On the morning of May 7, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and a high-level Vietnamese delegation left Hanoi to attend the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, from May 7 to 8, 2026, at the invitation of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. of the Republic of the Philippines, who chairs ASEAN for 2026.
This was Prime Minister Le Minh Hung’s first trip abroad as head of the new government, and also the first multilateral conference he attended in person.
Vietnam joined ASEAN on July 28, 1995. Since its accession, it has always considered ASEAN as a priority of its foreign policy, participating actively, positively and responsibly in the pillars of the Community and all areas of cooperation. He has made significant contributions to building the ASEAN Community, helping to ensure a peaceful, stable and cooperative regional environment, and has been highly appreciated by ASEAN and its member states.
The Vietnamese flag was raised in Brunei during Vietnam’s official accession to ASEAN. (Archive photo)
The journey of the past 30 years eloquently testifies to Vietnam’s strong and deep aspiration for integration, as well as its pioneering spirit, sense of responsibility and proactive approach towards a united and resilient ASEAN community.
For ASEAN, Vietnam’s participation marked a major turning point in the formation and development of the Association, contributing to the realization of the vision of the founders: to unite member states around aspirations for peace, prosperity and a spirit of solidarity and mutual understanding. Vietnam’s bilateral relations with ASEAN countries have developed positively. Vietnam has elevated its relations with Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand to comprehensive strategic partnerships.
After more than 30 years of participation in ASEAN, Vietnam has become a core member, working with other member states to maintain regional peace and stability, strengthen relations with its partners, effectively use the ASEAN economic network to promote trade and investment, and leverage cooperation, support and resources from ASEAN and its partners to achieve its socio-economic development objectives.
Vietnam has fully fulfilled its representation obligations within ASEAN. Host country of the 6th ASEAN Summit (1998), just three years after its accession, Vietnam, together with the other member states, led ASEAN in facing the challenges of the economic and financial crisis of 1997, thanks to the Action Plan of Hanoi, maintaining the momentum of regional cooperation and integration and realizing ASEAN Vision 2020.
The responsibilities entrusted to Vietnam by ASEAN, such as the chairmanship of the 34th ASEAN Standing Committee and the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2010 and 2020, have yielded remarkable results. As an example, Vietnam’s proposals for several important initiatives during its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020 include the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund, the ASEAN Emergency Medical Supplies Reserve, the ASEAN Strategic Framework for Emergencies, the Comprehensive Recovery Framework for ASEAN and its implementation plan.
In addition, Vietnam has made significant contributions to policy decisions aimed at guiding ASEAN’s development, including: promoting the completion of the ASEAN-10 concept, adopting the Hanoi Agenda for Action of 1998, the ASEAN Vision 2020 (in 1997), the Declaration of Concord of ASEAN on Building the ASEAN Community (in 2003), the ASEAN Charter (in 2007), the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 (developed in 2015) and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045…
In a context where ASEAN is strongly impacted by the conflict in the Middle East, Vietnam has contributed proactively, during recent ASEAN meetings, to proposing numerous concrete initiatives aimed at promoting ASEAN’s collective response capabilities, notably the “Initiative aimed at “establish a framework for cooperation to strengthen ASEAN’s joint response to the situation in the Middle East and future crises.”
Honor guards perform the ASEAN flag-raising ceremony on August 8, 2025. (Photo: An Dang/VNA)
Vietnam also proposed and hosted the ASEAN Future Forum to complement the official forums and mechanisms of the Association, thereby creating opportunities for large-scale exchange of ideas and initiatives on regional cooperation, contributing to building a resilient and sustainable ASEAN community for the future.
Following two successful editions in Hanoi (in April 2024 and February 2025), the ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) has gradually become a model of a truly ASEAN forum, for ASEAN, thus affirming Vietnam’s leading role in defining the vision strategy of the region.
Along with efforts to promote intra-bloc and regional ties, Vietnam has also played an effective bridging role in expanding ASEAN’s external relations with countries outside the region such as China, India, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the New Zealand.
According to ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, Vietnam has been an important and constructive member for more than 30 years, making remarkable contributions in the three pillars: political and security, economic and socio-cultural. As part of the implementation of ASEAN Vision 2045, Vietnam’s role is expected to continue to increase.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung’s participation in the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines on May 7-8, 2026, once again demonstrates Vietnam’s commitment to making proactive, positive and responsible contributions to ASEAN.
This conference is being held as ASEAN enters a new phase of development, after ten years of community building (2015-2025), and focuses on the full implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and Strategic Plans. facing many challenges, including maintaining its central role, promoting cooperation and solving regional problems, mobilizing resources and improving the effectiveness of collective and efficient responses to external shocks and changes.
The 48th ASEAN Summit will be held in Cebu, Philippines on May 7-8, 2026. (Source: Daily Tribune)
As Chair of ASEAN in 2026, under the theme “Together we build our future”, the Philippines set out three main directions for ASEAN cooperation in 2026: strengthening key elements for peace and security; Expand prosperity corridors; and promote the empowerment of populations.
