C a m b o d ia w a s solved in the

diffe re n c e s

spirit o f national r e c o n c ilia tio n a n d concord,

follow ing the m o to r “ U nion in diversity; on the

the situation in S o u th e ast A s ia w as im proved,

o th e r hand, they certainly create conflicts of

and the c o u n tries m o v e d m o r e c lo sely tow ards

so vereignty a n d interests. Practical experience

one another, a s the result o f w h ic h , V ietnam

has s h o w n that if the countries in the region see

and Laos a tte n d e d the Bali T re a ty in July,

that the m u tu a l

1992. That e v e n t offic ia lly o p e n e d the period

appropriate

for V ietnam to prep a re to

regio n a liz atio n

the

stability,

in

building

diversify

peace,

benefits

is

wanted peace and se cu rity b u t the knot o f the

e n te r A S E A N and

an

find

countries, it

co­

developm ent,

benefits are basic,

lasting,

to the ten d e n c y o f the age of
and

globalization,

then

jo ining

ob sta c les c a n be reduced step by ste p in the

cerem ony in Ju ly , 1995 in the capital o f Brunei.

spirit o f m u tu a l respect and the g o o d will to

the

result

of

the

event

was

the

reach a h ig h e r and further goal: m ak in g the

Third, from 1967 to 1995, the V i e tn a m ASEAN

rela tio n sh ip

w ent

up

and

Southeast A s ia an area o f peace, developm ent,

dow n.

and prosperity and uniting the S outheast Asian

However, in the se co n d h a lf o f the 1980s and

peoples in the association to head for concord,

I XU. Journal o f Science, Soc., Sci., Human., No IE, 2002


Vic I nam A sc an Integration: Process anti

friendship, m utual aid, and co-operation.
that

sense,

the

fact

that

V ietnam

a

new

phase

In

joined

M in is te rs ’ M e e tin g

and

the

eighth

ARF

M e eting in Ju ly 2 0 0 1 . T h r o u g h these activities,

the

V ie tn a m c o u ld prove its organization ability,

developm ent o f ASK A N in the last years o f the

c ontribute to se ttin g the internal problem s o f

2 0 th century and the first years o f the 2 1 s1

the

century

m e m b e r co u n tries, c o n trib u te to the growth of

A SEA N

m ark ed

in

association,

and,

to g eth e r

with

other

ASHAN, h e ig h te n in g the position o f A S E A N
2. T h e s e co n d s ta g e : f r o m 1995 u p to now

as well as that o f V ie tn a m

in the w o rld ’s

politics.
After be c o m in g the seventh m e m b e r of
Looking b ack on the integration process o f
ASH AN, V ietnam has actively ta k e n part in
V ie tn a m as a m e m b e r o f A S E A N in the period,
different activities o f the association: attending
the following c o m m e n ts c a n be made:
the

fifth

Sum m it

D ecem ber,

the

in

B angkok

Firstly, V ie tn a m ’s integration into ASEAN

M eeting (A S E M ) in T h a ila n d in M arch, 1996

was done fav o u ra b ly , w ith the agreem ent from

(and ASEM 2 in B ritain in 1998, A SE M 3 in

6 m e m b e r c o u n trie s an d the support o f the

North Korea in 2000). V ietnam successfully

w o r ld ’s opinion. V i e t n a m ’s contribution to the

held

in

process o f d e v e lo p m e n t o f A S E A N after the

Decem ber, 1998, which is o n e o f the specially

C old W ar has re s p o n d e d to V i e tn a m ’s position

important m ee tin g s in the history o f A S E A N

in the association. A f te r b e c o m in g the seventh

developm ent.

