Vietnam: An Active and Responsible Member of ASEAN

Since 1995, Vietnam has grown into one of the bloc’s dynamic and committed members. Over nearly three decades, Hanoi has demonstrated a consistent determination to strengthen ASEAN’s role as a central pillar of regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Vietnam’s approach combines active participation in ASEAN’s political, security, and economic pillars in global and regional forums.

Building Trust and Community

2010 Chairmanship: Vietnam set the theme of “Towards the ASEAN Community: From Vision to Action,” focusing on implementing the ASEAN Charter and laying the groundwork for the ASEAN Community, which would later be established in 2015, with the aim of addressing issues such as economic recovery, connectivity, climate change response, human resource development, and ASEAN’s external relations.

2020 Chairmanship: Amid the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam demonstrated adaptability by shifting nearly all ASEAN meetings to virtual platforms. Despite global disruptions, Hanoi pushed through critical initiatives on pandemic response, economic recovery, supply chain resilience, and digital connectivity.

Vietnam also stood out for spearheading the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund and initiating the creation of a regional reserve of medical supplies, significantly enhancing ASEAN’s collective capacity to respond to crises. These efforts reflect a broader lesson: initiative and meaningful participation are essential to creating lasting impact.

Trade and Integration

In terms of trade, ASEAN, with its population of about 650 million, is a crucial partner for Vietnam. ASEAN ranks as Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner after China and the US. In 2024, bilateral trade totaled approximately $83.9 billion, with annual growth consistently maintained at 14-15 per cent. In the first half of 2025, trade surpassed $45 billion, indicating that maintaining this growth rate will likely result in a new record by year-end.

With over 98 per cent of intra-bloc tariffs eliminated and a strong export surplus to neighboring markets, ASEAN offers highly favorable conditions for Vietnamese goods to penetrate deeper into the region. ASEAN has always been regarded as both a traditional and strategic market for Vietnam, especially amid the current global economic uncertainties. Besides, geographic and cultural proximity between Vietnam and ASEAN countries is a key advantage, particularly in trade, where distance often plays a crucial role in market connectivity and growth.

Amid growing technical barriers and intense competition, the importance of digital transformation and technological adoption in trade and logistics. Strengthening digital trade with ASEAN, enhancing FTA implementation capacity, standardizing goods, and expanding flexible bilateral cooperation are crucial to positioning Vietnam as a dynamic trade hub within the region.

While trade remains the backbone of Vietnam’s economic engagement with ASEAN, agriculture stands as a key pillar of regional collaboration, both in ensuring food security and in driving sustainable, inclusive growth. As Vietnam deepens its trade ties within the bloc, its agricultural sector is also evolving in tandem with ASEAN’s broader agenda for resilience, innovation, and green transformation.

Over 30 years of ASEAN membership, Vietnam’s agriculture sector has transformed dramatically, from a food-deficient country to one of the world’s leading exporters of rice, coffee, cashew nuts, tropical fruit, and seafood. 

Vietnam has taken a leadership role in ASEAN’s food security agenda, initiating the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework and Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security (SPA-FS) for 2021-2025. The country also advocates new technological adoption, including AI, hydrogen energy, and clean agriculture, to align with regional priorities.

Other initiatives include biomass energy projects, rural industry development, emergency reserve funds, and the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) to support crisis preparedness and response. Vietnam continues harmonizing with international frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) to promote traceable, green Vietnamese agricultural exports.

Security and Diplomacy

Vietnam’s contributions to ASEAN’s political and security pillar are particularly noteworthy. Vietnam deeply understands the importance of maintaining regional peace and stability, so it has been a strong advocate for adherence to international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes, particularly in the South China Sea.

Vietnam has consistently worked with fellow ASEAN members to uphold the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and to promote the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). It has also played a proactive role in negotiations for a substantive and effective Code of Conduct (COC), underscoring its commitment to a rules-based order.

Vietnam has taken a pragmatic and constructive approach to the crisis in Myanmar, focusing on supporting ASEAN’s efforts to find a peaceful and sustainable solution. As a fellow member of the bloc, Vietnam has consistently upheld the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus, which calls for an immediate cessation of violence, dialogue among all parties.

Vietnam’s diplomatic efforts have been key in maintaining ASEAN’s unity and centrality in addressing the crisis. It has used its influence to encourage a non-confrontational approach, emphasizing that the crisis must be resolved through peaceful means and constructive engagement, not external interference. By supporting the ASEAN special envoy and working with other members, Vietnam has played a crucial role in facilitating humanitarian aid and promoting a path toward national reconciliation in Myanmar. This measured and principled stance reflects Vietnam’s broader commitment to regional stability and the principles of non-interference and mutual respect that are fundamental to the ASEAN charter.

Furthermore, Vietnam’s involvement in ASEAN’s defense and security mechanisms, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the ASEAN DefenceMinisters’ Meeting (ADMM), has been crucial. By participating in joint exercises, counter-terrorism efforts, and maritime security initiatives, Vietnam strengthens the region’s collective defense capabilities.

Vietnam in Multilateral Parliamentary Diplomacy

Vietnam has also invested heavily in parliamentary diplomacy — the engagement of its National Assembly with international parliamentary bodies. This complements government-to-government ties and ensures that commitments made at the regional and global level are translated into domestic laws and policies.

Its multilateral engagement has been marked by the successful hosting of major international events such as IPU-132 (2015), with adopting the “Hanoi Declaration,” which called on parliaments to turn the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into reality; APPF-26 (2018), introducing the “Hanoi Declaration” that emphasized parliamentary cooperation in realizing the SDGs, promoting regional security, and strengthening multilateralism; AIPA-41 (2020), passed resolutions on economic recovery, health cooperation, and women’s empowerment.

Vietnam’s National Assembly leaders regularly stress the need for AIPA to strengthen its links with ASEAN’s executive track, so that parliamentary action — such as ratifying agreements or harmonizing laws — can directly support ASEAN’s goals.

Vietnam’s National Assembly has already shown the practical benefits of this approach. By hosting and reciprocating parliamentary visits, and by actively engaging in inter-parliamentary forums such as AIPA, IPU, and APPF, it has helped shape common positions on pressing issues. Proposals to establish inter-parliamentary committees, legislative staff exchanges, and joint research centers would further institutionalize this cooperation.

Vietnam’s National Assembly leaders regularly stress the need for AIPA to strengthen its links with ASEAN’s executive track, so that parliamentary action — such as ratifying agreements or harmonizing laws — can directly support ASEAN’s goals.

Looking Ahead

As Southeast Asia navigates intensifying great-power competition, supply-chain realignments, and the urgent challenges of climate change, bilateral and multilateral relationships that combine political trust, economic complementarity, and parliamentary cooperation will be crucial stabilizing forces.

Vietnam’s active role in ASEAN and its parliamentary diplomacy in AIPA, IPU, and APPF show that the country sees regional and global engagement not just as a matter for governments, but as a collective responsibility that also involves legislatures. By ensuring that commitments are implemented through laws and oversight, Vietnam contributes to a more resilient ASEAN and a more accountable multilateral system.

For Vietnam, the path ahead is clear: to continue being a responsible and proactive ASEAN member, while also using parliamentary diplomacy to amplify the voices of its people, promote shared development, and safeguard peace and stability across the region.

LatestMalaysia

Vietnam expected to further elevate role and position in ASEAN