The 48th ASEAN Summit, the first summit held under the Philippine ASEAN Chairmanship, was an important opportunity for leaders to share comprehensive assessments of the global and regional situation, agree on strategic directions and agree on measures to strengthen ASEAN cooperation to address the challenges.
Ambassador Ton Thi Ngoc Huong, Head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to ASEAN, said the 48th ASEAN Summit should focus on three main priorities:
First, the leaders will discuss ASEAN’s unified approach to recent developments in the Middle East and their implications for the region. Energy price shocks, risks of supply chain disruptions and volatility in key shipping lanes require strengthened ASEAN coordination to ensure energy security, food security and continuity of critical supply chains.
Furthermore, the protection and support of ASEAN citizens living, working and studying in the Middle East is also a top priority. ASEAN has proactively addressed these issues in recent special ministerial meetings (two foreign ministers’ meetings on March 13 and April 13, the special ASEAN energy ministers’ meeting on April 27 and the special meeting of the ASEAN Economic Community Council (AECC) on April 30), thus testifying to the responsiveness of the bloc.
Secondly, this summit will discuss directions to promote the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. 2026 is the first pivotal year for the realization of this vision, and the leaders will discuss measures to strengthen the environment of peace and stability, to enforce international law and common standards of conduct in order to guarantee a space for sustainable development for the region.
Economically, ASEAN will continue to promote deeper intra-bloc integration, including modernizing the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), accelerating negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Agreement (DEFA) to support digital transformation, and by developing cooperation with its partners within the framework of free trade agreements and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The use of new growth engines such as the green economy, digital economy, innovation and artificial intelligence (AI) should enable ASEAN to stand out in increasingly fierce geo-economic competition.
Third, the conference will comprehensively review the international and regional situation, including the situation in the South China Sea, policy adjustments of major partners and new challenges in cyber security, technology security and energy transition; thereby helping to promote the common voice and central role of ASEAN through respect for the rule of law, support for multilateralism, deepening relations with partners, contributing to maintaining a peaceful, stable and favorable environment for development, and strengthening ASEAN’s position and role in the region and the world.
ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn answers questions from the press. (Photo: Minh Thai/VNA)
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said new developments facing the world, including the complex and volatile situation in the Middle East, are impacting many sectors. He emphasized that one of the most pressing problems today is the risk of energy crisis and, therefore, this summit will be dedicated to energy issues and related areas.
On overall direction, the ASEAN Secretary-General said the conference’s priorities would be focused on strengthening ASEAN’s coordinated action, both regionally and nationally, to effectively respond to the increasing volatility and multidimensional challenges.
According to Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, energy security is closely linked to food security, an issue of paramount importance. Recent events have demonstrated that rising energy prices lead to an increase in agricultural production costs and food prices; therefore, ASEAN will prioritize discussions on solutions to ensure supply, stabilize prices and maintain access to food for the region’s population.
In addition, the Secretary-General indicated that this conference would also address the issue of protection of citizens and migrant workers. The aim is to adapt to the unstable situation in the Middle East, where many ASEAN nationals live and work. Member States would strengthen their coordination in terms of consular assistance, protection of the rights and security of citizens, and the establishment of cooperation mechanisms allowing rapid intervention in the event of an emergency.
Regarding cooperation among ASEAN member states to address challenges such as energy and food security, the Secretary-General said ASEAN implements a holistic approach, harmoniously combining short and long-term solutions.
In the energy sector, leaders encouraged the modernization of the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), while accelerating the transition to renewable energy such as solar, wind and biomass, as well as the development of electric vehicles. Faced with the expected sharp increase in regional energy demand, which could increase by 2.6 times by 2045, Mr. Kao Kim Hourn suggested that ASEAN strengthen its cooperation through mechanisms such as the Security Agreement ASEAN Oil Company (APSA), promotes the interconnection of infrastructure, particularly intra-regional gas pipeline networks, and diversifies its sources of supply.
According to the ASEAN Secretary-General, several member states are also considering the use of nuclear energy, underscoring the need to strengthen cooperation to avoid dependence on a single source. At the same time, he stressed the importance for countries to accelerate the ratification of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Petroleum Security (APSA) in order to adapt to the evolving situation.
On food security, ASEAN plans to improve the efficiency and flexibility of food reserve mechanisms, such as the ASEAN+3 Rice Emergency Reserve Fund. Although this mechanism is already useful, it is necessary to increase its flexibility, in particular to facilitate access to reserves for countries and populations in difficulty.
Furthermore, intra-bloc cooperation and diversification of supply sources with external partners are also encouraged in order to avoid any dependence on a single supplier. The objective is to guarantee a stable supply, to control prices and to meet the needs of the population in all circumstances.
On the digital economy, the Secretary-General said ASEAN is accelerating negotiations on the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), which is expected to be finalized this year, thus throwing the foundations of an interconnected, dynamic and highly competitive digital ecosystem, helping to stimulate the region’s economic growth.
