Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s trip to Malaysia: A vibrant commitment to the future
WVR - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to Malaysia and attendance at the 46th ASEAN Summit and related meetings is a “brotherly reunion” under one roof—an opportunity for the Vietnamese leader to advance a new framework of relations with the host country, while joining other ASEAN leaders in shaping a development trajectory, navigating through uncertainties, and moving toward a brighter future.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, leaders of ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste attend the plenary session of the 46th ASEAN Summit on May 26, 2025. (Photo: VNA) |
Throughout its 58 years of formation and development, ASEAN has patiently and persistently laid each building block to reach the stature it holds today. Steadfast from within, ASEAN is, for the first time in its history, demonstrating greater boldness—"thinking deeply, acting boldly"—as it sets out a long-term roadmap: the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, carrying with it greater aspirations for both today and tomorrow.
The visit reaffirms Vietnam's consistent foreign policy of valuing relations with neibouring countries and ASEAN, and expresses support for Malaysia and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in his role at the helm of ASEAN in a pivotal year—marking the conclusion of a decade of Community-building and the launch of a shared future vision.
A clear message of trust and strategy
“Like at home,” Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his feelings at the joint press conference when mentioning the warm and sincere welcome of the leaders and people of Malaysia. Meanwhile, the host country’s Prime Minister emphasized: “As I have said many times, Vietnam has a special place in our hearts”.
These are natural bridges that inspire substantive exchanges and reflect the strong will and determination of both countries to clearly define the development direction of the Vietnam–Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework—true to the spirit emphasized by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh: “If you say it, you must do it; if you promise, you must deliver.” And once action is taken, it must yield tangible, measurable results—results that can be “weighed, counted, and evaluated.”
Many key tasks were identified by the two Prime Ministers, including: finalizing the action program for implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the 2025–2030 period; establishing a flexible, annual exchange mechanism between the two countries' senior leaders; striving to raise bilateral trade turnover to USD 20 billion by 2030 in a balanced manner; expanding cooperation in digital economy, circular economy, and green economy; Vietnam’s readiness to provide a stable and long-term rice supply to Malaysia; and a proposal for Malaysia to support the development of Vietnam’s Halal industry and to soon sign a cooperation document in this area.
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| 46th ASEAN Summit: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (R) welcomes Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. (Photo: VNA) |
This high-level determination is also spreading to the business community—the pioneering force expected to breathe new life into the economic cooperation between the two countries.
Notably, after five years of “gestation” — beginning with Vietnam’s initiative during its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020 on the group’s post-2025 development orientation — ASEAN has officially adopted the document “ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future.” This includes the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 along with political-security, economic, socio-cultural, and connectivity strategies, laying a strategic foundation for ASEAN’s future cooperation and integration.
The signing and adoption of these strategic documents marks a new chapter in ASEAN’s development, echoing the founding members’ commitment nearly 60 years ago. As Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized, it is not only a tribute to the past, but also a vibrant pledge to the future.
Vietnam with the message of “five more”
Throughout this high-level summit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh helped rekindle the belief that with shared will and a common vision, ASEAN can overcome all turbulence and move forward with strength. Vietnam reaffirms its commitment to being a responsible, active, and proactive member, ready to work with ASEAN to build a Community that is “more united, more self-reliant, more proactive, more inclusive, and more sustainable.”
According to the Prime Minister, each “more” cherishes a sincere aspiration: More united to generate collective strength; More self-reliant to hold one’s own destiny; More proactive to shape the game instead of just playing it; More inclusive to ensure ASEAN remains a shared home for all members; and More sustainable for the sake of future generations.
To realize the “five more”, the Prime Minister proposed three focuses of cooperation. First, ASEAN reshapes its development thinking towards inclusiveness as the foundation, innovation as the driving force and sustainability as the destination. Second, ASEAN continues to promote its role as a connector and expand links beyond the region, diversifying products, markets and supply chains. Third, ASEAN maintains its central role and enhances its regional resilience. The group’s success will depend on its ability to ensure an independent and autonomous strategic space in implementing policies. ASEAN needs to reaffirm its central role through action, maintain strategic autonomy, promote intra-group consensus and enhance its capacity to proactively adapt to external fluctuations.
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| 46th ASEAN Summit: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends ASEAN – GCC – China Summit. (Photo: VNA) |
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has always deeply cared about ASEAN’s development. He initiated the ASEAN Future Forum to create a space for dialogue on the future of the shared regional “home.” At the ASEAN Leadership and Partnership Forum (ALPF) held on the framework of the Summit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh was honoured as ASEAN's Outstanding Leader 2025.
As the ASEAN anthem “The ASEAN Way” goes: “This is the ASEAN way, united in our hearts and minds, forging ahead as one, in a peaceful, prosperous Southeast Asia.” Together, ASEAN is moving toward a bright and prosperous future.
The official visit to Malaysia and attendance at the ASEAN Summit by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh was a resounding success, with Vietnam continuing to contribute its “notes and verses” to the harmonious and enduring song of ASEAN unity.
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