A 30-year journey of Vietnam in ASEAN: From sharing a common aspiration to becoming a reliable and responsible member
WVR - On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN (28 July 1995 – 28 July 2025) and the 58th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN (8 August 1967 – 8 August 2025), Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has authored an article titled 'A 30-year journey: From sharing a common aspiration to becoming a reliable and responsible member'. The article highlights Vietnam’s contributions to ASEAN over the past three decades, during which the country has joined other ASEAN members in shaping numerous success stories. The World & Vietnam Report is honored to present the full text of the article.
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| General Secretary To Lam delivered a policy speech at the ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of Viet Nam’s accession to ASEAN, held at the ASEAN Secretariat Headquarters during his official visit on March 10. (Photo: Tuan Anh) |
Three decades ago, on 28 July 1995, Vietnam became an ASEAN Member State. This was a strategic decision of historic significance, penning a new chapter in Vietnam’s integration and charting the course for significant national advancement.
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| Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
This 30-year journey is a vivid testament to the vision and political mettle of our Party and State in international integration, as well as in building and improving a peaceful and cooperative environment conducive to development. Vietnam came to ASEAN in the spirit of friendship and responsibility. And today, in a world currently undergoing tremendous shifts, Vietnam, with a new mindset and resolve, will continue to work closely with fellow ASEAN Member States to write new success stories for ASEAN in this next era of development.
A historic decision, a strategic vision
In the early 1990s, Vietnam was standing at a historic juncture of Doi Moi, striving to both overcome the socio-economic crisis and gradually escaping from the isolation and embargo the country has endured for several years. Against this backdrop, foreign affairs was considered a strategic prong to foster an environment of peace, stability, and cooperation, starting with this region first and foremost, to help the country navigate through these crises and open up a new space for development.
The diplomatic thoughts imbued with the identity of President Ho Chi Minh, such as “more friends, fewer foes”, “being a friend with all countries”, and “firm in policy, yet flexible in its execution”, have been implemented creatively and flexibly amidst new circumstances, thus shining a new path for Vietnam’s foreign affairs mindset. On this basis, the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and multilateralization and diversification of external relations was gradually identified and steadfastly implemented.
At the same time, the world was entering the post-Cold War era, when ideological confrontation gave way to cooperation, integration, and globalization. Amidst this significant shift, Southeast Asian countries quickly came to the realization that only by enhancing connectivity and collective strength could they manage to stand strong and thrive. The lingering “bottlenecks” in the relations among countries in the region were unravelled, resulting in catalysts for conciliation, unity, and cooperation. Hurdles of the past were steadily replaced by trust and goodwill, thus drawing countries closer together in the common efforts toward peace, stability, and development.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh took a photo with delegates attending the Opening Ceremony of the ASEAN Future Forum 2025, held on February 25 in Hà Nội. (Photo: Tuan Anh) |
The convergence between Vietnam’s aspiration for reform and ASEAN’s wish to expand cooperation, coupled with the global trend of peace, cooperation, and development, offered both ASEAN and Vietnam an opportunity “supported by the heaven, earth, and people.” Joining ASEAN, in this connection, is not only a diplomatic gesture, but also a choice embodying the strategic proactiveness and courage of our Party and State, and the comprehensive shift in mindset and action, building upon integration as the impetus, the region as the foundation, and cooperation as the path towards stable and long-term growth.
The history of our nation has been, and will continue to be presented with vital turning points, among which the decision to join ASEAN will forever be remembered as the culmination of a strategic vision, contemporary significance, and remarkable intellect, marking Vietnam’s transformation into an active, proactive, and responsible member of the region and the world.
30 years of tireless efforts: Affirming the mettle and hallmarks of Viet Nam
ASEAN not only paved the way for integration, but also created a corridor of peace, security, and development in this very region, one of great strategic importance for Vietnam. Bearing this in mind, Vietnam enters the common home of ASEAN seeking to make effective contributions in a proactive and responsible manner. As a result, over the past 30 years, Vietnam has always remained as an important link in ASEAN, sharing its goals and strategic visions, and together striving to uphold consensus and promote concerted actions.