Hanoi

m e m b e r o f A S E A N , not only has V ietnam kept

Declaration, the Hanoi A ction P ro g ra m m e and

its c o m m itm e n t but it has a lso actively and

m any other im portant d o c u m e n ts w ere passed

positively offe red m a n y

so as to realize “ A S E A N V ision 2 0 0 2 ” . A lso at

p ro m o te the reg io n a l co -o p eratio n .

the sixth A S E M

At

m eeting,

the

this

first

in

A sia-E urope

this

1995,

M e etin g

Sum m it

M e etin g

m eeting,

gov e rn o rs

the

of

ASEAN
Secondly,

countries

accepted

C a m b o d ia

as

initiatives so as to

the

V i e t n a m ’s

integration

into

tenth
A S E A N in recent y e a rs has sh o w n that in the

m em b e r o f the association, which finished the
plan o f en larg in g the organization to cover the
whole region. T he success o f the fifth Sum m it

present in ternational situ a tio n , differences in
political system s an d id eology, if appropriately
dealt with, a re not u n s o lv a b le obstacles in the

M eeting affirm ed the im p o rta n c e o f V ietnam in
p ro cess of reg io n a l in teg ratio n . T h is is not just

Southeast Asia.

b e c au se A S E A N has a fle x ib le structure of
A fter the fifth Sum m it M eeting, V ietnam
was appointed

to

be the

c h a irm a n

o f the

organization
Southeast

that
A sia n

A S E A N Standing C o m m itte e (ASC) and A R F

im portantly,

in the term o f office 20 0 0 -2 0 0 1 . V ie tn a m also

c ountries have

successfully

peaceful,

held

the

34lh

Asian

Foreign

ỉ XI Journal o f Science, Soc . S c i , Human . NnlE, 2002

c o u ld

c o u n trie s

V ie tn a m

stable,

a d m it

m any
an d

and
m u tu a l

all

of

but

o th er

m ore
ASEAN

benefits

d e v e lo p in g

the

in a

Southeast


Vu Duong Ninh

38

W ith its effort a n d coiUribution to the

Asia. All o f the S outheast A s ia n countries are
interested

in

an

e n v ir o n m e n t

w hich

is

com m on

su c c e s s o f A S E A N , V ie tn a m

favourable for the a s s u r a n c e o f their national

raised

in d ependence,

international

territorial

integrity, econom ic

its

own

p o sitio n

in

organizations

the

has

eyes

and

of

of

other

d e v e lo p m en t, and life im p ro v e m e n t according

countries. A fter jo in in g A S E A N , V ie tn a m has

to the o rientation raised by “ V isio n 2 0 2 0 ” . All

actively ta k e n part in the external activities o f

o f the Southeast A s ia n c o u n trie s have c o m m o n

the association. It has also had its position in

problem s that they all ha v e to solve: erasing

the activities o f A R F a n d A S E M and it joined

hunger

A P E C . V ie tn a m h a s political, econom ic, and

and

r e d u c in g

p overty,

preventing

sm u g g lin g , piracy, forest fire, dru g s, diseases,

cultural

and social evils. T h e S o u th e ast A s ia n countries

organizations

m u st be w atchful for the d a n g e r o f insecurity

e sp ec ially the big ones. T h e heads-of-state o f

d u e to the in tern al a n d e x te rn a l destructive

the su p e rp o w ers

activities

w hich

V ie tn a m , e x p re s s in g frien d sh ip and goodw ill in

conflicts,

k id n ap p in g ,

c a u se

e th n ic

and

religion

rela tio n s

w ith

and

with

in the

the

regional

most

countries,

world have visited

Each

co o peration. T h e V ie tn a m - C h in a relation and

c o u n tr y 's effort can o n ly be m ultiplied if it is

V i e tn a m - R u s s i a relation have been reinforced

part

and

of

the

association,
m em ber

and

m u tu a l
so

effo rt

the

c o u n tries

terrorism .

of

the

c o n n e c tio n
is

an

whole

am ong

o b jec tiv e

the

dem a n d

T hirdly, V i e tn a m ’s j o in in g into A S E A N
and the increase o f A S E A N m e m b e rs up to ten

increased

the

c o lle ctiv e

and

the

V ie tn a m -A m e r ic a

Bilateral T ra d e A g r e e m e n t was signed, which
is

the

re m a rk a b le

m an ifestatio n

of

the

a c h ie v e m e n t o f V ie tn a m ’s e x ternal activities.

