Vietnam Continues Active Contribution to ASEAN Community Vision 2045

Vietnam continues to actively contribute to the realization of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn described Vietnam as an important and constructive member of ASEAN over the past three decades, highlighting its significant contributions to the political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars. He expressed confidence that Vietnam will continue to play a leading role in advancing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. Vietnam's strengths lie in its ability to bridge diverse interests, promote meaningful cooperation, and preserve ASEAN solidarity while adapting to emerging challenges. Most recently, the ASEAN Education Work Plan 2026–2030 was launched at the ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting (ASED 14), aiming to build inclusive, comprehensive, and transformative education systems. The plan focuses on nurturing resilient and well-rounded individuals, developing a highly skilled and competitive workforce, and strengthening a common ASEAN identity rooted in shared values. Economically, manufacturing remains one of Vietnam's core industries, making a major contribution to economic growth, exports, and foreign direct investment (FDI). The country has become an important production base for multinational corporations in electronics, precision engineering, electrical equipment, and high-tech industries. In diplomacy, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung stated that Vietnam is entering a new era of development where international integration is a crucial task for maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, mobilizing external resources, and enhancing the country's international standing. Furthermore, Vietnam expressed satisfaction with the steady development of bilateral ties with Laos, noting that political relations have become increasingly close, deep, and trustworthy, serving as the guiding force for overall cooperation. Another key outcome was the reaffirmation of the 2023 defense cooperation MoU and the Action Programme for implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as the principal roadmap for future collaboration. Domestically, draft laws are under consideration, including the Law on Urban Development; the Law on amending and supplementing several articles of 10 laws concerning administrative procedures and business conditions in the agriculture and environment sectors; and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Radio Frequencies, the Law on Telecommunications, the Law on E-Transactions, and the Law on Technology Transfer. Infrastructure development has been emphasized as no longer merely a foundation for production and daily life, but a decisive factor in enhancing national competitiveness. Notably, the proposed Ring Road 5 project, linking Hanoi with surrounding provinces, urban centers, industrial parks, and logistics hubs, is expected to meet growing transport demand, expand development space, stimulate socio-economic growth, strengthen national defense and security, and ease traffic congestion and environmental pressure. Source: VietnamPlus English