The opening ceremony of the 37th ASEAN Summit, Hanoi, November 12, 2020 (Photo: VNA)

Viet Nam officially became the seventh member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the 28th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Brunei on July 28, 1995. The move marked a pivotal strategic decision by the Vietnamese Party, one that opened the door to comprehensive international integration.

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam (second from right) with the ASEAN Secretary-General and Foreign Ministers at the meeting to admit Viet Nam as the seventh member of the bloc in Brunei, July 28, 1995. (Photo: VNA)

In the three decades since, the country, consistently following a motto of being proactive, positive and responsible, has emerged as a vital force in ASEAN’s development, strengthening internal unity and consolidating the bloc’s centrality in regional and global affairs.

Stellar contributions

The session for the adoption of the Hanoi Plan of Action and the Hanoi Declaration, on December 16, 1998, in Hanoi, held within the framework of the 6th ASEAN Summit from December 15–16, 1998. (Photo: VNA)

Viet Nam has assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship on three separate occasions – in 1998, 2010 and 2020. Notably, after just three years of membership, the nation successfully hosted the 6th ASEAN Summit in December 1998. The event saw the adoption of the landmark Hanoi Plan of Action, which helped enhance cohesion, expand cooperation, and shape the roadmap for achieving the ASEAN Vision 2020.

Foreign Ministers of ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretary-General at the ceremony to admit Laos and Myanmar as official members of ASEAN, July 23, 1997, in Subang Jaya, Malaysia. (Photo: VNA)

 To realise the vision of a fully integrated bloc comprising all 10 Southeast Asian nations, Hanoi was instrumental in advancing the accession of Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung hosts a working dinner with heads of delegations from ASEAN member states, as part of the 16th ASEAN Summit in Hanoi, April 8, 2010. (Photo: VNA)

As ASEAN Chair in 2010, Viet Nam sought to transform the bloc’s collective vision into concrete action. Key milestones under its chairmanship included the adoption of the first Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC 2015), the expansion of the East Asia Summit (EAS) to include Russia and the US, and the establishment of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+).

In 2020, amidst the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Viet Nam fostered unity and resilience within the ASEAN Community, spearheading innovative responses such as the adoption of virtual summits. These initiatives not only enabled continuity but also enhanced the bloc’s adaptive capacity and post-pandemic recovery efforts.

Beyond its rotating chairmanship duties, the country has made lasting contributions to shaping the strategic direction of ASEAN. These include driving the completion of the ASEAN-10 vision, supporting foundational frameworks such as the Hanoi Plan of Action (1998), ASEAN Vision 2020 (1997), the Declaration of ASEAN Concord II (2003), the ASEAN Charter (2007), and the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 (2015). Viet Nam remains actively involved in the ongoing formulation of the bloc’s Vision for 2045.

At the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 and 2025 in Viet Nam. (Photo: VNA)

At the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia in September 2023, Viet Nam proposed the initiative to host the ASEAN Future Forum as a complementary platform to the association’s formal mechanisms, offering a space for broad exchange of ideas and regional cooperation initiatives, contributing to the building of a resilient and sustainable regional community.

The inaugural forum, held in Hanoi on 23 April 2024, marked a major highlight of Viet Nam’s regional diplomacy. Building on that momentum, the nation hosted its second edition in February this year.

A bridge between ASEAN and its partners

Over the past three decades, Viet Nam has proven that its ASEAN membership has been a transformative force not only for itself but for the bloc as a whole. This is the prevailing view among numerous international scholars and experts.

Thai scholar Kavi Chongkittavorn (Photo: VNA)

During an interview with the Viet Nam News Agency in Bangkok, Thai scholar Kavi Chongkittavorn stated that Viet Nam has become one of the most active and innovative members of ASEAN. He emphasised that Viet Nam has successfully leveraged ASEAN’s economic frameworks to drive domestic reforms while also expanding its influence both regionally and globally. This includes significant achievements in attracting investment, promoting trade, and fostering sustainable growth.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends and delivers a speech at the ASEAN – Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 20, 2023. (Photo: VNA)

He expressed confidence that by 2045, Viet Nam could lead ASEAN in economic integration and innovation. He envisions the country as a key driver of bloc-wide initiatives for inclusive and resilient growth, in line with the ASEAN Vision 2045.

Dinna Prapto Raharja (R), a researcher at Indonesia’s Synergy Policies. (Photo: VNA)

The remarkable achievements Viet Nam has made over the past three decades lay a solid foundation for its next strategic steps in deepening regional integration, affirmed Dinna Prapto Raharja, a researcher at Indonesia’s Synergy Policies.

Beni Sukadis, Senior Coordinator at Indonesia’s Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies (Lesperssi), stressed that Viet Nam is widely seen as a proactive and assertive member in efforts to strengthen ASEAN’s internal unity and cohesion. On regional security, particularly the East Sea issue, Viet Nam has maintained a clear and consistent stance, while playing a constructive and responsible role, especially in advancing the Code of Conduct (COC) negotiations.

Beni Sukadis, Senior Coordinator at Indonesia’s Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies (Photo: VNA).

Beni said he is confident that Viet Nam will continue to serve as a pillar in shaping the region’s future direction. Strong economic growth, political stability, and increasingly mature diplomacy make it one of the key “balancing and connecting” members.

For ASEAN’s development and prosperity

Prime Minister Phan Van Khai attends the meeting of ASEAN heads of state and governments to adopt the Hanoi Plan of Action and the Hanoi Declaration on December 16, 1998. (Photo: VNA)

Dr Kao Kim Hourn, ASEAN Secretary-General, has praised Viet Nam’s contributions over the past three decades, highlighting its role in promoting and preserving peace, stability and security in the region. He also commended its efforts in advancing ASEAN’s prosperity and deepening the bloc’s external relations, particularly with dialogue partners.

Dr Kao Kim Hourn, ASEAN Secretary-General (Photo: VNA)

Viet Nam today is an extremely important member of ASEAN, he stressed. Its development, transformation, and growth have made the country a vital partner politically, economically, and socio-culturally, helping make the bloc stronger, more resilient, and more dynamic, he said.

He noted that Viet Nam has helped elevate ASEAN’s presence at both regional and global levels, particularly as the bloc continues to expand its role through ASEAN-led mechanisms.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the 27th ASEAN+3 Summit on October 10, 2024, in Vientiane, Laos. (Photo: VNA)

Looking ahead, the ASEAN chief expressed his belief that the country will remain a key driving force in ASEAN’s journey over the next two decades, supporting the realisation of a dynamic, innovative, resilient, and people-centred ASEAN Community.

Vietnamese artists perform traditional musical instruments at the ASEAN night programme in France, February 19, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Indeed, over 30 years since joining the organisation, Viet Nam has swiftly integrated and played an active role across all pillars of ASEAN cooperation. Its sustained efforts in strengthening intra-bloc unity and fostering both regional and external partnerships have been integral to ASEAN’s growth and success./.

The opening ceremony of the ASEAN+ Children’s Festival 2017 is held in Hanoi on June 1, 2017. (Photo: VNA)

Source: VNA