w hich brings ab o u t b e n e fits for th e m all.

have

e n la rg e d

strength

of

A S E A N and the im p o rta n c e o f its voice in the

T h e prep a ra tio n for V ie tn a m to jo in W T O is on
a pro m isin g progress. T h e se achie v e m e n ts help
V ie tn a m

e n te r

a

n ew

ce n tu ry

with

m ore

con fid e n t and steady steps.

international politics. T h a n k s to its agreem ent,

F ourth,

each

step

of

developm ent,

A S E A N has in cre ase d its p a rtn e rs ' trust. As a

how ever,

result,

c h allen g es. O n the one hand, th e s e problems

ASEAN

m ee tin g s

of

contributed

has

ARF
to

su c c e s s fu lly
and

APEC,

ASEM,
and

held

the

positively

offered

m any

have

cre a te s

n ew

historically

consequences

p ro b le m s

derived

o f the

and

from

long-lasting

new

the

war-time,

initiatives to e n s u re pe a ce a n d security in the

w hich c a n ’t be overcom e ov e rn ig h t. On the

region as well as in the w orld. At the sam e

o th er hand, they have recently c o m e from the

time, m an y A S E A N c o u n trie s have received

un b alance

assistance and in v estm e n t fro m big countries

b usiness e x p erience.

and

force and the strong will to d e v e lo p strongly

international

position

in

o rg a n iz a tio n s.

the

rem arkably increased.

w o r l d ’s

A S E A N ’s

relations

has

of

the

dev e lo p m en t
E xploiting

level
the

and

internal

and taking a d v a n ta g e o f e x te r n a l aids will
m a k e o u r d e v e lo p m e n t steady a n d effective. To

Ỉ 'NU. Journal o f Science, Soc., S e t, Human., No IE, 2002


do this,

it

is nec essa ry

to c o n s o lid a te

the

effects

of

the

d iffe re n c e s ,

and

agreem ent w ithin A S E A N , to in crease p e a c e ­

opportunity

keeping,

especially e c o n o m ic integration.

political

security

and

stability

in

to

taking

s tr e n g th e n

the

integration,

Southeast A sia to stre n g th e n regional eco n o m ic
As
integration,

and

to

e n la rg e

far

as

Laos

and

C a m b o d ia

are

international
c oncerned, V ie tn a m , o n the o n e hand, should

relations.

intensify

the tra d itio n al

relation

m a in ly for

political security; o n the o th e r hand, V ie tn a m

3. Conclusion: som e proposals

should help th em w ith as m u c h in v estm e n t and
a . There m u st be a scientific p red ictio n of

aid as p o s s ib le s o ạ s

to o c c u p y a certain

the future o f A S E A N . A S E A N should be a

position in their d e v e lo p m e n t. In c o m p a ris o n

mere o rganization c o n n e c tin g the c o u n tries in

with m a n y c o u n trie s in v estin g in L ao s and

the region, in the sense o f an asso cia tio n , with

C am bodia, V i e t n a m ’s e c o n o m ic a bility is w eak

c o m m o n goals. It should respect the benefits

so profit sh o u ld not be the o n ly goal; w hen

and traditions o f e a ch c o untry. It should not be

necessary, th ere s h o u ld be fle x ib le policies so

a union like HU. T he relations w ith those

as to m ain ta in fa v o u ra b le relations for political

partners w ho have strong e c o n o m ic po ten tials

security.

and political positions have b ro u g h t a b o u t the

C a m b o d ia sh o u ld be d iffe re n t. T h e stability in

challenge to A S E A N : it m u st k e e p its dignity

these tw o c o u n trie s

using its real ability; it m u st not be d e p e n d e n t

V ie tn a m ’s stability.

or dom inated by pow erful forces in the w o r ld ’s

politics.

T his

requires

not

o n ly

a

great

econom ic strength but also a p p ropriate political

c.

