Vietnam, Indonesia commit to deeper parliamentary cooperation
Mai noted that bilateral relations have made significant strides in recent years, particularly with the upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2025, a historic milestone that opened up a new chapter in bilateral cooperation.
The meeting between Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly’s Committee for Economic and Financial Affairs Phan Van Mai (third, right) and Mardani Ali Sera, head of the Indonesian delegation and Chair of the House of Representatives' Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Body (BKSAP) takes place on the sidelines of the 46th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-46) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo: daibieunhandan.vn)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly’s Committee for Economic and Financial Affairs Phan Van Mai met with Mardani Ali Sera, head of the Indonesian delegation and Chair of the House of Representatives' Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Body (BKSAP) on the sidelines of the 46th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-46) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on September 18.
Mai stressed that Vietnam and Indonesia enjoy a long-standing friendship, shared interests, and similar viewpoints as members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He noted that bilateral relations have made significant strides in recent years, particularly with the upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2025, a historic milestone that opened up a new chapter in bilateral cooperation.
For his part, Mardani Ali Sera congratulated Vietnam on its achievements, saying the country serves as a driving force for Southeast Asia. He called for swift implementation of the cooperation agreement between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Indonesian House of Representatives. He also highlighted the need to enhance people-to-people exchanges and strengthen the participation of women and youth in inter-parliamentary activities.
Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly’s Committee for Economic and Financial Affairs Phan Van Mai (fourth, from right) and Mardani Ali Sera, head of the Indonesian delegation and Chair of the House of Representatives' Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Body (third, from left). (Photo: daibieunhandan.vn)
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the growing ties between the two legislatures, which have become more substantive and effective at both bilateral and multilateral levels. They noted frequent delegation exchanges and experience sharing in law-making, while also creating a legal framework to foster cooperation in emerging fields such as green and circular economy, digital transformation, energy transition, semiconductor industry, and the development of electric vehicle and battery ecosystems.
The two officials agreed to further promote delegation exchanges and high-level contacts, and to effectively implement agreements reached by their leaders. They emphasised the importance of formulating an action programme to deploy the Vietnam – Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with parliamentary cooperation as a key component.
🧔 They also reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing legislative collaboration through coordinated oversight of bilateral agreements, facilitating comprehensive cooperation at both national and local levels, and deepening business and community linkages. Both sides pledged to reinforce ASEAN's unity and centrality, while supporting each other at regional and international forums, including inter-parliamentary platforms./.
NA Chairman Man emphasised that AIPA, together with its member parliaments, is playing a pioneering role in building a future of equal development opportunities and shared prosperity for all ASEAN people.
NA Chairman Man’s attendance at the event reaffirmed Vietnam’s role and contributions to AIPA-46, while demonstrating its readiness to continue working with member parliaments to strengthen intra-bloc solidarity and unity, safeguard a peaceful and stable environment, and build a strong, resilient ASEAN Community that continues to play a central role in the regional cooperation architecture.
Running through September 20, the event marks the first time an official platform has been created within the AIPA framework to connect the private sector with policymakers, aiming to discuss pressing issues such as economic growth, sustainability, digitalisation, and social inclusion.
President Luong Cuong's reception for the UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man's activities at AIPA-46 in Malaysia, and Defence Minister Phan Van Giang's meetings with his counterparts in Beijing are among news highlights on September 18 evening.
Amidst global competition and shifting international order, cultural diplomacy is increasingly seen as a strategic instrument for nations to affirm their positions and bring into play soft power. The Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporter spoke with Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Nguyen Minh Vu about the mission of cultural diplomacy in the new era.
The two sides will continue to coordinate in inspection, control, and strict management of people, vehicles, and goods crossing the border and border gates, and to create a smooth environment for cross-border travel in compliance with each country’s laws.
The two leaders expressed their delight at the increasingly consolidated, close, effective, and practical cooperation between the two countries and the two legislatures, as well as their close coordination in implementing the contents of the cooperation agreement between the two legislative bodies.
Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Khac Dinh urged France to continue to serve as an active bridge between Vietnam and the EU, and expressed hope that the delegation’s visit would help translate high-level agreements into concrete substantive outcomes.
Nghia congratulated Australia on its recent achievements, welcomed the positive results of Governor-General Sam Mostyn’s recent state visit to Vietnam, and reaffirmed that the CPV and the Vietnamese Government attach great importance to Australia’s role.
Dong stressed that the outcomes of recent high-level exchanges between the two Parties and States would create favourable conditions for the two armies to step up more substantive and effective cooperation, contributing to the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and the building of a Vietnam–China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Pauline Tamesis, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, commended Vietnam’s decisive policies on international integration, digital transformation, energy security, education and healthcare, placing people and businesses at the centre.
Appreciating the increasingly close and substantive cooperation between Vietnam and the IMF, the PM affirmed that Vietnam always treasures the fund’s active and effective support throughout the process of innovation, door opening, and international integration, which has made important contributions to consolidating macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation, promoting growth, as well as enhancing macroeconomic management and governance capacity.
Lai Chau has made important strides during 2020–2025 thanks to unity and resilience. The province’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) expanded by an average of 5.4% annually, reaching 32.6 trillion VND (1.23 billion USD), while per capita income rose to about 65 million VND per year, up 21.3 million VND from 2020.
Under Decision No. 2087/QD-TTg, Nguyen Tuan Hung was reappointed as Deputy General Director of the Vietnam News Agency. The decision took effective on September 17.
Major General Nguyen Ba Luc, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, expressed delight at the fruitful outcomes of Vietnam–Cambodia defence cooperation, which has remained a key pillar of bilateral relations. Highlights include delegation exchanges at all levels, particularly high-level visits; the Defence Policy Dialogue mechanism, consultations, and information exchange.
Chien noted that the upgrade of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2025 was a historic milestone, reflecting the strong political will of both sides to advance cooperation in a more reliable, practical, and effective manner. Defence and security cooperation is a key pillar of this partnership, he said.
The elections of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 tenure will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026. These are major political events of great significance for the country and each locality as they will be organised 40 years after “Doi moi” (renewal).
The two sides also explored potential areas for further cooperation, including logistics, military medicine, search and rescue operations, and UN peacekeeping. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to coordinating closely with and supporting each other in international forums, particularly within the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).
The Party chief described the bills as major, complex issues demanding brainpower to address real-world obstacles and ensure legal consistency, with the goal of unlocking resources and turning institutions and laws into a competitive edge for economic growth.
The head of the European Parliament delelegation at AIPA-46 highlighted the effective implementation of the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), describing it as a model for the EU’s negotiations with other partners.
Da Nang's GRDP is projected to grow at an average of 11% per year during 2026–2030, with per capita GRDP reaching 8,500 USD. State budget revenue is expected to rise by at least 10% annually; the private sector is projected to grow 11.5–12% per year; and the digital economy is anticipated to account for 35–40% of GRDP.
