Nepal’s public diplomacy activities and their implications for Vietnam

Abstract

Public diplomacy activities are recognized as a crucial foreign policy tool that builds trust, repairs damaged relationships, and promotes an environment conducive to international collaboration. This article aims to identify and evaluate Nepal's public diplomacy activities on the basis of the five subjects of public diplomacy as defined by Nicholas Cull (2009), including: (1) Listening; (2) Exchange diplomacy; (3) Cultural diplomacy; (4) International communication; (5) Advocacy, thereby drawing some implications for Vietnam. The research findings indicate that Nepal has been successful in leveraging its national cultural legacy to build a recognizable national image. However, to maintain positive perceptions, the country needs to focus on institutionalizing and professionalizing its public diplomacy activities.