The

rela tio n s

w ith

L ao s

and

to

h a s a d ire c t effe c t on

F irm ly k e e p the principle o f a g re e m e n t

and n o n -in te rfere n c e; firm ly k e e p the balance
in e xternal relations.

strategies and flexible tactics. W ith its typical
characteristics, V ie tn a m m u s t p lan long-term

It sh o u ld

be

e m p h a s iz e d

that

the

real

integration strategies and p repare appropriate

leading goal o f A S E A N s in c e its birth has been

m easures

political

for

effective

settle m en t

w hen

in

n ature

th o u g h

the

B ang k o k

D eclaration in 1967 said that its goal w as to

possible p ro b le m s arise.

prom ote the s o c io - e c o n o m ic d e v e lo p m e n t. T h e

b. T here m ust be a p p ropriate policies for
each A S E A N m e m b e r, e sp ec ially for L aos and
Cam bodia.
During
relationship
countries,

appropriate

Z O P F A N D e c la ra tio n in 1971, the Bali T reaty
in 1976, a n d A S E A N ’s activities in the 1970s
and 1980s all tried to e s ta b lis h p eace, security

th e

process

w ith

the

V ie tn a m
policies,

of
6

has

re c o v e rin g
fo rm e r
p ro d u c e d

p r o m o tin g

the

and stability in the reg io n . A f te r the e n d o f the

ASEAN

Cold W a r and the se ttle m e n t o f the C a m b o d ia n

m any

problem , A S E A N has paid m o re attention to

com m on

beneficial sim ilarities, r e d u c in g the negative

I XL Journal o f Science. Soc , Sc I . Human , Si, IE, 2002

econom ic
through

d e v e lo p m e n t,
the

d e c is io n

w h ic h
to

w as

e s ta b lis h

sh o w n
AFTA.


Vu Duong Ninh

40

However, in reality, A S E A N ’s activities have

c o u n tries w h o se interests are related to the

followed the goal o f peace and security, the

region.

evidence o f w hich was A R F s activities and the
appeal

for Southeast

weapons

A sia

(SE A N FW Z ).

without

A fter

the

nuclear
m onetary

crisis in 1997, political problem s arose in some
countries

with

the

tendency

of

secession,

terrorism, religion and ethnic conflicts. A spark
in an area or local can spread to large areas in a
country or in the whole region. Southeast Asia

N ow adays,

when

th e re

exist

heating

p ro b le m s in m a n y regions a n d the intentions o f
the big c o u n tries have been clearer and clearer,
firm ly

p u rsuing

the line o f peace and the

external policies which a re both vigilant and
ba la n c e d a m o n g the international forces is the
least d a n g e ro u s way to protect dom estic and
regional security, and stability.

is a big centre o f Islam so m an y countries in
the region have been precautions after the event
in September, 1 1th 2001. H ow ever, the danger
o f a terrorism breakout as well as the spread o f

d.

Prom ote

the

active

econom ic

integration into the region.
E c o n o m ic

integration,

at

any

level,

"the war against anti-terrorism ” can o c c u r in

includes

any place. As a result, peace-keeping, security,

A S E A N countries have d e cided to establish

and stability in the region are the c o m m o n

A F T A /C E P T because e a ch country has its ow n

benefit that connects the m e m b e r countries.

benefits in the c om m on benefits brought about

This great benefit e n c o urages the countries in

by A F T A . T h e private benefits depend on the

the association to reach a high consensus on

co m p e titiv e strength o f e a c h econom y and the

the present problem s.

c o m m o n b e n e fits depend o n the solidarity, the

bo th

cooperation

and competition.

m a in te n a n c e o f peace and stability, and the
The

ASEAN

countries

have

tried

to

m aintain peace, which has been done through
the writing o f the Set o f Behaving R ules in the
East Sea and through the offering o f opening to

agreed

com m itm ents.

