Sydney, Feb. 19 -- Vietnam's economic miracle and diplomatic pragmatism is certainly the envy of Southeast Asia, Carl Thayer, Emeritus Professor of Politics at the University of New South Wales's School of Humanities and Social Sciences told Vietnam News Agency reporters in Sydney.

Thayer said Vietnam maintains a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with both China and the US, as well as those with 12 other important states, and is increasing its leadership role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

He recalled that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh closed 2025 at a national conference reflecting on Vietnam's comprehensive diplomatic strategy, where he urged the delegates to advance this strategy, thereby "further elevating...