Standing with ASEAN

Ambassador Ton Thi Ngoc Huong, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to ASEAN, told Jakarta-based VOV correspondents that Vietnam’s 30-year journey with ASEAN has been defined by responsible engagement and increasingly deep integration into the regional bloc. The country has consistently demonstrated a proactive and constructive spirit, not only adapting to ASEAN’s mechanisms but also shaping its direction and development trajectory.

“Vietnam not only listens, but also connects. We not only accompany, but also help bridge differences and amplify common ground among member states and between ASEAN and its partners,” the Ambassador said, adding this approach has been instrumental in maintaining ASEAN’s unity and centrality in an increasingly volatile world.

Thanks to Vietnam’s active contributions, the vision of an ASEAN-10 encompassing all Southeast Asian nations became a reality in 1999 with the accession of Laos and Myanmar in 1997–1998 and Cambodia in 1999. This milestone marked a new chapter in ASEAN’s history, empowering the bloc to strengthen internal solidarity and expand external partnerships, reinforcing ASEAN’s position as a nucleus for regional cooperation and dialogue.

Vietnam has served as ASEAN Chair three times, in 1998, 2010, and 2020, with each tenure marking significant achievements. The country has also successfully assumed roles as coordinator for ASEAN’s relations with key dialogue partners such as China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, and the European Union.

It has made notable contributions to shaping ASEAN’s long-term strategic direction, including through ASEAN Vision 2020, the ASEAN Community Vision, the ASEAN Charter, and most recently, the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, a blueprint for a sustainable, dynamic, and resilient ASEAN in the decades to come.

Ambassador Huong emphasised that, building on its three-decade legacy, Vietnam continues to play an active and responsible role in ASEAN through major undertakings. The country is leading the ASEAN Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Task Force during the initiative’s 25th anniversary, spearheading the development of the IAI Work Plan V for 2026–2030. This plan is expected to be adopted at the 47th ASEAN Summit, with Vietnam guiding efforts to align it closely with the core objectives of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

As country coordinator for ASEAN-New Zealand Relations for 2024-2027, it is preparing for the 50th anniversary of ASEAN–New Zealand relations in 2025, aiming to elevate the partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and adopt a new Action Plan for 2026–2030.

As country coordinator for ASEAN–UK Relations for 2026–2030, it is stepping up the implementation of the 2022-2026 Action Plan, now at a 95% implementation rate, while preparing for the 5th anniversary of the ASEAN–UK Dialogue Partnership in 2026 and formulating the next Action Plan for 2027–2031.

Ambassador Huong stressed that successfully delivering on these three major responsibilities amid rising multilateral challenges would represent a significant and meaningful contribution by Vietnam at a pivotal time for ASEAN. It would help enhance regional integration, reinforce ASEAN’s centrality, and elevate the bloc’s global standing.

Thriving with ASEAN

Joining ASEAN has marked a strategic turning point in Vietnam’s journey toward international economic integration, unlocking a wide range of opportunities for both economic growth and institutional development.

Today, ASEAN stands as Vietnam’s fourth largest export market and third largest import partner. Since its accession in 1995, two-way trade has skyrocketed more than 25 times, from US$3.26 billion to an estimated US$83.6 billion in 2024. This growth has been further fueled by ASEAN’s Free Trade Area (FTA) network and regional agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), providing Vietnam broader access to regional markets, greater export growth, and increased foreign investment.

According to the diplomat, the RCEP allows Vietnam to engage in a market space with a combined GDP exceeding US$26 trillion, equivalent to 30% of global GDP, and representing 30% of the world’s population.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Vietnamese businesses and citizens to benefit in practical and effective ways from global economic integration,” she noted.

Beyond trade, Vietnam’s engagement in ASEAN cooperation mechanisms, particularly across the three pillars of the ASEAN Community, namely the ASEAN Political-Security Community, the ASEAN Economic Community, and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, has brought tangible benefits in various fields: combatting transnational crime, sustainable development, maritime cooperation, environmental protection, climate change response, and disaster risk reduction.

ASEAN also fosters collaboration in education, youth exchange, startup support, emergency healthcare coordination, and emerging economic issues such as digital transformation, green transition, and adoption of smart technologies. These create new avenues that Vietnam must continue to harness effectively, ensuring that the benefits of integration reach the broader public and business community.

Through active participation in ASEAN’s evolving cooperation frameworks, Vietnam continues to gain invaluable experience and skills for its workforce in international integration. These ASEAN-centred lessons are also applicable in broader multilateral engagements and global forums.

Carrying forward the success story

As ASEAN navigates a rapidly changing global and regional landscape, it faces both new opportunities and complex challenges. Under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, the bloc is focusing on three key priorities - strengthening unity and ASEAN centrality, boosting intra-regional economic cooperation, and diversifying markets to reduce overreliance on traditional partners.

Efforts such as the ASEAN–China–GCC Summit, held alongside the 46th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia in May 2025, illustrate the region’s drive to tap into new growth spaces and reinforce open economic engagement. For countries like Vietnam whose economy remains highly open and trade-dependent, this is a vital strategy.

Ambassador Huong noted Vietnam’s proactive approach in shaping regional norms and “rules of the game” alongside ASEAN, with a strong commitment to safeguarding peace, security, and stability. The country contributes actively to regional dialogue and cooperation, strengthening ASEAN-led mechanisms and forums. This creates a favourable environment for national development and promotes inclusive, rules-based cooperation grounded in the UN Charter, ASEAN Charter, and international law.

As ASEAN charts its future through the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, Vietnam is aligning its national aspirations, particularly its centennial development goals, with regional priorities. It pledges to remain a proactive, responsible member, harmonising national interests with the collective interests of ASEAN to generate synergy and shared success.

According to the Ambassador, Vietnam will continue its efforts to fully capitalise on ASEAN’s dynamic economic landscape. One of the top priorities is leveraging trends in green transition, digital transformation, technological innovation, and upgrading its role in regional supply chains. These efforts are key to accelerating the country's global integration and realising its long-term development ambitions.

30 years on: Vietnam emerges as a major actor in ASEAN’s future

VOV.VN - Thirty years after joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vietnam has progressed from a learning participant to a major actor, helping to shape the bloc’s development path, according to Ambassador Ton Thi Ngoc Huong, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to ASEAN.