Reflecting on Vietnam’s entry into ASEAN in 1995, the diplomat observed that, for the first time, Southeast Asia became unified under a single bloc. Solidarity, mutual respect for sovereignty, and win-win cooperation are foundations for regional peace and stability, he stated.
Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) three decades ago not only marked a pivotal moment in its own integration, but also contributed significantly to fostering unity and stability across the region, Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam has remarked.
Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s membership in the bloc (28 July 1995 – 2025), Ratnam affirmed that Vietnam has consistently played a principled and pivotal role in safeguarding ASEAN’s centrality.
The bloc remains a top priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy, he noted. The country has taken proactive steps to ensure ASEAN leads in addressing both regional and global challenges, not merely in words, but through specific action.
The ambassador highlighted Vietnam’s 2020 ASEAN chairmanship as a clear demonstration of its leadership, particularly in fostering effective cooperation mechanisms to confront the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also pointed to the close collaboration between Vietnam and Singapore in advancing the ASEAN Power Grid, a key initiative for promoting green energy transition, attracting investment, creating high-quality jobs, and enhancing energy security in the region.
He praised Vietnam’s steadfast commitment to defending a rules-based international order amid growing global uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.
Reflecting on Vietnam’s entry into ASEAN in 1995, the diplomat observed that, for the first time, Southeast Asia became unified under a single bloc. Solidarity, mutual respect for sovereignty, and win-win cooperation are foundations for regional peace and stability, he stated.
Singapore and Vietnam, he added, share a common vision for a more integrated and competitive ASEAN market. As Singapore prepares to assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2027, coinciding with the bloc’s 60th anniversary, it will work closely with Vietnam and other member states to deepen regional integration and reinforce ASEAN’s centrality and international standing.
Looking ahead, Ratnam said the Vietnam-Singapore partnership is poised for even stronger growth. Amid rising geopolitical tensions and mounting pressure on multilateralism, the two countries elevated ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership earlier this year – Singapore’s first of its kind with an ASEAN member, and one of just three such relationships globally.
He stressed this upgraded partnership opens vast potential for mutual collaboration in and benefit from such strategic fields as defence, security, and transnational crime prevention, to emerging ones like renewable energy, carbon credits, undersea cable connectivity, food security, and the digital economy.
♓ These areas align with not only the sides’ priorities, but also ASEAN’s broader collective vision, the ambassador concluded./.
Since joining ASEAN in 1995, Vietnam has emerged as a key player in uniting the bloc and deepning its ties with external partners
In the three decades since, the country, consistently following a motto of being proactive, positive and responsible, has emerged as a vital force in ASEAN’s development, strengthening internal unity and consolidating the bloc’s centrality in regional and global affairs.
A peaceful, stable, and fast-developing Vietnam with deep and effective international integration has helped strengthen ASEAN’s overall capacity, intra-bloc connectivity, and global standing, said a scholar from the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
