Full remarks by Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son at 30th anniversary of Viet Nam's ASEAN membership

(Melia, Ha Noi, 28/7/2025)

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Excellencies, Ambassadors,

Distinguished Leaders and Representatives of ministries and agencies,

Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great privilege for me to host this dinner reception on the occasion of the 30^th anniversary of Viet Nam's ASEAN Membership and the 58^th anniversary of ASEAN. I wish to extend a very warm welcome to you all.

On this occasion, we respectfully pay tribute to the visionary leaders and generations of officials whose dedications and contributions have laid a solid foundation for our constructive engagement and active participation in ASEAN, and continue to guide and inspire us in our efforts today.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Viet Nam's accession to ASEAN in 1995 marked an important milestone. Viet Nam and ASEAN came together around a shared aspiration, which is to build a region of peace, stability and development. We also came together in a spirit of humility, shared responsibility and most importantly, a commitment to one another.

Over the years, for Viet Nam, ASEAN has been more than just a framework for regional cooperation. ASEAN has been the first and most important gateway for regional integration and development. It is within this ASEAN family that we have also found a deep sense of belonging.

We are proud to have walked through ASEAN's defining moments, from the realisation of ASEAN-10, signing of the ASEAN Charter, establishment of the ASEAN Community, and to the adoption of "ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future" most recently. Along this journey, we have stood shoulder to shoulder with fellow member states, partners and friends in strengthening solidarity through difficult times, and working together to build a more cohesive, resilient and forward-looking ASEAN.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Over nearly six decades, ASEAN has transformed into a community of ten nations, and soon to be eleven, united in purpose, guided by shared objectives and principles. ASEAN has become a driving force for regional stability, economic dynamism, and socio-cultural harmony.

Today ASEAN is the world's fifth largest economy, with a combined GDP of nearly 4 trillion USD and a population of almost 700 million. By 2030, it is expected to become the fourth largest. Building on the ASEAN Free Trade Area, ASEAN Economic Community and an expanding network of FTAs Plus, ASEAN has unlocked enormous economic opportunities, opened dynamic flows of trade and investment, enhanced regional connectivity, and thus positioned Southeast Asia as an epicentre of sustainable growth, innovation and inclusive progress.

ASEAN's relations with external partners have also grown stronger and deeper, based on mutual respect and benefit. Through ASEAN-led frameworks, ASEAN has demonstrated the ability to promote dialogue, constructive engagement and cooperation on regional and global issues. These partnerships not only reflect ASEAN's growing relevance but also reaffirm its central role in shaping an open, inclusive, transparent, and rules-based regional architecture.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

ASEAN's achievements have been made on a robust foundation of norms and principles, as enshrined in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and the ASEAN Charter, and in the spirit of close neighbourliness, and a cohesive and united community. Against the backdrop of growing complexities of today's world, it is ever more important that ASEAN must work together and with our partners to promote dialogue, diplomacy, international law and multilateralism, and maintain an enviroment of peace, security and stability in the region as prerequisites for sustainable growth and further success of the ASEAN Community. And ASEAN must do so with greater unity, greater adaptability, and greater resolve.

In this connection, Viet Nam welcomes the common understanding between Cambodia and Thailand reached in Putrajaya just hours ago, especially on the immediate and unconditional ceasefire, as a vital first step towards de-escalation and restoration of peace and security. This is good news for all of us, especially on this special day.

Viet Nam fully supports and remains steadfast in advancing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. We are firmly committed to reinforcing ASEAN's unity, centrality and strategic autonomy as the bedrock for our continued success. We will also continue to promote integration, drive innovation, champion green and digital transformation, and foster inclusive and sustainable development. The ASEAN Future Forum which Viet Nam hosts, will serve as an open, inclusive platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue to contribute to the ASEAN community building efforts.

On this occasion, I wish to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to ASEAN Member States and Partners for the friendship, trust, support and cooperation, which has enabled Viet Nam to contribute meaningfully to ASEAN's success.

May I now invite you all to join me in a toast:

- To the ASEAN Community;

- To the lasting friendship, peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and around the world;

- And to the health and well-being of all of us here today!

Thank you very much./.