Vietnam Marks 30 Years in ASEAN, Eyes Deeper Global Integration

Vietnam has steadily strengthened its standing as a proactive, active, and responsible member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) since becoming its seventh member on July 28, 1995. The country has made proactive contributions to maintaining regional peace and stability, promoting prosperity, advancing regional integration, and building the ASEAN Community. Marking this milestone, Vietnam is clearly committed to further deepening its engagement with the international community. In politics and diplomacy, Cambodian National Assembly President Samdech Khuon Sudary paid an official visit to Vietnam, holding meetings with State President To Lam, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man. This visit is expected to provide an opportunity to review bilateral cooperation, particularly parliamentary diplomacy, and chart new directions to further deepen relations. Furthermore, Politburo member and Permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu reaffirmed the CPV’s commitment to strengthening ties with Africa’s fraternal political parties, including Burundi’s ruling National Council for the Defence of Democracy - Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD), indicating the importance placed on friendly relations with African nations. Economically, Vietnam has evolved into a highly open economy with deep regional and global integration since joining ASEAN. Foreign direct investment (FDI) has played a pivotal role in the country’s development, with cumulative registered capital nearing $550 billion USD and more than 46,000 active projects. Vietnam has commended the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a strategic policy advisory partner and a trusted companion in its socio-economic development process. Defense cooperation with Australia is also regarded as a key pillar of bilateral ties. In terms of culture and society, Vietnam aims to add a new title to its growing list of UNESCO Creative Cities by establishing the country’s first City of Photography as early as 2027, following the success of Hanoi (Design), Hoi An (Crafts and Folk Art), Da Lat (Music), and Ho Chi Minh City (Film). Additionally, solemn ceremonies were held at the Hien Luong – Ben Hai Special National Relic Site in Quang Tri province to honor fallen heroes, demonstrating respect for those who sacrificed their lives for national liberation and peace. This reflects Vietnam's approach of respecting its past while moving towards the future. However, after strong growth in the first half of 2026, Vietnam’s economy is forecast to face greater pressure in the months ahead as rising inflation, exchange-rate, and interest-rate pressures test its ability to sustain growth and maintain macroeconomic stability. Amidst these conditions, Vietnam aims to further strengthen cooperation with regional and international communities, seizing the opportunity of its 30th anniversary in ASEAN to pursue sustainable development. Source: VietnamPlus English