ASEAN Future Forum 2026: Elevating Vietnam's stature and position
WVR - In early June, the capital city of Hanoi was busier than usual as it hosted the multilateral event – the third ASEAN Future Forum – and welcomed distinguished regional and international guests.
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As the host of the third ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) and honoured to welcome key regional and international partners during a week filled with vibrant bilateral and multilateral engagements, Vietnam is asserting its position as a crucial hub for strategic discussions in Southeast Asia.
Alongside four senior leaders, including Prime Minister of Laos Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul, and Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, leaders from neighbouring countries and partner nations such as U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Seema Malhotra were also present in Hanoi with a packed AFF meeting schedule. Additionally, meetings with senior leaders and officials from various Vietnamese ministries and sectors demonstrated the host nation's interest and importance placed on relationships with its partners.
Enhancing close neighbours, strategic connectivity
From the meeting, breakfast, and work session of the Prime Ministers of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, in May 2026, the visit of Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and Prime Minister Hun Manet to Hanoi this time is a natural continuation of the close relationship among the three neighboring countries, with increasingly tight strategic coordination mechanisms.
Taking place right after the 12th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone's choice of Vietnam as his first destination holds significant importance, contributing to strengthening the special Vietnam-Laos relationship, enhancing political trust, maintaining effective high-level contact mechanisms, and concretizing high-level commitments and agreements between the two Parties and countries into practical cooperation programs, creating new momentum for bilateral relations.
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| General Secretary, President To Lam receives Prime Minister of Laos Sonexay Siphandone. (Source: VNA) |
Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh noted that in recent years, bilateral relations have entered a new phase of development through enhanced high-level exchanges and strategic frameworks for the 2026-2030 period.
Built on mutual trust, solidarity, and a shared commitment to ASEAN unity and centrality, this partnership demonstrates both countries' determination to translate political commitments into practical outcomes to enhance regional resilience and improve people's lives.
The "strategic connectivity" between Vietnam and Laos, as agreed upon by Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, will be concretized in aspects of bilateral, sub-regional, and regional and international connectivity.
Both sides also agreed to continue maintaining effective high-level visits and contacts; seriously implement high-quality high-level agreements and the results of the 48th Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee meeting, laying the groundwork for successfully organizing the implementation of the bilateral cooperation agreement between the Vietnamese and Lao governments for the 2026-2030 period; coordinate well in organizing activities to commemorate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty in 2027; implement defense and security cooperation protocols and plans; and strengthen coordination in combating transnational crime...
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| General Secretary, President To Lam receives Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Manet. (Source: VNA) |
During meetings, talks, and discussions with Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Manet, Vietnamese leaders warmly welcomed Prime Minister Hun Manet's visit to Vietnam and participation in the AFF; affirmed Vietnam's constant support for Cambodia's nation-building and development efforts; and emphasized the importance of relations between the two Parties and countries of Vietnam and Cambodia, as well as the three Parties and countries of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, as a valuable asset for all three nations. On this occasion, leaders of the two countries exchanged views and outlined directions and measures to promote cooperation in all fields, especially in comprehensive connectivity between the two countries.
It can be said that the support and direct participation of senior leaders from Laos and Cambodia in Vietnam's initiatives demonstrate the close and intimate relationship, affirming the consistent policy of the three countries to always prioritize the traditional friendship among the three Parties, three States, and peoples of the three nations.
Elevating the comprehensive strategic partnership
Taking place at a time when both countries are gearing up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1976 - 2026), the visit of Prime Minister of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul to Vietnam carries an important mission: to advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into a phase of deeper, more substantive, and effective development.
The visit by the head of the Thai Government to Vietnam, following the historic visit of General Secretary, President To Lam to Bangkok, has created a strong "strategic synergy" effect. As assessed by Prime Minister Le Minh Hung during talks with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on June 8, bilateral relations are currently at their best stage ever, with a solid foundation of political trust, dynamic economic cooperation, and increasingly close people-to-people exchanges.
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| Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Prime Minister of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul. (Source: Dai doan ket Newspaper) |
Economic cooperation continues to be a highlight and a focal point in Vietnam-Thailand relations. During the talks, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul agreed to effectively implement the "Three Connectivity" Strategy; promote connectivity in transportation, logistics, aviation, and tourism; explore the development of road and coastal waterway transport routes connecting the two countries and the Mekong sub-region; effectively utilize the Vietnam-Thailand Joint Trade Committee mechanism; reduce trade barriers, facilitate market access for each other's goods; and strive to achieve a trade turnover target of 25 billion USD soon, moving towards 50 billion USD in a balanced and sustainable manner.
Both sides also agreed to expand cooperation in agriculture, ensure food security, and explore new areas such as science, technology, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, digital economy, green economy, just energy transition, and innovation.
The head of the Thai Government also expressed special affection for the S-shaped country. During meetings with General Secretary, President To Lam and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasized that Thailand always considers Vietnam a close neighbor and trusted partner; values comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam; and wishes to continue strengthening and developing the good relationship with Vietnam in all fields, making it stronger and more substantive.
A sincere friend
Following the visit of President of Timor-Leste José Ramos-Horta in February 2025, the presence of Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão in Hanoi this time contributes to creating new momentum in bilateral friendship, while also serving as an important occasion for Timor-Leste to affirm its role and commitment to deep integration as the youngest member of ASEAN. The visit not only holds bilateral significance but is also linked to the ASEAN integration process, which has received enthusiastic support from Vietnam.
According to Vietnamese Charge d'Affaires in Timor-Leste Pham Binh Dam, this visit by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão to Vietnam is particularly significant as it combines several important elements: an official bilateral visit, participation in the third ASEAN Future Forum, and activities to enhance connectivity and cooperation. Timor-Leste's decision to send a high-level delegation, including the Prime Minister, two Deputy Prime Ministers, key ministers, and leaders of important agencies, demonstrates the country's appreciation for Vietnam and its desire to expand cooperation across multiple channels and fields, thereby advancing bilateral relations to a deeper, more substantive, effective, and sustainable stage in the new era.
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| Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão. (Source: VGP) |
This spirit was conveyed by Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão during meetings with General Secretary, President To Lam, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and talks with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.
Appreciating the investment of Vietnamese enterprises, especially Viettel with the Telemor brand, which has positively contributed to digital infrastructure development and connectivity, the head of the Timor-Leste government expressed a desire to continue welcoming Vietnamese businesses to invest in agriculture, fisheries, tourism, infrastructure, and resource exploitation.
The two Prime Ministers also agreed to expand cooperation in potential areas such as defense-security, agriculture, fisheries, food security, education-training, human resource development, culture, tourism, sports, transportation connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung affirmed that Vietnam is ready to share development experiences, international integration, human resource training, and send experts to support areas that align with Timor-Leste's needs…
The signing of cooperation documents on visa exemption, education cooperation, and information and communication during this visit is expected to lay an important foundation for enhancing people-to-people exchanges and expanding cooperation in various fields.
Reflecting on the series of bilateral and multilateral diplomatic events in Hanoi these days, it is evident that Vietnam's voice in ASEAN is becoming louder and more substantive, alongside a new foreign policy mindset – proactively shaping and increasing influence with principled flexibility.
A week filled with busy and effective bilateral and multilateral diplomatic activities once again demonstrates the proactivity and confidence of Vietnam's diplomacy, especially since foreign affairs have been identified as a "key and regular task" alongside national defense and security at the 14th National Pary Congress (January 2026).
