Vietnam and Indonesia Expand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Vietnam and Indonesia possess significant potential to expand cooperation in areas such as the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, energy transition, green economy, digital economy, high-tech agriculture, halal industry, and sustainable marine and fisheries cooperation, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Ta Van Thong. Ambassador Thong made these remarks at a ceremony hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia in Jakarta on September 16 to celebrate the 81st anniversary of Vietnam's National Day (September 2, 1945). The event was attended by Indonesian officials including Speaker of the Regional Representative Council Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, and Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, along with international friends and the Vietnamese community in Indonesia. Opening the ceremony, Ambassador Thong recalled the historic moment of September 2, 1945, when President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square. He noted that Vietnam's 81-year journey has been marked by immense challenges and significant achievements. From a poor and underdeveloped nation, Vietnam has become a country with a large, open economy and an active, responsible member of the international community, emphasizing new development drivers based on science-technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Regarding bilateral relations, Ambassador Thong stated that the relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia is developing well, built on political trust and increasingly substantive cooperation, especially after the two countries upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2025. They are expanding cooperation in defense, security, and combating transnational crime, while also developing collaboration in agriculture, fisheries, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, as well as improving transport connectivity and direct flight routes. Economically, Ambassador Thong highlighted that based on existing achievements, the two countries are aiming for bilateral trade to reach $18 billion by 2028. Large-scale investment projects, such as VinFast's EV plant in Subang and Ciputra Group's projects in Vietnam, are expected to generate spillover effects for supporting industries and bilateral trade. Ambassador Thong affirmed that Vietnam always remembers the support and assistance from the government and people of Indonesia during its past struggle for independence and its current national development, considering this a valuable foundation for the two countries to continue building friendly and cooperative relations for the peace and prosperity of both nations. Indonesian Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin extended his warmest congratulations to the Government and people of Vietnam on their 81st National Day. He emphasized that Indonesia and Vietnam share many similarities, both being Southeast Asian nations with histories of struggle for independence, rich cultures, and a shared emphasis on self-reliance, cooperation, and regional solidarity. The ceremony concluded in a solemn yet warm atmosphere, with attendees raising their glasses to wish Vietnam continued development and prosperity, a stronger Indonesia-Vietnam friendship, and greater prosperity and happiness for the peoples of both nations.