One consistent effort that Vietnam has made is to uphold unity, consensus, and the core values underlying ASEAN’s successes and identity. In a region diverse in interests, political systems, and development levels, consensus does not stem from similarities, but rather from consultation, trust, and shared responsibility. With a balanced approach in good faith, Vietnam has contributed to harmonizing interests, promoting similarities, and maintaining ASEAN’s common voice on strategic issues concerning the region based on the principles of international law, the UN Charter, and the ASEAN Charter.
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| Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the 58th ASEAN Foreign Minister’s Meeting (AMM-58) in July in Malaysia (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
If consensus is the result of a common vision, actions provide parameters to gauge effectiveness. In this facet, Vietnam has sufficiently fulfilled its bridging role between policy and reality, thus meeting the practical demands of the people, businesses, and localities.
This is evident in various instances, from the 2001 Hanoi Declaration on Narrowing Development Gap for Closer ASEAN Integration and initiatives in response to Covid-19 to the ASEAN High-level Forum on Sub-regional Cooperation for Sustainable Development and Inclusive Growth in 2021. Vietnam has always been a pioneer in promoting equitable and inclusive growth. In particular, our approach that “regards the people as the heart, goal, and driver for the Community building process” has been the foundation for ASEAN’s actions and visions, and turned into a consistent guideline in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
Vietnam has also played an active role in expanding ASEAN’s network of partners and elevate the Association’s influence. We have contributed to further deepening ASEAN’s relations with its partners, reinforcing ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture, and stepping up ASEAN’s participation in global agendas, from novel areas of growth such as digital transformation, renewable energy, science, and technology, to transnational issues such as climate change, diseases, maritime security, and food security.
Aligning itself with the common interests of the region and the world, Vietnam has taken the lead in putting forth numerous initiatives, with the most notable example being the successful iterations of the ASEAN Future Forum over the past two years, laying the groundwork for dialogue on comprehensive policies for emerging trends, and helping shape the mindset and means for cooperation in the long run.
A new mindset and resolve: Standing ready for a new journey of the ASEAN Community
30 years ago, Viet Nam joined ASEAN based on a strategic decision of historic significance. And in today’s turbulent world, Vietnam is once again presented into an opportunity upheld by “the heaven, earth, and people” to better contribute to ASEAN in this new era.
The strength and fortune of our nation have been bolstered after nearly 40 years of Doi Moi, coupled with the aspiration for breakthroughs in this era of national advancement. The international community has also placed their trust in Vietnam’s role, stature, and capacity to guide cooperation processes. At the same time, ASEAN is entering a new phase with its Community Vision 2045, and continues to affirm its role as an exemplary model for peace, stability, and collaboration. Given this foundation, we have identified five key orientations to further participate in fostering ASEAN’s successes.
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| Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Ambassadors of ASEAN countries posed for a commemorative photo at the reception marking the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN on July 28. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
First, maintaining a strategic space for peace and stability. Vietnam needs to continue working with other countries to strengthen consensus, strategic trust, unity, and ASEAN centrality, while upholding relevant principles and norms of behavior and the rule of law.
Second, expanding the economic space, promoting initiatives to better harness intra-ASEAN markets, effectively utilizing existing FTAs between ASEAN and its partners, and diversifying linkages with dynamic and potential partners.
Third, building a space for innovation, wherein ASEAN can establish itself as a destination for breakthrough ideas and solutions on the basis of digital transformation, science, technology, and innovation.
Fourth, fostering a space for inclusive growth, in which the people, businesses, and localities can equally enjoy the accomplishments of the ASEAN Community building process, and receive better conditions to step up their participation in these efforts.
Finally, aligning the spaces for socio-cultural affairs to further enrich the Community’s identity and reinforce the friendship and mutual understanding among our peoples. This will yield a collective internal strength to unite the entire Community, laying the firm groundwork for a united, sharing, and close-knitted ASEAN.
Looking back on the past 30 years, every commitment, every action, and every initiative showcased the proactiveness, responsibility, and utmost efforts of Vietnam in its contributions to ASEAN. This is not only a journey of integration, but also one to affirm Vietnam’s mettle, promote its values, and together share the region’s future. Entering this new phase, with a new mindset and resolve, Vietnam will continue to work closely with other countries to build a resilient, inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous ASEAN Community.
