General Secretary, President To Lam's visits to Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines: Harmonizing the 'melody' of new era development
WVR - Upon arriving at Udon Thani International Airport, marking the start of his official visit to Thailand, General Secretary, President To Lam and his spouse visited the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site and met with the Vietnamese community. These distinctly "Vietnamese" gestures on the soil of a close neighbour made the journey to visit three Southeast Asian friends even closer.
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| General Secretary, President To Lam and his spouse begin an official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand. (Source: VNA) |
The official visit to Thailand; the state visit to Singapore, participation, and keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue; the state visit to the Philippines by General Secretary, President To Lam demonstrates Vietnam's high regard for its relations with these three countries and the Southeast Asian region. Occurring as Vietnam-Thailand and Vietnam-Singapore relations have been elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and as Vietnam commemorates 50 years of relations with Thailand and the Philippines this year, the visit is an opportunity for Vietnam's top leaders and the leaders of the three countries to engage in extensive discussions on major directions to effectively implement the cooperation framework, thereby creating additional momentum for Vietnam's relations with these countries in the future.
Notably, General Secretary, President To Lam being invited to deliver the keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue reflects the international community's high regard and appreciation for Vietnam's increasingly prominent role, position, and reputation, as well as the role and reputation of General Secretary, President To Lam.
"Igniting the flame" for the one-year-old framework
Thailand is a particularly significant stop. This is the first visit to an ASEAN country by General Secretary, President To Lam in his new role and one year after the relationship was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It is also the first official visit to Thailand by a Vietnamese General Secretary, President. These "firsts" demonstrate Vietnam's high regard for its friendly and cooperative relations with Thailand, one of Vietnam's most important partners in the ASEAN region.
The visit carries multifaceted expectations, continuing to strengthen and deepen political trust amidst a world and regional situation characterized by many changes, thereby laying the foundation for the two countries to continue expanding cooperation in all areas, notably in the economic sphere. Both sides have significant potential for cooperation in new areas such as digital transformation, green economy, circular economy, renewable energy, innovation, and industrial transformation. These are all fields that align with the development strategies of both countries in the new phase.
Additionally, this event is expected to strongly promote regional connectivity, particularly in Mekong and ASEAN cooperation. Vietnam and Thailand both play important roles in promoting intra-ASEAN economic integration, enhancing infrastructure connectivity, trade, and people-to-people exchanges in the region.
Commenting on the significance of the visit to the press, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated that the high-level exchanges between the two countries during this occasion will open up new momentum for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework between the two countries, serving as a "compass" for future cooperation. Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung also expressed full confidence in the bilateral relationship that has been nurtured over five decades and the "early fruits" of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.
Looking deeper, it can be affirmed that from the historical legacy of President Ho Chi Minh, successive generations of leaders, with this historically significant visit by General Secretary, President To Lam, are continuing the fine tradition, jointly nurturing the Vietnam-Thailand friendship, and elevating the cooperation between the two countries to new heights.
Determined to create breakthroughs
The destination of Singapore also features highlights that create historical significance. The visit takes place just over a year after General Secretary To Lam's official visit to Singapore in March 2025, during which the relationship was declared to be upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The frequency of exchanges during the visit clearly demonstrates the determination of both sides' leaders to effectively implement the new relationship's content.
The event also occurs as both Vietnam and Singapore are entering new development phases with long-term strategic visions, determined to innovate and build a resilient, green, and digital economy.
This alignment in development vision has made economic cooperation a crucial pillar of bilateral cooperation, carrying high expectations during this high-level visit.
Both sides aim to strongly promote cooperation in investment, trade, finance, and supply chain connectivity. Singapore has strengths in technology, finance, logistics, and modern management, while Vietnam boasts a dynamic market, abundant human resources, and high growth rates. This complementarity creates vast potential for both countries to develop together in the new phase. The Vietnam-Singapore Tech Connect 2026 Forum, organized during the visit, is an opportunity for both countries to engage in deeper discussions on this important area of cooperation. Moreover, the visit will further support the new generation of Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) towards being greener, smarter, and more sustainable, aligning with global development trends and the sustainable development goals of both countries.
An article titled "Singapore and Vietnam: Strengthening Economic Cooperation in a Changing Global Context" published on AsiaInvest Singapore on May 25, right before the visit, noted that Singapore and Vietnam are well-positioned to contribute positively to ASEAN's growth and integration process in the future, thanks to their economic complementarity, practical approach, and long-term strategic cooperation orientation.
It is believed that with the high political determination of the senior leaders of both countries and the very favorable current cooperation foundation, Vietnam-Singapore relations will continue to develop strongly, substantively, and effectively in the coming time.
Aiming for new heights
The visit to the Philippines, ASEAN Chair 2026 – the final stop in General Secretary, President To Lam's journey – is considered a historical milestone in bilateral relations as it takes place in the context of the two countries approaching the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (July 12, 1976 - July 12, 2026); for the first time in half a century, the head of the Vietnamese Party and State is visiting the Philippines.
The event not only demonstrates Vietnam's high regard for the Philippines but also reflects the determination to elevate bilateral relations to new, stable, sustainable, and substantive heights; and Vietnam's strong support and practical companionship with the role of ASEAN Chair 2026.
Sharing with The World&Vietnam Report, Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III expressed hope that during the visit, the leaders of the two countries will chart a vision for bilateral relations not only in the short term but for the next five decades and beyond.
The two countries have a solid foundation to believe in breakthroughs in cooperation in the coming time. Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Lai Thai Binh emphasized that the Vietnam-Philippines Strategic Partnership is developing positively, comprehensively, and substantively in many key areas. Notably, in the economic field, investment cooperation from Vietnam to the Philippines has increased significantly in recent years. In 2025 alone, it reached over 92 million USD, accounting for nearly 70% of the total accumulated capital (133 million USD).
"I want to emphasize that the current foundation of Philippines-Vietnam relations is very solid, and the two countries are ready to move into a new development phase," Ambassador Francisco Noel R. Fernandez expressed.
In summary, General Secretary, President To Lam's visit to the three Southeast Asian countries sets high expectations. Certainly, with a shared strategic vision, a harmonious aspiration for development, and a "tight embrace" connecting the "brothers" within the ASEAN common home, Vietnam with Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines will continue to be important partners for each other, contributing positively to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
| "General Secretary, President To Lam's speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue is expected to convey Vietnam's perspectives and messages to other countries on directions to address strategic challenges, for peace, stability, and sustainable development in the evolving regional structure. General Secretary, President's keynote speech at Shangri-La affirms Vietnam's increasingly important role, position, and contributions to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world". Nguyen Manh Cuong, Party Central Committee Member, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs |
