Prime Minister’s presence at ASEAN Summit conveys message of a dynamic and strongly rising Viet Nam

ASEAN leaders agreed that while addressing immediate challenges remains an urgent task, the bloc must continue pursuing its long-term agenda in a consistent and effective manner. Political-security cooperation will continue to play a central role in safeguarding regional peace, security and stability by reinforcing solidarity, deepening political trust and promoting ASEAN-led mechanisms based on international law and multilateralism.

On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung also held a series of bilateral meetings with ASEAN leaders, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and President of the Asian Development Bank Masato Kanda. These meetings were described as productive and substantive, focusing on removing obstacles and advancing practical cooperation.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang highlighted three key outcomes from these engagements. First, the meetings helped foster personal connections between Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and regional leaders, thereby strengthening political trust between Viet Nam and ASEAN partners. Regional leaders expressed their readiness to work closely with Viet Nam, describing the country as an important and reliable partner amid rapidly evolving regional and global dynamics.

Second, the meetings reaffirmed a shared commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation through concrete actions. Discussions centered on enhancing political trust and expanding collaboration in trade, investment, defense-security, education, tourism and culture, while also prioritizing emerging areas such as infrastructure connectivity, green transition, circular economy, semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

During a trilateral exchange involving Laos and Cambodia, the three Prime Ministers agreed to instruct relevant agencies to effectively implement the outcomes of the February 2026 meeting among the leaders of the three ruling parties, with the aim of creating new momentum for development and elevating trilateral cooperation in a more substantive manner.

The ADB also reaffirmed its commitment to remaining a trusted development partner of Viet Nam and supporting the country's resource needs during its new stage of development.

Third, ASEAN partners highly appreciated Viet Nam's increasingly important role within the bloc and the wider international community. In discussions on regional and global developments, particularly the Middle East situation, leaders agreed on the need for closer coordination within ASEAN and the United Nations framework to uphold ASEAN centrality in addressing regional and international issues.

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn affirmed that after more than three decades of membership, Viet Nam has emerged as one of ASEAN's key members, adding that a strong and prosperous Việt Nam would make significant contributions to ASEAN Community-building efforts.

Within just over 30 hours, Prime Minister Le took part in nearly 20 bilateral and multilateral activities, achieving substantive and practical outcomes while projecting the image of a dynamic, innovative, deeply integrating and strongly rising Viet Nam — a proactive and responsible member of the ASEAN Community. 

The visit also laid favorable groundwork and generated fresh momentum for further deepening and expanding Viet Nam's relations with partners in both scope and substance in the coming period./.