In an article on the occasion of Vietnam's 30th anniversary of ASEAN (July 28, 1995 - July 28, 2025) and the 58th anniversary of ASEAN's founding (August 8, 1997 - August 8, 2025), Party Central Committee member, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son emphasized that the past 30 years are a vivid testament to the vision and political will of our Party and State in building and consolidating an environment of peace and cooperation for development.
Vietnam has come to ASEAN in a spirit of friendship, participating in ASEAN in a sense of responsibility. And today, in a world that is changing strongly, Vietnam, with a new mindset and new mindset, will continue to work with other countries to write ASEAN's success stories in the new era of development.
30 years of persistent efforts affirming Vietnam's bravery and mark
Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son pointed out that Vietnam's first and continuous contribution is an effort to strengthen solidarity and consensus, core values that make up the success and identity of ASEAN.
With a balanced and good-law approach, Vietnam contributes to harmonizing differences and increasing the common point, maintaining ASEAN's common voice on regional strategic issues on the basis of the principles of international law, the United Nations Charter, and the ASEAN Charter.
If consensus is the result of sharing vision, then action is a measure of effectiveness. In this aspect, Vietnam has played a good role as a bridge between policies and practices, meeting the practical benefits of people, businesses and localities.
From the Hanoi Declaration on narrowing the development gap in 2001, COVID-19 response initiatives to the 2021 Subregional Development Summit, Vietnam has always been a leader in promoting even and inclusive development.
In particular, our approach to taking the people as the center, the goal and driving force of the Community building process has been included in the consistent orientation of the ASEAN document 2045.
Vietnam is also a factor that actively promotes the network of partners and enhances ASEAN's influence. We contribute to deepening ASEAN's relations with partners, strengthening ASEAN's central role in the regional structure, and promoting ASEAN's participation in global parliamentary sessions.
Vietnam has pioneered many initiatives, typically the success of the ASEAN Future Forum in the past 2 years, opening up opportunities for inclusive policy dialogue on new trends, contributing to shaping long-term cooperation thinking and solutions.
New thinking and new mindset: Ready for the new journey of the ASEAN Community
ASEAN is entering a new phase with the 2045 Vision, continuing to affirm itself as a successful model of peace, stability and cooperation. The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that on that basis, we have identified 5 major orientations to continue to participate in creating the success of ASEAN.
First of all, it is necessary to maintain a strategic space for peace and stability. Vietnam needs to continue to work with other countries to strengthen consensus, enhance strategic trust, maintain ASEAN's central role, promote principles, standards of conduct and uphold the rule of law.
Second, expand economic space, promote initiatives to exploit the internal market, effectively take advantage of FTAs with partners and diversify linkages with dynamic and potential partners.
Third, building a space for innovation, where ASEAN becomes a destination for breakthrough ideas and solutions based on digital transformation, science - technology, and innovation.
Fourth, shape an inclusive development space, where people, businesses, and localities enjoy the fruits fairly, and are given the opportunity to participate more widely in the process of building the Community.
Finally, connecting cultural and social spaces to enrich the Community's identity, enhancing friendship and understanding between people of different countries.
Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that entering a new journey, with a new mindset and new mindset, Vietnam will continue to accompany other countries to build a self-reliant, inclusive and sustainable ASEAN Community.
