Title: Vietnam Agro-Diplomacy: Building a National Brand for Agricultural Products to Advance Economic Diplomacy and Global Influence
Authors: Dung Nguyen Chau Ngan Nguyen Thi Thuy
Volume: 9
Issue: 10
Pages: 289-295
Publication Date: 2025/10/28
Abstract:
In political discourse, access to food and sustainable supply chains are primary concerns, and to some extent, agriculture has become a strategic tool for political influence. With a globally competitive position as a rice, coffee, and tropical fruit exporter, and a diversified agricultural economy, Vietnam is in a convenient position to develop agriculture as a core pillar of its economic diplomacy. Yet, for a competitive and economically advanced agricultural economy, Vietnam's agricultural economy continues to compete on a perception of low value. This paper describes and delineates Vietnam's Agricultural Economic Diplomacy (VAED) as an integration of trade, culture, and sustainability within a soft power diplomacy framework. This is within a context of a developed nation and economic diplomacy and political soft power discourse, as well as a branding theory context, and soft power while considering agricultural products as 'strategic ambassadors' of a well-placed country focusing on its perception of credibility, modernity, and culture. With the aid of policy documents from FAO, OECD, and WTO, as well as the theory discourse from south-east countries, Peru, and South Korea, this paper creates a policy framework involving spatial identity rights, digital tracking, climate adaptation, and public diplomacy. For conclusion that transforming Vietnam's agricultural exports into branded diplomatic assets will enhance the country's ability to negotiate, expand its range of markets, and resituate Vietnam as a reliable supplier and a sustainable player within the global food order.