Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Vietnam and Malaysia, two rapidly developing nations with active roles in ASEAN, have substantial potential for enhanced cooperation in four strategic sectors, according to Professor Datuk Awang Azman Awang Pawi of the University of Malaya.
Speaking to Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reporters in Kuala Lumpur ahead of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to Malaysia and attendance in the 46th ASEAN Summit and related high-level meetings from May 24 to 28, Professor Awang highlighted the maritime economy and fisheries as the first key area – traditional sectors that still hold considerable room for growth.
♓ The second area he pointed to is green energy and renewable technologies. He stressed that both countries could collaborate on developing clean energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydrogen, with technology transfer forming a central part of the bilateral agenda.
Additionally, the scholar noted that the Halal industry and agricultural processing present further opportunities. Malaysia’s globally recognised Halal certification could support Vietnamese products in penetrating high-potential markets, particularly in the Middle East.
Finally, in the context of global digital transformation, the digital economy and cybersecurity offer strong prospects for investment and cooperation, particularly in artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and smart manufacturing.
🍒 To deepen cooperation and maximise the countries’ existing comprehensive strategic partnership, Professor Awang proposed three concrete solutions. He said both sides should establish high-level bilateral task forces equipped with clearly defined key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure tangible outcomes.
In addition, expanding the participation of the private sector and academic institutions in joint innovation programmes would inject fresh impetus into creative development. Lastly, enhancing connectivity in logistics and customs procedures is considered a critical condition for facilitating trade, thereby sustainably and efficiently increasing the volume of bilateral commerce.
💯 Meanwhile, on the same occasion, Professor Yeah Kim Leng of Sunway University told the VNA that the two countries are benefiting from the ongoing global shift in investment flows.
Malaysia, the scholar noted, is also well-positioned to capitalise on this trend. On the growing potential for bilateral cooperation, Yeah highlighted the complementary nature of the two economies, citing their current economic structures and levels of development as conducive to harmonious collaboration.
About market opportunities, he advised both nations to improve mutual market access. Malaysian products that are not yet widely available in Vietnam could be exported to fill local demand, and vice versa. This complementary trade model, he explained, would not only optimise regional supply chains but also expand bilateral trade space, steering the trade relationship toward greater balance and efficiency.
Beyond key economic sectors, he also pointed to untapped potential for mutual learning in tourism, education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
A notable highlight in his analysis was the digital economy. Both Vietnam and Malaysia, he observed, are investing heavily in digital transformation, viewing it as a critical driver of growth in the new era.
In this context, the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement offers an ideal platform for the two countries to deepen cooperation. Through this regional deal, Vietnam and Malaysia could coordinate policies, align standards, and jointly capitalise on digital opportunities to climb higher in global and regional value chains, he said.
Concluding his assessment of Vietnam - Malaysia relations, he stressed the importance of a long-term focus on sustainable economic growth and resilience to global shocks. In an era where ASEAN is redefining its role in global supply chains, tighter coordination between Vietnam and Malaysia, he noted, could help forge stronger, more adaptive supply chain links, ultimately enhancing their international standings.
The University of Malaya (UM), one of Malaysia’s most prestigious educational institutions in Southeast Asia, had the honour of welcoming Party General Secretary To Lam during his official visit to Malaysia in November last year. During the trip, the Vietnamese Party chief delivered a keynote speech at the university, underlining the vital role of education in fostering cooperation and mutual understanding between Vietnam and Malaysia.
🐈 Regarding the role of universities such as the UM in strengthening people-to-people connections, especially among the younger generation, Collins Chong Yew Keat, an expert on foreign affairs and security and a lecturer at the UM, stressed that education serves as a key pillar in bilateral engagement.
He emphasised that the UM not only produces high-quality human resources but also nurtures leadership, critical thinking, and global competence among students. Students at the university are empowered to take charge of their studying, and are encouraged to develop holistically, so that they can carry with them the institution's spirit and reputation in the nation as well as to the international stage after graduation.
To promote people-to-people ties between the two countries, the UM has implemented a variety of impactful and practical initiatives, Collins said
Student exchange programmes, cultural exchanges, and academic collaborations, spanning professors to undergraduates, have become an effective bridge enabling the youth of both nations to understand one another more deeply and to share knowledge, values, and a joint aspiration for a prosperous, sustainable regional future.
These efforts not only strengthen the foundation of bilateral relations but also pave new pathways for cooperation in education, one of the most enduring engines of ASEAN’s collective growth.
Looking ahead, the UM hopes to welcome more Vietnamese students to Malaysia—not only to benefit from its high-quality academic environment but also to experience the local culture and strengthen ties between the youth of both countries, the expert said.
Meanwhile, the university is committed to helping Malaysian students gain a greater appreciation of the unique cultures and languages of ASEAN nations, including Vietnam. With its language faculty and comprehensive academic programmes, the UM stands ready to serve as a bridge for cultural exchange, contributing to the formation of a united and diverse ASEAN community.
🅷 Through the UM’s collaborative programmes with Vietnamese educational institutions, the potential of students from both countries will continue to be nurtured and harnessed, fostering a generation of globally-minded citizens equipped with resilience, knowledge, and responsibility, he said./.
