Vietnam highlights three decades of impactful ASEAN engagement
Speaking with the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s ASEAN membership (July 28, 1995 – 2025), Tran Ba Phuc, Chairman of the Vietnamese Business Association in Australia and Vice Chairman of the Overseas Vietnamese Business Association, emphasised Vietnam’s active role in strengthening intra-regional solidarity and promoting peace, order, and stability in the region.
Party General Secretary To Lam (front, left) attends the ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN on March 10, 2025. (Photo: VNA)
Sydney (VNA) ✱– Over the past 30 years, Vietnam has made substantial and diverse contributions to ASEAN, notably in the areas of politics-security, economy, and socio-cultural development, affirmed Tran Ba Phuc, Chairman of the Vietnamese Business Association in Australia.
Speaking with the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s ASEAN membership (July 28, 1995 – 2025), Phuc, who is also Vice Chairman of the Overseas Vietnamese Business Association, emphasised Vietnam’s active role in strengthening intra-regional solidarity and promoting peace, order, and stability in the region.
He noted that Vietnam has become a key link in ASEAN’s supply chains and has championed major trade pacts such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
In socio-cultural cooperation, Vietnam has regularly joined cultural exchange programmes and taken proactive steps to promote sustainability and environmental protection.
According to Phuc, ASEAN membership has helped Vietnam expand its export markets and attract investment from regional partners. The country has utilised the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) framework to push institutional reforms, boost competitiveness, and deepen regional integration. It has also played an important role in major connectivity initiatives like the East–West Economic Corridor and North–South Corriodor, contributing to ASEAN’s economic progress.
Vietnam’s growing role within ASEAN has positioned it as a bridge between member states and external partners. He highlighted that Vietnam has frequently put forward initiatives and fulfilled its chairmanship in 2020 with success, demonstrating an independent foreign policy while upholding ASEAN’s core values of consensus and unity.
He underlined Vietnam’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea in accordance with international law, as well as its leadership in emerging areas such as digital transformation and sustainable development.
Looking ahead, Phuc expressed confidence that by 2045, Vietnam will become a developed nation with a leading economic and political position within ASEAN, serving as a model for sustainable development, innovation, and digital transformation.
Vietnam not only plays a vital unifying role among ASEAN members but also serves as a key connector to global partners, contributing actively to building a strong, united ASEAN Community for peace, stability and prosperity, he noted./.
Indonesian experts shared a view that by 2045, Vietnam will stand as a driving force behind ASEAN’s continued centrality within the Indo-Pacific architecture, helping to sustain a resilient, integrated, and people-centred ASEAN.
Over the past 30 years alongside ASEAN, Vietnam has not only contributed to strengthening internal unity and building a resilient ASEAN Community, but also enhanced its own standing on the international stage.
Its shift towards a modern economic structure, with a growing services sector and a favourable demographic profile has made Vietnam an increasingly attractive destination for foreign investors. Vietnam is now regarded as a key growth driver within ASEAN.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Over the past five decades, the Vietnam - Angola relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
President Luong Cuong called on the two countries to join hands to promote South – South cooperation, contribute to building a fair and equal global political and economic order, safeguard independence and sovereignty, and promote extensive and substantive international solidarity and cooperation.
President Luong Cuong called on the community to remain united, integrate well into local society, adhere to local laws, and continue contributing to both Angola’s development and Vietnam – Angola relations.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Angola Carolina Cerqueira agreed to continue strengthening political trust, boost high-level delegation exchanges via all channels, including the parliamentary one, and create favourable legal conditions for bilateral cooperation.
