Celebrating 30 years of Vietnam in ASEAN: A journey of integration for peace, stability, and development

The reception was attended by numerous Ambassadors, Heads of Foreign Missions and international organizations in Vietnam, as well as leaders from ministries, sectors, and localities. (Photo: Thanh Long)

Held in a warm and solemn atmosphere, the reception served as an opportunity to reflect on Vietnam’s three-decade journey of deep integration and active contributions within the ASEAN community. It was also a moment to express gratitude to ASEAN member states, partners, and international friends for their continued companionship and support throughout Vietnam’s ASEAN engagement and broader regional and global integration.

In his remarks, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized the historic significance of Vietnam’s decision to join ASEAN in 1995. Both ASEAN and Vietnam shared a common aspiration: To build a Southeast Asia of peace, stability, and development. Vietnam approached ASEAN with humility, responsibility, and most importantly a long-term commitment to shared goals.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son delivered the opening remarks. (Photo: Thanh Long)

For Vietnam, ASEAN has never been just a regional cooperation framework. It was the first and most important gateway to regional integration and national development. Within the ASEAN family, Vietnam found deep trust and a sense of belonging.

Vietnam takes pride in contributing to key ASEAN milestones, including the realization of ASEAN-10, the signing of the ASEAN Charter, the establishment of the ASEAN Community, and most recently, the adoption of the “ASEAN 2045: Our Future” document. Along the way, Vietnam has stood shoulder to shoulder with fellow member states, partners, and friends to nurture solidarity, overcome challenges, and jointly build a cohesive, resilient, and forward-looking ASEAN.

Looking back on ASEAN’s nearly six decades of achievements, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the bloc’s transformation into a closely connected community of 10, soon to be 11, member states sharing common goals, vision, and values.

"Today ASEAN is the world’s fifth largest economy, with a combined GDP of nearly 4 trillion USD and a population of almost 700 million. By 2030, it is expected to become the fourth largest. Building on the ASEAN Free Trade Area, ASEAN Economic Community and an expanding network of FTAs Plus, ASEAN has unlocked enormous economic opportunities, opened dynamic flows of trade and investment, enhanced regional connectivity, and thus positioned Southeast Asia as an epicentre of sustainable growth, innovation and inclusive progress," the Deputy Prime Minister stressed.

Vietnam and regional countries have always worked together to build a united, resilient, and forward-looking ASEAN. (Photo: Thanh Long)

Amid profound global changes, ASEAN countries must continue to uphold the values of dialogue, cooperation, multilateralism, and the rule of law, especially by maintaining a peaceful, secure, and stable environment, which is a prerequisite for sustainable growth and the ASEAN Community’s shared success.

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In this spirit, Vietnam welcomes the recent agreement between Cambodia and Thailand on an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, marking an important step toward de-escalation and the restoration of peace.

Looking ahead, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son reaffirmed Vietnam’s strong commitment to supporting and meaningfully contributing to the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, reinforcing unity, ASEAN centrality, and strategic autonomy. Vietnam will continue to prioritize key areas such as innovation, green transition, digital transformation, sustainable and inclusive development. The ASEAN Future Forum, hosted by Vietnam, will serve as an open and inclusive platform for dialogue that advances ASEAN Community building efforts.

On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son extended heartfelt gratitude to generations of leaders and diplomats who have laid a solid foundation and continue to inspire and guide Vietnam’s participation and contributions to ASEAN.

Speaking on behalf of ASEAN member states in his capacity as Chair of ASEAN 2025, Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam, Dato’ Tan Yang Thai, congratulated Vietnam warmly. He highlighted the historic significance of General Secretary To Lam's visit to the ASEAN Secretariat in March 2025, especially as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s ASEAN membership.

Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato’ Tan Yang Thai extended his warm congratulations to Vietnam. (Photo: Thanh Long)

The Ambassador noted that Vietnam’s accession in 1995 marked the beginning of ASEAN’s expansion, culminating in the completion of ASEAN-10 by 1999. Over the past three decades, Vietnam has proven itself to be a proactive, responsible, and constructive member, playing a vital role in deepening economic integration, fostering peace and stability, and promoting a rules-based regional order.

Vietnam has consistently championed ASEAN centrality, ensuring a unified, open, and inclusive voice. It has demonstrated strong leadership, especially during critical moments, such as its 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship, during which it sustained regional cooperation, promoted economic recovery, strengthened supply chain resilience, and advanced key strategic initiatives like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Ambassador Dato’ Tan Yang Thai also praised Vietnam’s initiative in launching the ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) as a vivid demonstration of Vietnam’s strategic thinking and vision. The forum not only gathers ideas but also conveys a message of ASEAN taking the initiative to shape its future, staying adaptive amid global shifts, and putting people at the centre of its agenda. For him, its significance lies not only in the ideas generated, but in its message that ASEAN is prepared to anticipate the future, not merely react to it.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and delegates toasted in celebration of the anniversary. (Photo: Thanh Long)

"Looking ahead, we are all committed to delivering on the promise of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, launched in Kuala Lumpur in May this year. That vision challenges us to build a future-ready ASEAN - resilient, inclusive, innovative, and sustainable. We stand ready to work closely with Vietnam and all member states to translate that aspiration into action: By narrowing the development gap, accelerating physical and digital connectivity, strengthening our collective crisis-response mechanisms, and advancing climate action and a just energy transition that leaves no one behind," the Ambassador said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Ambassadors of ASEAN member states took a commemorative photo. (Photo: Thanh Long)

Vietnam’s 30-year journey in ASEAN cooperation stands as clear evidence of a wise and strategic choice. ASEAN has always been a strategic priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification, and international integration. Looking to the future, Vietnam will continue to act with proactivity, positivity, and responsibility, striving wholeheartedly for the success of ASEAN for a Southeast Asia of peace, stability, and sustainable development.

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