Vietnam Lauded as Proactive Force Shaping ASEAN's Strategic Future

Vietnam is being recognized internationally as a proactive force shaping the strategic future of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The discussions come as the State Bank of Vietnam and Bank Indonesia near the end of their co-chairmanship term, marking another step in their cooperation to advance ASEAN's sustainable finance agenda. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang urged ASEAN to make full use of existing mechanisms to enhance dialogue, build trust and prevent risks and conflicts, particularly by strengthening the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ), and cooperation based on international law. The survey, which gathered responses from around 150 European business leaders, also pointed to stronger expectations for trade and investment across ASEAN. Speaking to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Washington DC ahead of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam’s attendance at the High-level General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) and bilateral activities in the US from September 20, Professor Piper Campbell described 2026 as an active year in Vietnam-US relations. Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki noted that trust between the two peoples and governments has reached a very high level, describing it as the most important achievement and a valuable asset that will enable younger generations to work together to build a better future. Under its one-party system, Vietnam prioritizes economic growth and pursues a diversified foreign policy, which has enhanced its influence in the ASEAN region. However, the extent to which the benefits of this growth are distributed across all segments of society, and how its relationship with its neighboring superpower, China, is managed, remain points of continued observation. Source: VietnamPlus English