This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Indonesia, a partnership rooted in the historic friendship between President Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam and President Sukarno of Indonesia and steadily nurtured by generations of leaders and people from both countries.

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Ta Van Thong, Indonesia was the first Southeast Asian country to officially establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam on December 30, 1955. Over the past seven decades, bilateral ties have expanded steadily across political, economic, defence and people-to-people exchanges, forming a resilient and trust-based relationship.

The anniversary comes at a particularly significant moment, as Vietnam and Indonesia recently elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The upgrade was formalised during the state visit of Party General Secretary To Lam to Indonesia in March 2025, at the invitation of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. The move made Vietnam Indonesia’s first comprehensive strategic partner within ASEAN, setting a new benchmark in bilateral relations.

Economically, Vietnam and Indonesia have emerged as key partners within the region. Indonesia is currently Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner in ASEAN, while the latter ranks fourth among the former’s trading partners in the bloc. Despite global economic uncertainties, bilateral trade and investment ties have maintained positive momentum. Indonesia now ranks among the top 30 foreign investors in Vietnam, with total registered investment capital approaching US$700 million.

These figures, however, represent only a fraction of the potential cooperation between the two fast-growing economies. The ambassador said Indonesia, the world’s 16th-largest economy and Southeast Asia’s biggest market, and Vietnam, one of the region’s most dynamic manufacturing hubs, possess complementary strengths that can be further leveraged.

Both sides see untapped opportunities in emerging and high-value sectors such as Halal-certified products, agriculture, clean and renewable energy, digital economy, high technology, electric vehicle ecosystems, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.

Strengthening policy dialogue, harmonising regulations, easing certification procedures and promoting joint production are viewed as critical steps towards unlocking this potential, stated the diplomat.

Looking ahead, he said, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is expected to serve as a solid framework for deeper and more structured cooperation. Leaders of the two countries have agreed to develop an Action Programme for 2025–2030, focusing on trade, investment, agriculture, digital transformation, green growth and energy transition.

Defence and security cooperation is also set to remain a key pillar, with expanded exchanges, joint training, maritime cooperation and coordination in combating transnational crime and terrorism. At the same time, cultural exchanges, education, tourism and people-to-people ties are anticipated to gain further momentum, reinforcing mutual understanding.

In the context of mounting global challenges, Ambassador Thong noted, climate change has emerged as a shared priority. Both Vietnam and Indonesia have made strong commitments to reducing carbon emissions and are exploring closer cooperation in renewable energy, energy transition, carbon storage and the development of a sustainable green economy.

At the multilateral level, the two countries continue to work closely within ASEAN and benefit from regional frameworks such as the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), providing additional impetus for trade expansion and economic integration.

Seventy years after the establishment of diplomatic ties, Vietnam–Indonesia relations are no longer defined solely by history, but increasingly by shared strategic interests and future-oriented cooperation. With political trust as its foundation and economic and technological collaboration as new drivers, Ambassador Thong said, the partnership will certainly achieve further breakthroughs in the years ahead.

Vietnam and Indonesia hold Defence Policy Dialogue in Jakarta

VOV.VN - Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defence of Vietnam, and Lieutenant General Tri Budi Utomo, Secretary General of the Indonesian Ministry of Defence co-chaired the 4th Vietnam–Indonesia Defence Policy Dialogue in Jakarta on September 18.