Impressed with Vietnam's deep mark in ASEAN

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Vietnam Urawadee Sriphiromya on February 7. (Source: VNA)

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Important contributions are demonstrated through Vietnam's continuous participation in promoting peace , security and stability in the region, while remaining steadfast in the principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and the ASEAN Charter. Vietnam has played an important role in realizing the aspiration of ASEAN's founding fathers to build an organization that encompasses all Southeast Asian countries.

Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Urawadee Sriphiromya. (Source: Thai Embassy in Vietnam)

Vietnam has successfully assumed the role of ASEAN Chair three times. In December 1998, the “ Hanoi Plan of Action” was adopted at the 6th ASEAN Summit, laying the foundation for cooperation towards the ASEAN Vision 2020.

In 2010, as ASEAN Chair, Vietnam promoted the expansion of the East Asia Summit (EAS) membership with the participation of Russia and the United States. Vietnam also initiated the expansion of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+) mechanism, contributing to further strengthening relations between ASEAN and external partners.

Even during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Vietnam led the regional joint effort to effectively respond to the pandemic.

To maintain regional peace and stability, Vietnam always actively supports efforts and initiatives to promote international and regional maritime safety and security, as well as respect for freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, and the settlement of disputes by peaceful means based on international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son met with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Malaysia in July 2025. (Source: Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Economically, Vietnam has played an important role in promoting regional economic growth and sustainable prosperity. To realize these goals, Vietnam is a key factor in narrowing the development gap among member states, especially through the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI).

With its strategic economic advantages, Vietnam has great potential to contribute to regional connectivity through initiatives such as the East-West Economic Corridor and the North-South Corridor. ASEAN is currently Vietnam’s fourth largest export market and third largest import market, with total trade turnover between Vietnam and ASEAN countries reaching 83.6 billion USD in 2024.

With a target of at least 8% GDP growth in 2025 and reaching double-digit growth in the following years, while promoting green growth, high technology and innovation, Vietnam is well-positioned to drive ASEAN’s economic growth and digital transformation for decades to come.

Working together for a common vision

Over the past 60 years, ASEAN has demonstrated its strength and resilience, serving as a driving force for peace, security and economic growth in the region, and has increasingly become an important player at the international level.

Today, ASEAN is facing a period of uncertainty and volatility. Geopolitical tensions and global challenges in tariffs and trade are affecting ASEAN’s economic outlook and supply chains. At the same time, ASEAN member states are facing increasingly complex traditional and non-traditional security challenges such as climate change, cyber security, transnational crime and future trends.

In the face of these challenges and to turn them into opportunities, ASEAN needs to chart a new path of development based on the spirit of solidarity and unity, with a people-centered approach. The shared vision and aspiration of a “resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centered” ASEAN Community must be promoted through ASEAN-led mechanisms, based on trust, respect and mutual benefit.

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Vietnam Urawadee Sriphiromya at the "Meet Thailand" Conference event in August 2024. (Photo: TH)

ASEAN member states need to remain steadfast in maintaining peace and stability, promoting multilateralism, and building a strong regional architecture with ASEAN at its core in these challenging times.

As a proactive member of ASEAN, Vietnam can contribute to collective efforts in many aspects. As the ASEAN coordinator for Sustainable Development Cooperation, Thailand is ready to work closely with Vietnam and other member countries to realize the common vision.

Firstly , in order to build a more sustainable and resilient ASEAN, Vietnam, with its goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and its outstanding advances in technological development, can support ASEAN in promoting a green, smart and innovative region.

Second , Vietnam can promote the ASEAN integration process when it is actively implementing the agenda of connecting, developing and fully exploiting regional transport routes via road, air and sea to serve the supply chain, economic benefits as well as enhance people-to-people exchanges in the region.

Third , Vietnam can play a role in facilitating dialogue and providing input to policymakers among ASEAN member states and with external partners to shape ASEAN’s future. The “ASEAN Future Forum” initiative initiated by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in 2023 is a valuable platform for ASEAN to play a leading role in diplomacy and dialogue.