Unity in building an open Southeast Asia

Since joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1995, Vietnam has made significant contributions, leaving a lasting impact on the bloc and its member states.

Maintaining a proactive, responsible, and committed spirit, Vietnam has stood alongside ASEAN members over the past 30 years, to preserve unity and solidarity, strengthening the bloc’s central role for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in Southeast Asia.

The year 2025 marks a special milestone for Vietnam’s regional integration and ASEAN’s development as the bloc prepares to enter a new phase after a decade of advancing its three core pillars: political-security, economic, and socio-cultural communities.

Having successfully served as ASEAN Chair twice in 2010 and 2020, Vietnam has actively and seriously implemented key initiatives to enhance intra-bloc unity and resilience, reinforcing ASEAN’s central role and driving the ASEAN Community-building process forward.

Vietnam’s mark is evident across various ASEAN cooperation mechanisms, where its initiatives have made a strong impact. In addition to organising major ASEAN summits, Vietnam has chaired numerous meetings and forums on intra-bloc, regional, and international cooperation. Alongside other member states, Vietnam has prioritised ASEAN connectivity and strengthening relations with global partners.

From advocating for the formation of ASEAN-10 in the late 1990s to key documents such as the 2001 Hanoi Declaration on Narrowing Development Gaps, the Hanoi Plan of Action 1999–2004, the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ), and the Hanoi Declaration on ASEAN’s Post-2025 Vision, Vietnam has played a pivotal role in shaping ASEAN’s strategic policies.

The ASEAN Future Forum (AFF), successfully held twice in Hanoi, has gradually become a true ASEAN-led forum for ASEAN itself, reaffirming Vietnam’s leadership in shaping the region’s strategic vision.

Through this platform, Vietnam has proposed practical solutions to enhance ASEAN’s adaptability to global challenges, strengthen regional cooperation, and develop flexible mechanisms to navigate geopolitical changes.

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn has praised AFF as a crucial bridge that helps the region swiftly respond to global fluctuations, ensuring ASEAN’s steady progress and maintaining its central role in regional architecture.

Beyond its efforts to strengthen intra-bloc and regional connectivity, Vietnam has effectively served as a bridge in expanding ASEAN’s external relations, helping ASEAN deepen global integration, foster multilateral cooperation, and elevate its international presence.

As a coordinator for ASEAN’s partnerships with China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the UK, and New Zealand, Vietnam has left a strong impression as a sincere and reliable partner.

Notably, key recommendations from the 2024 AFF were conveyed to the UN Summit of the Future, aligning ASEAN’s regional vision with global goals. This reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to multilateralism in tackling global challenges and advancing peace and sustainable development.

Throughout its ASEAN journey, Vietnam has consistently placed the highest priority on ASEAN unity and solidarity, ensuring the sustainability of ASEAN’s norms and principles.

After 30 years, with remarkable national achievements, Vietnam is increasingly proactive and ready to make even greater contributions to a united, resilient, and open ASEAN Community.

NDO