30 years of Vietnam joining ASEAN - From common aspirations to a trustworthy and responsible member

Photo caption

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son speaks. Photo: An Dang/VNA

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Three decades ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam joined ASEAN as a strategic decision of historic significance, opening a new chapter in the integration process and starting the country's strong journey of development. The past thirty years have been a vivid demonstration of the vision and political mettle of our Party and State in building and consolidating a peaceful and cooperative environment for development. Vietnam came to ASEAN in a spirit of friendship and participated in ASEAN with a sense of responsibility. And today, in a world that is changing rapidly, Vietnam, with a new mindset and a new attitude, will continue to work with other countries to write ASEAN's success stories in a new era of development.

A historic decision, a strategic vision

In the early 1990s, Vietnam faced a historic turning point in the Doi Moi process, both striving to overcome the socio -economic crisis and gradually breaking the siege of isolation and embargo that had lasted for many years. In that context, foreign affairs were identified as a strategic breakthrough to create a peaceful, stable and cooperative environment, first of all in the region, to help the country escape the crisis and open up new development space. Diplomatic thoughts imbued with Ho Chi Minh's identity such as "more friends, less enemies", "making friends with all countries", "being unchanging, responding to all changes" were flexibly and creatively applied in new realities, illuminating Vietnam's innovative foreign policy thinking. On that foundation, the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification was gradually established and steadfastly implemented.

At the same time, the world entered the post-Cold War era, where ideological confrontation gradually gave way to the trend of cooperation, integration and globalization. In this strong wave of movement, Southeast Asian countries soon realized that only by strengthening ties and consolidating collective strength could they stand firm and develop. Historical “knots” in relations between countries in the region were gradually untied, becoming a catalyst for reconciliation, cohesion and cooperation. The barriers of the past gradually gave way to trust and goodwill for countries to come closer together, working together for peace, stability and development.

The meeting between Vietnam’s desire for innovation and ASEAN’s desire to expand cooperation, converging with the world’s peace and development trend, has brought us the opportunity of “heavenly time, favorable location, and harmony between people”. Joining ASEAN, therefore, is not only a foreign policy step, but also a proactive and courageous strategic choice of our Party and State, with comprehensive innovation in both thinking and action, that is, taking integration as a driving force, taking the region as a fulcrum, taking cooperation as a path for stable and long-term development.

The history of the nation has had, is having and will continue to have turning points, in which joining ASEAN will forever be remembered as a decision with strategic vision, epochal stature and intellectual height, marking Vietnam's transformation into a proactive, active and responsible member of the region and the world.

30 years of persistent efforts: affirming Vietnam's mettle and mark

ASEAN not only opens the door to integration, but also creates a belt of peace, security and development right in Vietnam's key strategic region. With that deep awareness, Vietnam enters the ASEAN common house with a proactive, responsible mindset and a desire to contribute effectively. Over the past 30 years, Vietnam has always been an important link in ASEAN, sharing strategic goals and visions, promoting consensus and unified action.

Vietnam’s first and consistent contribution is its efforts to strengthen solidarity and consensus, the core values that make up ASEAN’s success and identity. In a region with diverse interests, political regimes and development levels, consensus does not come from similarities, but is formed through consultation, trust and shared responsibilities. With a balanced and goodwill approach, Vietnam contributes to harmonizing differences and increasing similarities, maintaining ASEAN’s common voice on regional strategic issues on the basis of principles of international law, the United Nations Charter and the ASEAN Charter.

If consensus is the result of a shared vision, then action is the measure of effectiveness. In this respect, Vietnam has played a good role in bridging policy and practice, meeting the practical interests of people, businesses and localities. From the Hanoi Declaration on narrowing the development gap in 2001, COVID-19 response initiatives to the 2021 High-Level Forum on Sub-regional Development, Vietnam has always been a pioneer in promoting equitable and inclusive development. In particular, our approach of “taking people as the center, the goal and the driving force of the Community building process” has been incorporated into the consistent orientation of the ASEAN 2045 document.

Vietnam is also an active factor in promoting the partnership network and enhancing ASEAN's influence. We contribute to deepening the relationship between ASEAN and its partners, consolidating ASEAN's central role in the regional structure, and promoting ASEAN's participation in global agendas, from new growth areas such as digital transformation, renewable energy, science and technology, to transnational issues such as climate change, epidemics, maritime security, and food security. Linking the common interests of the region with the world, Vietnam has pioneered many initiatives, typically the success of the ASEAN Future Forum over the past two years, opening up opportunities for inclusive policy dialogue on new trends, contributing to shaping thinking and long-term cooperation solutions.

*New thinking and new attitude: Ready for the new journey of the ASEAN Community

30 years ago, Vietnam joined ASEAN with a strategic decision of historic significance. In a turbulent world, Vietnam once again stands before the opportunity of "heavenly time, favorable terrain, and favorable people" to be ready to contribute more to ASEAN in the new era. The country's position and strength have increased after nearly 40 years of Doi Moi, with the aspiration to break through from the era of national development. Along with that is the international community's trust in Vietnam's role, prestige, and leadership capacity in cooperation processes. ASEAN is also entering a new phase with Vision 2045, continuing to affirm itself as a successful model of peace, stability, and cooperation. On that foundation, we have identified five major orientations to continue participating in creating ASEAN's success.

First of all, maintaining a strategic space for peace and stability. Vietnam needs to continue working with other countries to consolidate consensus, enhance strategic trust, maintain ASEAN's central role, promote principles and standards of conduct, and uphold the rule of law.

Second, expand economic space, promote initiatives to exploit the intra-bloc market, effectively utilize FTAs with partners and diversify links with dynamic and potential partners.

Third, build an innovation space where ASEAN becomes a destination for breakthrough ideas and solutions based on digital transformation, science-technology, and innovation.

Fourth, shaping an inclusive development space where people, businesses, and localities enjoy the fruits of their labor fairly, and are facilitated to participate more deeply in the process of building the Community.

Finally, connecting the socio-cultural space to enrich the Community’s identity, strengthen friendship and understanding among peoples. This is the internal source of strength that unites the Community, creating a solid foundation for a united, sharing and cohesive ASEAN.

Looking back over the past 30 years, each commitment, each action, each initiative has portrayed a proactive, responsible and dedicated Vietnam for ASEAN. It is not only a journey of integration, but also a journey of affirming its mettle, spreading values and sharing the future with the region. Entering a new phase, with a new mindset and a new attitude, Vietnam will continue to accompany other countries in building a self-reliant, inclusive and sustainable ASEAN Community.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/30-nam-viet-nam-tham-gia-asean-tu-khat-vong-chung-den-thanh-vien-tin-cay-va-trach-nhiem-20250807230222894.htm