Bright spots in Vietnam-Malaysia relations

This assessment was made by Professor, Dr. Awang Azman Awang Pawi, a socio-political analyst at the University of Malaya in Malaysia, in a recent media interview.

According to Prof. Awang, Vietnam represents one of the ASEAN member states with which Malaysia boasts a long-standing relationship which has developed into a strategic partnership since 2015. The economic partnership is a key pillar of joint ties under the leadership of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Bilateral trade between the two countries has witnessed significant growth, with the trade volume reaching nearly US$10 billion in just the first eight months of the year, up 15.2% over the same period from last year.

This drastic upturn in trade is therefore a testament to the commitment of both countries to foster closer economic ties whilst expanding the trade portfolio between the two nations.

One of the areas where both countries are particularly keen to collaborate in is high-tech and digital innovation.

As Malaysia embarks on its journey to become a digital economy hub, the country’s city of Putrajaya sees Vietnam as a valuable partner in sharing technology and expertise.

Rapid Vietnamese advances in technology and digitaliszation therefore make it an ideal partner for Malaysia in the sector, where both countries can benefit from technology transfer and joint ventures, the analyst said.

Dr. Awang assessed that investment between the two countries will also increase, adding that Malaysian expertise in infrastructure development, halal industry certification, and renewable energy all serve to provide plenty of opportunities for Vietnamese businesses to co-operate alongside Malaysian partners.

A significant development in this regard is Vietnamese interest in expanding its halal industry, with Malaysia offering its Halal expertise. This could therefore pave the way for Vietnamese businesses to tap into the global halal market, which is estimated to be worth trillions of US$, while also boosting economic ties between the two countries.

Tourism is another important area of ​​economic collaboration. Malaysia has emerged as the second largest source of ASEAN tourists to the Vietnamese market, with over 360,000 Malaysians visiting the country during the past nine months of the year. This influx of Malaysian tourists highlights the growing people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, which in turn contributes to the strengthening of cultural ties and deepening mutual understanding.

Referring to people-to-people ties and cross-cultural exchanges, Prof. Awang said that in addition to economic and strategic ties, people-to-people exchanges represent an essential component of the mutual relationship.

The growing number of tourists between the two sides is a clear sign of deepening cultural exchanges. This relationship is further strengthened through educational ties and student exchanges, with many Vietnamese students studying at Malaysian educational establishments and vice versa.

The Ibrahim government has recognized the importance of fostering these cultural and social connections in order to lay the foundation for long-term bilateral relations. In this sense, citizen diplomacy not only helps to enhance Malaysia’s image abroad, but also to build goodwill and mutual respect between both Malaysians and Vietnamese.

Looking ahead to the future prospects of bilateral relations when Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Prof. Awang said that this will be a great opportunity for PM Ibrahim to further advance diplomatic relations in the broader regional context.

As Malaysia assumes this leadership role, the two countries will focus on key issues such as digital innovation, inclusiveness, and sustainability, particularly as Vietnam’s co-operation will be crucial.

PM Ibrahim’s vision for ASEAN emphasizes regional unity, shared prosperity, and resilience. Malaysia’s partnership with Vietnam, especially in addressing common challenges such as food security and energy security, will therefore be of great importance for achieving these goals.

Both countries stand ready to play a leading role in shaping the future of ASEAN, ensuring that the region remains a bastion of peace, stability, and economic growth, he went on to say.

Assessing the overall Malaysia-Vietnam relationship, Prof. Awang said that under the leadership of PM Ibrahim, joint ties have reached new heights, with the highlight being strong economic relations, strategic co-operation, and a shared commitment to addressing regional challenges.

The partnership between these two ASEAN members reflects a broader vision of regional unity and resilience, where co-operation, innovation, and mutual support represent the key aspects to achieving common goals.

When Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, the Malaysia-Vietnam relationship will be crucial to the goal of promoting a prosperous and sustainable future for the whole region moving forward.