Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung attends AMMR 2026: Steering ASEAN towards a shared future
WVR - The participation of Politburo member and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, along with the Vietnamese delegation at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMMR) 2026 in Cebu, not only demonstrates strong support for host nation the Philippines but also reaffirms Vietnam's commitment to working alongside regional countries towards ASEAN's goals. This includes maintaining ASEAN's central role by emphasizing unity and consensus within the bloc.
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| Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Lai Thai Binh. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in the Philippines) |
This was shared by Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Lai Thai Binh with The World & Vietnam Report on the occasion of Politburo member and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung attending the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMMR) and related meetings from January 28-29, 2026, in Cebu, Philippines, at the invitation of Philippine Foreign Minister Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro.
Ambassador, could you elaborate on the significance of Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung's participation in AMMR 2026 and the related meetings set to take place in the Philippines?
What is unfolding in the early days of 2026 suggests it could be a new milestone in a crucial transitional phase globally, as traditional growth and stability drivers face challenges, and elements such as geopolitical competition, trade protectionism, AI integration, and strategic self-reliance demands become more prominent. Many multilateral cooperation mechanisms and international laws face certain challenges, leading to the formation of more flexible alliances based on specific interests.
In the ASEAN context, regional peace and stability are fundamentally maintained, and the economy is recovering robustly with high growth rates, despite existing disparities and certain impacts from issues like major power competition, non-traditional security challenges, tensions in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea), the Thailand-Cambodia border, and the situation in Myanmar. Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 laid a solid foundation for long-term development, including promoting digital economic cooperation, expanding strategic partnerships, and enhancing regional connectivity. The year 2026 offers an opportunity for countries to implement and realize these initiatives.
The participation of Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung and the Vietnamese delegation at AMMR 2026 in Cebu not only shows strong support for the host nation the Philippines but also reaffirms Vietnam's commitment to working together with regional countries towards ASEAN's goals, including maintaining ASEAN's central role by emphasizing unity and consensus within the bloc. With the theme "Steering Towards a Shared Future", the conference is an ideal starting point for member countries to discuss and agree on the direction for 2026, aligning with Vietnam's policy of emphasizing deep international integration, independence, self-reliance, and multilateral cooperation.
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| Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung in a phone call with Philippine Foreign Minister Maria Theresa Lazaro on December 15, 2025. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
Ambassador, how do you assess the preparation for the conference and the coordinating and leading role of the host nation, the Philippines, as ASEAN Chair in 2026?
The Philippines began preparations for its ASEAN Chairmanship before officially taking over from Malaysia at the end of 2025. As President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. affirmed, the Philippines is ready both in terms of infrastructure and spirit. During recent work with the host country, the Embassy had the opportunity to witness firsthand many of the Philippines' efforts in planning and organizing ASEAN activities that it will chair in 2026.
Regarding infrastructure, the Philippines has upgraded many important facilities, including conference centers, roads, and other amenities for the activities. Notably, the inauguration of the Philippine National Convention Center in October 2025, after a period of maintenance and renovation, demonstrates the determination to successfully organize the Chairmanship year. Not only in Manila, but other provinces like Cebu and Bohol are also well-prepared to host conferences and events...
In terms of content, the Philippines has proactively engaged with ASEAN countries since 2025 to build the agenda, focusing on three main pillars: political-security, economic, and socio-cultural. Some notable actions include appointing Foreign Minister Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro as the ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar and closely coordinating with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn to identify priorities such as the digital economy, cybersecurity, and climate change response...
Regarding communication, the Philippines has organized many events such as the ASEAN Chairmanship Launch Ceremony in November 2025, a series of conferences in Bohol at the beginning of 2026, and upcoming events like AMMR and the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Cebu. Local media agencies have actively reported in creative ways, generating interest and consensus from the government to the public.
Despite continuing to face some internal difficulties, the Philippines has proven its effective coordinating and leading role, aiming to ensure the 2026 Chairmanship runs smoothly and aligns with regional and international commitments.
Taking place in Spring 2026 and following Vietnam's successful organization of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, AMMR brings many expectations for each ASEAN member country, especially Vietnam. Could you share more about this, Ambassador?
Vietnam enters 2026 with new momentum following the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, marking an important development phase. As General Secretary Tô Lâm emphasized, the Congress has elevated international relations to the same level as national defense-security, considering it a crucial and regular task. Amid a volatile world, Vietnam continues to pursue an independent, self-reliant foreign policy, diversifying relations, and deeply integrating internationally to contribute positively to regional and global peace and stability.