Mr. Kao Kim Hourn stressed that overall, ASEAN’s approach aims to strengthen self-reliance, consolidate intra-bloc ties and improve adaptability to global changes. He stressed that the ability to respond independently is essential to ASEAN’s future sustainable development.
Assessing Vietnam’s role and contributions to ASEAN in recent years and in the future, the Secretary-General said Vietnam has made and continues to make important contributions to ASEAN in many aspects, ranging from maintaining peace and stability to promote regional integration and build the ASEAN Community.
He praised the growth dynamics of the Vietnamese economy as well as the efforts made by Vietnam in recent times, and expressed hope that Vietnam would continue to play this positive role.
In the context of the start of ASEAN’s implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, the Secretary-General noted that Vietnam’s role is becoming increasingly important in defining the region’s long-term development directions.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung flies to Cebu, Philippines to attend the 48th ASEAN Summit. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)
As Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung attends this ASEAN summit for the first time, Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said Vietnam’s new leadership continues to demonstrate stability and strategic vision, creating an important basis for further contribution to common ASEAN processes.
Vietnam is expected to continue to make positive contributions in the three pillars: the ASEAN Political and Security Community, the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, while promoting regional connectivity through infrastructure projects and economic ties.
Furthermore, Vietnam’s role in mechanisms such as the ASEAN Integration Initiative (IAI) demonstrates its concrete contribution to narrowing development gaps and strengthening cohesion within ASEAN. Based on this observation, the Secretary General said he was convinced that Vietnam will continue to be an important, responsible and effective member, contributing to the overall development of ASEAN.
According to Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang, the participation of Prime Minister Le Minh Hung testifies to the continuation and coherence of Vietnamese foreign policy, based on independence, autonomy, strengthening its independence, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, as well as multilateralism and the diversification of its external relations, in accordance with the spirit of the 14th National Congress of the Party. It also confirms that ASEAN remains a major strategic priority of Vietnamese foreign policy. It was also a clear message of Vietnam’s commitment to building the ASEAN Community, a commitment that translates into a proactive, positive and responsible approach, and a concrete and effective contribution to the common work of the Association.
The main objective of this working visit is to work with ASEAN countries to strengthen the environment of peace and stability; maintain solidarity and the central role of ASEAN; increase the capacity to respond to new challenges; thus creating favorable conditions for the sustainable development of the region and each member state, while promoting bilateral relations between Vietnam and ASEAN countries.
At the conference, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung is expected to deliver important speeches, conveying the foreign policy message of the 14th Party Congress and Vietnam’s views on ASEAN priorities, and formulating concrete proposals to strengthen the process of building the ASEAN Community.
With this in mind, it is expected that during the Conference, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung will deliver important speeches, conveying the foreign policy message of the 14th Party Congress and Vietnam’s views on ASEAN priorities, formulating concrete proposals to strengthen the process of building the ASEAN Community. ASEAN, contributing to strengthening ASEAN’s resilience and capacity to respond to changes, including the impacts of the situation in the Middle East, and exchanging views on regional and international issues of common interest.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister will also meet leaders of other countries to consolidate friendly relations, strengthen political trust and promote concrete and effective cooperation. These will also be his first direct meetings with ASEAN leaders in his new role, thus helping to inject positive momentum into bilateral relations and community cohesion.
Ambassador Ton Thi Ngoc Huong, head of Vietnam’s permanent mission to ASEAN, said the Prime Minister’s presence in Cebu (Philippines) testifies to Vietnam’s determination to faithfully apply the guidelines of its foreign policy from the 14th century. National Congress of the Vietnamese Communist Party: independence, autonomy, internal strength, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralism and diversification of external relations. In this context, ASEAN remains a major strategic priority for Vietnam, an area inseparable from its security and development.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said that with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung’s first participation in the ASEAN summit as head of government, Vietnam’s new leadership continues to demonstrate stability and strategic vision, laying the foundation for broader contribution to overall progress of the region.
From a partner’s perspective, New Zealand Ambassador to ASEAN Joanna Anderson praised Vietnam’s flexible coordination role, particularly on energy security and economic issues. For his part, Indonesia’s Ambassador to ASEAN, Derry Aman, stressed that Vietnam is a unifying factor, demonstrating constant and firm commitment to the fundamental principles of ASEAN. These assessments reflect international recognition of the increasingly proactive and significant role played by Vietnam within ASEAN.
It is evident that Vietnam’s role within ASEAN is evolving towards a deeper and proactive orientation. The combination of long-term strategic thinking and concrete and substantial actions allows Vietnam to make a lasting mark on the region’s development process.
In the context of a dynamic integration process, Vietnam’s journey within ASEAN is not limited to adaptation, but is moving towards a phase of co-creation, helping to shape a coherent, resilient and forward-looking ASEAN.
(Vietnam+)
Source : https://www.vietnamplus.vn/asean-tiep-tuc-la-uu-tien-chien-luoc-hang-dau-trong-tong-the-chinh-sach-doi-ngoai-cua-viet-nam-post1108987.vnp