T he

m o re

the

d e p e n d e n c e a m ong the countries and econom ic
sy ste m s increases, the higher the d em and to
protect the national interest and com petition is.

their partners.
V i e tn a m ’s biggest difficulty is how to
However, the regional ch a n g es w hich m ay
cause

aim e d

conflicts

are

still

potential.

actively an d positively join the current o f the
regional e c o n o m y integration and, at the same

V ietnam , situated in Southeast Asia and in the

tim e,

W est

interests, the typical identity as well as the

belt o f the

Pacific

O cean,

has

vital

protect

develop

the countries

big

integration, V ic tra m has had som e favourable

countries. To m aintain peace and stability, it is

conditions such IS natural resources, people,

necessary to carry out equal policies am ong

d y n a m is m , and appropriate external policies. In

different countries, especially a m ong the big

o rd e r to integrate into A S E A N effectively and

region

and

with

In

the

national

interests

the

the region.

all the

interests in all aspects and has relations with ail
in

of

ard

course

of

vsu. Journal ofScence, Soc., Sci., Human., No IE, 2002


Vietnam Ascan Integration: Proccss and

41

go fu rth er w hen V ietnam has jo in e d W T O , It IS

profession. H ow one could receive the w orld's

necessary for V ietnam

research ach ie v e m e n ts and use them in his/her

to ov e rc o m e present

challenges and difficulties.

V ietnam

has to

lectures

and

research

projects

so

as

to

prepare appropriate and effective m ea su res and

m odernize training if s/he d o es not use foreign

policies to increase the com petitive strength of

languages?

the

economy

and

to

turn

ch a llen g e s

into
W e have attached im portance to exporting

opportunities for d ev elo p m en t. It IS n ecessary
labour but what we have not succeeded in is
to thoroughly grasp and observe the Political
that we have sent abroad people w ho c a n ’t
D e p a rtm en t’s R eso lu tio n to actively integrate
speak a foreign language to know what to do
into the international e c o n o m y . The R esolution
contains the goals, the g u id in g opinions, and

and

how

to

do

it.

We

are

proud

that

V ietnam ese w orkers are hard-w orking, skilful
particular duties. In the m ea n tim e , ec o n o m ists
and quickly adaptable to technology. However,
and

business

people

have

to

have

a

how can w orkers d e v e lo p these strengths w hen

com prehensive u n d e rstanding o f the rules and
they work abroad with a very poor com petence
laws o f A S E A N in general and o f ea ch partner
in particular. T he question W hat do you know

about the A SE A N custom ers? has not been N

in using

schools, vocational schools, and universities,
teaching

fluently a n sw ered

foreign languages? Then, at high

foreign

incorporated
ignorance o f the regional an d
m arkets

will

languages

m ust

be

strategy,

with

by b u siness people. The

pay

a

price.

in

an

overall

international

The

saving

different

levels

learners.

This

appropriate

for

different

“
is

an

effective

long-term

Know ing about the rival and k now ing about
investment for integration as well as for labour
oneself will h e lp one win all the battles" is still
export.
helpful in to d a y ’s external e conom y.
c. Increase educational and cultural exchange:

-

Cultural

exchanges

a m ong

ASEAN

countries are very im portant. T h rough cultural
E ducation

and

culture

a re

tw o

broad

exchanges, V ie tn a m m ust better understand its
friends and try to be better understood by them.

fields. Here w e ju st m ention s o m e points:

Specially, it is n e c essary to write materials
-

L a n g u a g e:

conditions,

te a c h in g

Due

to

m any

objective
introducing A S E A N and its m e m b e rs in such a

and

learning

foreign
way that they are easy to read, to rem em ber,

languages in V ie tn a m , from se co n d a ry schools
and to popularize.
to universities (except those specializing

in

foreign

A

- Not onlv d o we pay attention to teaching

social survey could prove that m ost university

and learning languages, we m ust also attach

graduates,

im portance

lan g u a g e s), are

ev en

still

university

very

weak.

lecturers

(except

to. popularizing

the

V ietnam ese

those w ho m a jo r in foreign la n g u a g e s) could

language and culture abroad. Popularizing the

not use a foreign language proficiently in their

V ietnam ese language and culture has not been

I A 7 ■ Inu rn ,ti , i f Cr-ionr- 0


V //•

•>/)/)*»


Vu Duong Ninh

42

properly paid atte n tio n to a n d put at a strategic

carried out in training, practising, and b u ilding

range.

the

The

im a g e

of

V ie tn a m

has

been

infrastructure.

