4.1 Research methods
Based on the objectives and research tasks set out, I decided to select qualitative research methods to solve research questions and use Neo-functionalism as a basis for analysis. The qualitative research method helps provide necessary tools, allowing me to analyze the collected data to gain a comprehensive and in-depth view of the current status of the international friendship cooperation at local level policies’ implementation. During the research, I prepared several research questions and methods to collect information. When using qualitative research, I can tailor these questions to the topic as new information emerges during data collection.
4.2 Research data
Data sources used for analysis include primary data and secondary data as follows:
4.2.1 Primary Data
Primary data includes practical and original data in the implementation of international friendship and cooperation at Hồ Chí Minh City’s local level. To extract primary data, I use documents such as memorandums, official letters, emails, reports of visits and direct communication between the City foreign affairs agency and partner agencies in exporting, discussing, signing and implementing documents to establish friendship and cooperation between Hồ Chí Minh City and foreign local entities. These resources summarize an overview of the city's historical context, approach, and orientation as well as its international partners in establishing and implementing the above relations.
Besides, the primary data also includes information that I directly collect and analyze through two methods: in-depth interviews and extensive surveys.
In-depth interviews: I conducted in-depth interviews with 13 people belonging to the following three groups:
➢ Officials and experts who directly formulate, propose and implement policies on international friendship and cooperation at local level in HCMC (experts from the Department of Foreign Affairs and some relevant departments).
➢ Officials and experts who directly formulate, propose and implement policies with foreign local entities having relations with HCMC (the focal department in charge of foreign affairs of foreign entities).
➢ Officials and experts at several Vietnamese diplomatic missions abroad, who are or have been directly promoting the relationship of international cooperation at the local level of HCMC.
The interview question was designed to find out the views of the interviewees about (i) The policy of international friendship and cooperation at HCMC’s local level; (ii) The effective implementation of
22 this type of relation, especially in the city's socio-economic development; (iii) The shortcomings/limitations of this type of relation; (iv) Forecasting the development trend of the relation.
Extensive survey:
I surveyed 125 people belonging to the following four groups:
➢ Municipal and local leaders and officials of some departments directly involved in the implementation of external activities
➢ Municipal leaders and officials working in socio-political organizations participating in external activities
➢ Department of International Affairs lecturers and students at universities and research institutes in the City
➢ Leaders and focal point people of foreign affairs in the City’s big enterprises that have participated or benefited from the city's international friendship and cooperation at the local level.
The purpose of this survey is to understand the perceptions and views of the target groups in the society about international friendship and cooperation at the local level in HCMC (such as concepts, roles, achievements, limitations, directions, etc.). After conducting the survey, I summarize the level of awareness and societal support for the international friendship and cooperation at the local level.
In the process of gathering information, I specifically analyzed the research object and methods to identify the sample. The questionnaire was built on the basis of combining closed and open-ended questions to find out how people assess the importance of this relationship development policy. The survey also aimed to acquire an assessment of the need and effectiveness based on the interviewee’s point of view. The results obtained after the survey were statistically analyzed and compared to evaluate the level of awareness and understanding of city officials and citizens about the international friendship and cooperation at HCMC’s local level (concepts, roles, achievements, limitations, directions, etc.). The statistical analysis of the survey is presented in the Appendix. Based on that information, I will have a basis to build arguments for the research hypothesis.
4.2.2 Secondary Data
The method of collecting and analyzing secondary data was selected due to the diversity of this data source, helping me to obtain multidimensional information about the research issues. I use documents on policies, guidelines and foreign policies of the Party, the State and the orientation of HCMC as well as documents on guidelines and directions to promote the international friendship and cooperation at the local level other provinces to gain an overview of approaches and policy implementation models in the City and others. I also use central-level documents including
23 resolutions of the 12th Party Central Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat and the Prime Minister's Directive on international integration, especially Resolution 22 of the Politburo on international economic integration, the Prime Minister's Directive 15 on international integration, and the master strategy for international integration to 2020 and vision to 2030. Based on the interpretation methods, the paper will explore and analyze the meaning of words in documents on the basis of the context of the document’s issuance.
Additionally, articles published in the journals of international relations at home and abroad, newsletters from the Vietnamese representative missions abroad and reports from research institutes will be used as a data source. These databases, with a large amount of information, present different perspectives to help me gain a comprehensive view of the research problem, thereby making appropriate recommendations related to the process of planning and implementing this policy.
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