This was affirmed by Tran Ba Phuc, member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Chairman of the Vietnamese Business Association in Australia, and Vice Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Abroad, in a recent media interview in Australia on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), from July 28, 1995 to July 28, 2025.

In the economic sphere, Vietnam has become an important link in the regional supply chain and has actively pushed up major trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

In the socio-cultural field, Vietnam has regularly participated in cultural exchange programs and has strongly supported sustainable development and environmental protection.

According to Tran Ba Phuc, Vietnam has taken full advantage of the opportunities of ASEAN membership to expand export markets and attract foreign investment, particularly from member states.

Through the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the country has pursued institutional reforms and streamlined procedures to enhance its competitiveness, deepen integration, and foster regional economic development. The country has also proactively engaged in regional connectivity initiatives such as the East–West Economic Corridor and the North–South Economic Corridor, thereby contributing to ASEAN’s overall growth.

He noted that Vietnam’s role within ASEAN has steadily grown. The country now serves as a bridge between member states and external partners, and frequently puts forward its own initiatives. Vietnam successfully assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020, asserting an independent position while upholding the principles of consensus and intra-bloc solidarity.

Vietnam has played an active role in maintaining peace and order in the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea) based on international law and conventions, while augmenting cooperation in new areas such as digital transformation, green growth, and sustainable development.

As for ASEAN, Tran Ba Phuc emphasized that to maintain its central position in the region, the bloc must remain united, respect each other’s sovereignty, uphold the principles of consensus and non-interference, proactively adapt to global changes, reform its cooperation model, and strengthen its resilience.
To reinforce its own position, Vietnam can continue contributing by promoting institutional development, boosting deeper economic integration, and actively maintaining regional security and sustainable growth.

Given its current role in ASEAN, Ba Phuc expressed hope that by 2045, Vietnam will have become a developed nation with leading economic and political standing in the region, serving as a model of sustainable development, innovation, and digital transformation.

Vietnam not only acts as a unifying force within ASEAN, but also has the potential to serve as a key link between ASEAN and its global strategic partners. With its proactive and responsible approach, Vietnam remains a vital contributor to building a united and resilient ASEAN Community committed to peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the region.

Vietnam not only plays a unifying role among ASEAN member states, but also act as an effective bridge between ASEAN and its global strategic partners. With a spirit of proactiveness and responsibility, the nation remains a positive and constructive contributor to the building of a united, resilient ASEAN Community for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, he added.

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