Vietnam's two most outstanding contributions to ASEAN

General Secretary To Lam and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents on the occasion of a state visit to Indonesia, agreeing to upgrade bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in March 2025. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

Promote peace , steadfastly lead

Vietnam has consistently promoted regional peace, stability and prosperity through dialogue, cooperation and multilateralism. Vietnam consistently emphasizes the importance of maintaining regional stability and respect for international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Vietnam has also played a proactive role in strengthening relations among ASEAN member states and promoting cooperation between ASEAN and its dialogue partners – through mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS).

Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Denny Abdi. (Photo: Thu Thao)

Vietnam's impressive economic growth, averaging 6.3% over the past 10 years, higher than the ASEAN average of 3.63%, has strengthened Vietnam's position as a growth engine, contributing to promoting regional economic development.

In addition, Vietnam has also demonstrated its prominent leadership role in ASEAN. In 1998, just three years after joining ASEAN, Vietnam made an important mark by hosting the 6th ASEAN Summit in Hanoi. In the context of the global financial crisis and the fragile regional economic situation, the summit adopted the Hanoi Plan of Action – a landmark document, reflecting Vietnam’s initiatives and proposals to narrow the development gap among ASEAN member states.

In 2020, during its term as ASEAN Chair, Vietnam successfully led the region through the initial and most difficult phase of the Covid-19 pandemic. Vietnam’s strong leadership has laid the foundation for ASEAN to be flexible, responsive and enhance cooperation in times of crisis.

Recently, Vietnam's strategic visionary initiatives such as the ASEAN Future Forum have become a valuable platform for strategic discussions, helping ASEAN enhance its capacity to anticipate and respond to emerging and future global challenges.

Such initiatives not only help ASEAN avoid a passive role in the face of global movements, but also position itself as an active and influential player in the international arena.

Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Denny Abdi (6th from right) attends the Ceremony to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in December 2024. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

A balanced, flexible approach

In addition to traditional development challenges, the world today is facing a range of increasingly complex issues – from escalating geopolitical tensions and trade conflicts to urgent demands for sustainable development. For ASEAN to effectively address current and future challenges, three key priorities must be maintained: unity, centrality and institutional capacity.

In that context, Vietnam has always been consistent in promoting the above-mentioned key priorities. Vietnam has also demonstrated an active and strategic role in handling complex regional challenges based on its independent and self-reliant foreign policy and Vietnam’s “bamboo diplomacy”.

This balanced, firm yet flexible approach has helped maintain stability within ASEAN, especially in promoting constructive cooperation with external partners.

Looking forward, Vietnam needs to continue its role in protecting ASEAN's centrality and promoting deeper solidarity among member states, especially in responding to regional and global challenges such as the East Sea issue, the situation in Myanmar, and other non-traditional security issues.

Vietnam’s visionary initiatives such as the ASEAN Future Forum are highly appreciated for creating a valuable platform for policymakers, experts and businesses in the region to engage in future-oriented dialogue, confront emerging challenges and seek new cooperation opportunities.

Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Denny Abdi (far right) takes a photo with Ambassadors at the flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 58th anniversary of ASEAN on August 8. (Photo: Facebook of the British Embassy in Vietnam)

The drive to realize the vision

The ASEAN Community Vision 2045 serves as a strategic roadmap to translate aspirations into concrete actions and enhance ASEAN’s ability to navigate global uncertainties and respond to emerging international challenges.

More than just a concept, the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 affirms ASEAN’s aspiration to become an influential and responsible global player. This vision reflects the strong and enduring commitment of ASEAN Member States to position the ASEAN Community as the growth hub of the Indo-Pacific region and a global partner for peace, stability and prosperity. ASEAN looks forward to a shared future in 2045 – resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred.

In that context, Indonesia and Vietnam’s shared aspiration to become high-income countries by 2045 is not only consistent with the goals of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 but also a key driver to realize that vision.

As the region’s two most dynamic and fastest-growing economies, together accounting for 55% of ASEAN’s population, Indonesia and Vietnam’s development will play an important role in strengthening regional peace and stability, promoting deeper economic integration and enhancing people-to-people connectivity – thereby bringing ASEAN closer to its Vision 2045.

The cooperation between Indonesia and Vietnam will therefore be crucial to the success of ASEAN, especially in strategic areas such as food security, digital economy, sustainable development and circular economy, as well as high-tech industries. Through close cooperation, the two countries can jointly shape a more resilient and integrated ASEAN Community.