Viện Nghiên cứu Nam Á, Tây Á và Châu Phi

Soft power is determining its crucial role in maintaining national stability, enhancing international integration, and promoting its worldwide influence. Soft power includes three resources: national culture, national political values, and national foreign policy. Many Middle Eastern countries have succeeded in building and deploying soft power, including Saudi Arabia (cultural diplomacy such as media, education, sports, tourism, Sunni Islamic values, and others), United Arab Emirates (identity, heritage, culture, contribution to the world), Iran (Shi'a Islamic values), Morocco (promoting religious diplomacy - moderate Islam Moroccan style), and so on. President Ho Chi Minh has inherited and elevated Vietnam's soft power from traditional soft power values of Confucian - Buddhist - Taoist ideology, adaptable strategies against foreign invaders, and a flexible diplomatic policy that promotes peace and cooperation. Up to now, Ho Chi Minh's ideology of soft power is still inherited and carried on. Attractive features of Vietnam's soft power these days are the spirit of national autonomy, independence, economic development policies, and culture.