2025 marks the 30th anniversary of Vietnam joining ASEAN (July 28, 1995 - July 28, 2025). (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Four highlights
According to Professor Chu Hoang Long, in 30 years of accompanying ASEAN, Vietnam has made many important contributions, notably in four points:
First, Vietnam played a key role in promoting the expansion of ASEAN membership, especially the admission of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. This helped ASEAN complete the structure of a comprehensive “one Southeast Asia” instead of a fragmented regional bloc, while strengthening intra-bloc solidarity in the context of increasingly fierce strategic competition among major powers.
Second, Vietnam is a key factor in promoting ASEAN's cooperation policy based on the spirit of self-reliance, respect for common interests and upholding international law. These principles are also clearly reflected in Vietnam's diplomatic philosophy and have been incorporated into the ASEAN Charter.
Third, Vietnam is one of the most important economic drivers of ASEAN. With its high and stable growth rate, Vietnam contributes to raising the economic position of the whole Association on the world map.
Fourth, Vietnam has repeatedly successfully assumed the role of coordinating and leading ASEAN activities in difficult times. Notable milestones include 1998 – the time of the Asian financial crisis – and 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic spread, Vietnam held the position of ASEAN Chair, effectively coordinating the association’s relations with major partners such as the European Union (EU), the United States, China, Japan, South Korea and India.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and ASEAN leaders signed the ASEAN 2045 Declaration within the framework of the ASEAN Summit on May 25 in Malaysia. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
Strategic integration turning point
Professor Chu Hoang Long emphasized that joining ASEAN is a strategic turning point in Vietnam's international economic integration process, opening up many opportunities for development in both economic and institutional terms.
Firstly, Vietnam has significantly expanded its export market and attracted investment capital. Participation in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and trade agreements between ASEAN and major partners have helped Vietnam access an increasingly expanding market – from about 500 million people in 1995 to nearly 700 million people today.
Second , ASEAN creates momentum for institutional reform and competitiveness enhancement. Integration commitments require Vietnam to continuously improve its legal, business and governance environments, thereby helping to improve economic efficiency and labor productivity.
Third , ASEAN supports Vietnam in developing human resources, technology and infrastructure. Vietnam has effectively utilized ASEAN's training cooperation programs, technology transfer and development assistance to improve the quality of internal development.
In the context of complex world changes, Professor Chu Hoang Long assessed that Vietnam is increasingly affirming its central role in ASEAN, both at the strategic level and in long-term development orientation.
Vietnam is actively participating in the process of building the “ASEAN Community Vision 2045”, a strategy for sustainable development, security integration and connectivity promotion. Notably, the 2045 milestone also coincides with the time when Vietnam aims to become a high-income developed country, creating strategic consensus between national and regional development orientations.
With its strategic geographical location near major economic centers, Vietnam has also emerged as an important “node” connecting ASEAN and leading partners such as the US, China, Japan, and South Korea. Trade negotiation efforts, especially from the US, show that Vietnam is being considered a priority partner in the global economic and geopolitical strategy.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son attended and made many important contributions within the framework of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting recently held in Malaysia. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
Bridge of friendship, unified vision
According to Professor Long, thanks to its independent, balanced and friendly foreign policy, Vietnam can play the role of mediator between parties, coordinating disagreements within and outside ASEAN. The image of a “bridge” country was clearly demonstrated through Vietnam’s hosting of the US-North Korea Summit in 2019 and can absolutely continue to be promoted in the future.
Professor Chu Hoang Long emphasized that, in the context of increasingly complex strategic competition among major powers, ASEAN's top priority now is to maintain intra-bloc solidarity and a unified development vision.
In the face of sensitive issues such as the East Sea, maritime security, or technological and economic competition among major countries, ASEAN needs to maintain a common voice. As a key member, Vietnam can contribute to the process of building trust and promoting dialogue among member countries as well as with external partners.
In addition, ASEAN needs to strengthen its institutional capacity to effectively respond to transnational challenges. Vietnam can make a positive contribution by proposing and implementing specific initiatives in areas of strength such as digital transformation, innovation and green development.
On the other hand, deepening partnerships with partners such as the US, China, Japan, the EU, South Korea and India will be an important driving force for ASEAN to strengthen its role in the regional and global architecture. With a substantive foreign policy and a wide network of strategic relationships, Vietnam can continue to play the role of an effective “connector”, promoting the harmonious interests between ASEAN and its external partners.
Looking forward to 2045 – the 100th anniversary of the country’s founding, Professor Chu Hoang Long believes that Vietnam has enough foundation and capacity to become a pillar country of ASEAN, playing a leading role in strategic areas.
In terms of policy thinking, Vietnam can become a pioneer in shaping the Association's major orientations from politics - diplomacy, economy - society, to community integration. This has been proven through Vietnam's tenure as ASEAN Chair, along with many practical initiatives such as post-Covid-19 pandemic recovery, digital transformation, and sustainable development cooperation.
In terms of economic position, with steady growth momentum, deep international integration and a comprehensive reform foundation, Vietnam can absolutely become one of the leading economies in the region, contributing positively to the global value chain and ASEAN's overall growth.
Finally, Vietnam will continue to be a reliable and responsible partner, contributing to strengthening intra-bloc solidarity, maintaining ASEAN's central role in the Asia-Pacific regional structure, as well as effectively connecting with global powers.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/viet-nam-co-the-tro-thanh-quoc-gia-tien-phong-xac-lap-cac-dinh-huong-lon-cua-asean-322153.html
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