O ne

e qually

c o n s id e ra b ly bent, c re a tin g im p ro p e r o b s ta c le s

preparation

to the e x c h a n g e

V ie tn a m e s e people know about their g u e s ts

w ith,

in te g ratio n

into and

In s u c h a situation, it is n e c e s s a ry to write
m ate ria ls ab o u t V ie tn a m in fo re ig n lan g u a g e s
in o rd er to m a k e V ie tn a m k n o w n to A S E A N
c o u n tries and to the w hole w orld. H ow ever,
o n ly a few m a te ria ls o f s u c h k in d s have been
written. U sing fo re ig n la n g u a g e s to introduce
the re s e a rc h results o f V ie tn a m e s e scientists
will also in crease the e x c h a n g e o f c u ltu re and
in

the

reg io n .

Up

to

now ,

so m e

scientific jo u rn a ls in V ie tn a m have pub lish e d
annual

issues w ritten

is to

help

(w h o have m any differences in religion and

c o n n e c tio n with the region.

s cience

that m u st be d o n e

im p o rta n t

in fo re ig n

lan g u a g e s,

tradition) and behave in a civilized a n d polite
m a n n e r. T his is necessary for V ie tn a m e s e sport
persons

because

they

o ften

interact

with

fo reig n ers so they have m any opportunities to
introduce Vietnam and its people to foreigners.
Som e tim e s foreigners m ay have an im proper
understanding about V ietnam ju st b e c au se o f a
p la y e r’s improper behaviour. S om e tim e s the
im a g e o f Vietnam is distorted in the e y e o f
foreigners

just

because

of

an

im proper

c o m p e titio n or behaviour lacking calm . This is
part o f the content o f the p e o p le ’s external

w hich has a very practical m e a n in g .

activities,
W e have a very fav o u ra b le o p p o rtu n ity for

g o v e rn m e n t

a

field
alw ays

w hich
attach

the

party

im p o rta n c e

and
to.

c ultural e x c h a n g e s o rg a n iz in g S E A G A M E S 22
in V ie tn a m in 2 0 0 3 . P re p ara tio n

has been

REFERENCES

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diplomacy o f Vietnam in the Ho CH Minii Era. The Publisher of National
P o litic s . H a n o i. 2000.

Nguven Dinh Bin (Ed), Diplomacy o f Vietnam 1945' 2000.
Nguyen M anh Cam. Answer in an interview. Journal o f Vietnam -Soỉtheast A sia's Today, No 8 (1995).
Vietnam National University-Hanoi. Summary o f the Scientifc Conference on Vietnam-ASEAN
Integration at the Threshold o f the 21" C entury, Hanoi, December 2(00 (typed copy).

5.

Vietnam National University, Summary of the Scientific Conferen-.e on Vietnam-ASEAN : Multilateral
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6.

The Communist Party of Vietnam, Document of the 4"' National Rtpresentative Meeting, the Publisher of
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7.

The Communist Party of Vietnam, the Resolutions of the Central Gmmittee of the Party (1996-1999), the
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I'M

J o u n a ofScience, Soc., Set., Human., No IE. 2002


Vietnam -Asean Iniceralion: Process and...

43

8.

Phan Van Khai, the Opening .Speech of AMM -34 in Hanoi, Nhan Dan Newspaper, July 24, 2001.

9.

Many authors, A New ASEAN in A New M illennium, ('SIS and SIIA, 2000.

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I A ( Journal o f Science, Soc . Sc I , Human . V

2002