Facing global challenges like climate change, natural disasters, pandemics, non-traditional security, geopolitical conflicts, and emerging issues like artificial intelligence, no country can act alone. AMMR 2026 is an ideal occasion for Vietnam to share new foreign policy directions while making substantive contributions to realizing ASEAN's theme "Steering Towards a Shared Future". This contributes to building a resilient, innovative, dynamic ASEAN Community centered on people, aligning with sustainable development goals and regional cooperation pursued by Vietnam and ASEAN countries.
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| Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. presides over the launch of the ASEAN Chairmanship 2026 at Intramuros, Manila, on November 14, 2025. (Source: RTV Malacanang) |
The year 2026 holds special significance for Vietnam and the Philippines as the two countries celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations (July 12, 1976 - July 12, 2026). What are the highlights of the bilateral relationship over the past five decades, Ambassador?
Vietnam and the Philippines established diplomatic relations in 1976 and upgraded to a Strategic Partnership in 2015. Over 50 years, the relationship has developed comprehensively, achieving significant milestones across various fields.
In political-diplomatic terms, both sides regularly exchange high-level delegations, meet on the sidelines of conferences, and strengthen mutual trust with notable visits such as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s visit to Vietnam and Defense Minister Phan Van Giang's visit to the Philippines in 2024, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's meeting with President Marcos Jr. on the sidelines of a conference in 2025. Both sides have enhanced defense-security cooperation, including policy dialogues, delegation exchanges, and cooperation in maritime law enforcement, addressing non-traditional security challenges, and combating transnational crime, in line with international commitments to peace and stability in the South China Sea...
In economic-trade terms, bilateral trade turnover is revolving around the target of $10 billion. Vietnam is a leading rice supplier to the Philippines, contributing to food security for nearly 120 million Filipinos. The year 2025 also witnessed a significant increase in direct investment flows from both sides, especially with Vietnam committing to invest over $90 million in the Philippines for the first time, and the Philippines allocating over $200 million in the energy sector in Vietnam. Vietnamese enterprises such as Vietnam Airlines, VinFast, FPT, Viettel, IPC, and Thiên Long are expanding operations in the Philippines, while Philippine brands like Highlands Coffee and Jollibee continue to grow in Vietnam. Cooperation in agriculture, the digital economy, and other potential areas is being strengthened. Labor cooperation continues to hold long-term opportunities for both sides.
With three more airlines opening direct routes between the two countries over the past two years, tourism is a standout highlight, with the number of Filipino tourists to Vietnam in 2025 nearly doubling from 2024 (over 480,000 visits). Vietnamese cuisine is increasingly popular in the Philippines, enhancing cultural exchanges. Both sides are strengthening cooperation in citizen protection, education-training, and other areas, reflecting a commitment to building a sustainable relationship based on many similarities in land area, population, economic scale, population, and historical development process...
The two countries closely coordinate within ASEAN, support ASEAN's central role, promote the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), and join other Southeast Asian nations in supporting the resolution of issues in Myanmar, tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, as well as common issues like the green economy, AI, climate change, and digital transformation...
Amid global economic difficulties, Vietnam and the Philippines aim to further enhance food security cooperation, maintain participation in sustainable supply chains, and continue contributing to regional and global peace and stability...
Overall, after 50 years, Vietnam-Philippines relations have transitioned from a basic friendship foundation to a deep, substantive Strategic Partnership, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries and contributing to peace and stability in Southeast Asia. The year 2026 is an opportunity for both sides to continue expanding cooperation, aiming for higher goals amid a rapidly changing world and region.
On the occasion of the new year and this special milestone for Vietnam-Philippines relations, do you have a message you would like to convey, Ambassador?
The year 2026 is significant for Vietnam, the Philippines, and bilateral relations, amid many changes facing the world and the region. Vietnam, the Philippines, and ASEAN countries are continuing to strengthen unity and consensus to affirm the bloc's central role. As ASEAN Chair in 2026, the Philippines is effectively leading a rich agenda, potentially including promoting the early completion of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), resolving the Myanmar issue, cooperating in AI and the digital economy, the green economy, and enhancing intra-regional connectivity.
Vietnam, with new directions from the 14th National Party Congress, will actively contribute to ASEAN forums, helping to build a strong, prosperous, and people-oriented Community. This is also an opportunity for the two countries to strengthen bilateral relations, leveraging similarities in a young, dynamic population and close cultural ties to expand diverse cooperation, from economy to culture-tourism.
The Vietnamese Embassy in the Philippines is committed to strengthening political trust, promoting economic-cultural exchanges, contributing to the common development of both countries and the region. Wishing the Philippines and its people a successful, prosperous new year! May the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and the Philippines continue to develop positively, substantively, and sustainably!
Thank you very much, Ambassador!
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| Ambassador Lai Thai Binh and delegates at a special discussion with students, focusing on the life and legacy of President Ho Chi Minh and Philippine national heroes at the University of the Philippines on April 29, 2025. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in the Philippines) |
