The 18th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM-18) commenced on November 20 in Vientiane, Laos, under the chair of Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Chansamone Chanyalath.
Vientiane (VNA)♊ -– The 18th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM-18) commenced on November 20 in Vientiane, Laos, under the chair of Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Chansamone Chanyalath.
Vietnam’s delegation to the event is led by Defence Minister Phan Van Giang.
In his opening remarks, Deputy PM Chansamone Chanyalath highlighted the importance of peace and security as foundations for economic and social progress, especially amid current global uncertainties. The ADMM-18, he noted, seeks to strengthen international cooperation to address regional challenges, promoting a peaceful, prosperous, and resilient ASEAN.
Minister Giang affirmed Vietnam's support at the highest level for Laos to fulfil its heavy duty as Chair of ASEAN in 2024.
ADMM-18 adopted several key documents, including guidelines for ADMM-Plus Expert Working Group observers which were co-developed by Laos, the Philippines, and Singapore; and a strategic framework titled “ADMM and ADMM-Plus Ready for the Future” from Brunei and Singapore. It also approved the second ASEAN-US Maritime Exercise in 2025 and the agenda for the 11th ADMM Plus, scheduled for November 21.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Vientiane Joint Declaration: Together for Peace, Security, and Resilience, which underlined the importance of ADMM and ADMM in regional security frameworks. It reaffirmed ASEAN’s outward-looking approach, fostering trust and mutual understanding with external partners while upholding ASEAN’s centrality and unity. The declaration reiterated adherence to principles and essential targets specified in the UN Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in enhancing ASEAN's centrality and unity and maintaining a rules-based regional structure in accordance with international law for people's interest.
The document repeated the commitment to peaceful and constructive cooperation of all sides to make the East Sea a region of peace, stability and prosperity through the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the early conclusion of a substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982)./.
The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs on November 15 held a consultation workshop of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC).
Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan on November 14 received the 48th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) delegation as part of their ongoing visit to the southern city from November 14-17.
Japanese ship Nippon Maru with 168 delegates of the 48th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) on board left Ho Chi Minh City on November 17 afternoon for other stops in their journey this year.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
