The senior leaders of both countries agreed to upgrade their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, further deepening the 70-year-old traditional friendship between Vietnam and Indonesia. This marks the beginning of a new chapter of cooperation with a greater scope, comprehensiveness, and substance, aiming for a sustainable future for both nations.
The symphony of hope
The visit to Indonesia by General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, along with the high-ranking delegation of Vietnam, holds special significance as this year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN. This is also General Secretary To Lam’s first visit to Indonesia and the ASEAN Secretariat.
Over the past 70 years, Vietnam and Indonesia have maintained regular and flexible exchanges, achieving significant cooperation milestones, particularly in the economic sector. Indonesia is currently Vietnam’s second-largest trading partner, while Vietnam ranks as Indonesia’s fourth-largest trading partner within ASEAN. In 2024, bilateral trade turnover reached 16.7 billion USD, an increase of 21.6% compared to 2023.
The two countries have set a target of reaching 18 billion USD in trade turnover by 2028. Currently, Indonesia has 123 active investment projects in Vietnam, with total cumulative registered capital of 682 million USD. Meanwhile, Vietnamese businesses have been increasingly investing in Indonesia. For example, VinFast has been expanding its activities in electric vehicle production, electric taxi services, and the development of charging stations. Dien May Xanh has opened more than 100 stores, while Saigon Café owns a chain of 40 restaurants and aims to expand to 200 restaurants in Indonesia within the next 2-3 years. These achievements reflect the deepening relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia.
During the delegation’s stay in Jakarta, General Secretary To Lam met with leaders of major Indonesian corporations and businesses and participated in a high-level business forum themed "Vietnam and Indonesia: Partnership for Progress and Prosperity". The general atmosphere of these meetings and discussions was one of pride in the investment and trade cooperation between the two countries as well as optimism about future opportunities in strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), the digital economy, green energy, and electric vehicles.
In discussions with business leaders, General Secretary To Lam consistently affirmed that there remains significant potential for cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia, driven by the internal strengths of each country. He expressed his hope that Indonesian businesses would continue striving to become one of the largest investors in Vietnam, reflecting the strong relationship between the two nations.
The General Secretary encouraged investors from both countries to explore and expand their investments in key sectors such as science, technology, innovation, and research and development. He highlighted industries with high potential for growth and investment attraction, including the chip and semiconductor industry, AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), new and renewable energy, financial technology and financial centres, as well as biotechnology and healthcare. These are fields in which both Vietnam and Indonesia have significant opportunities for development and mutual collaboration.
In practice, businesses have confidence in the success of cooperation and investment because both Vietnam and Indonesia possess real potential, internal strengths, and, most importantly, shared goals. These goals include overcoming difficulties, creating favourable conditions for long-term business operations, promoting economic development, striving for high growth rates in the coming years, and prioritising human well-being to improve people's quality of life.
One interesting point that General Secretary To Lam frequently mentioned during his visit to Indonesia was that, like Vietnam, Indonesia has set ambitious development goals. The country aims for an annual growth rate of 8% and aspires to become a developed nation by 2045, marking its 100th anniversary of independence (August 17, 1945 – August 17, 2045). During their talks, President Prabowo Subianto emphasised that the two nations share many historical similarities and common values, including independence, sovereignty, and the pursuit of prosperity and happiness for their people. Both countries also share a vision of becoming advanced, high-income nations by 2045. Indonesia regards Vietnam as a key regional partner and is eager to further strengthen bilateral relations.
The close cooperation and sincere exchanges on shared goals created a warm and friendly atmosphere during the visit. General Secretary To Lam shared his impression that from the moment he set foot in the beautiful "land of a thousand islands", he was greeted by the bright eyes and warm and affectionate smiles of the Indonesian people. It felt as if he were visiting the home of a close brother, with many cultural similarities and a deep sense of kinship.
At the concert celebrating the 70th anniversary of Vietnam-Indonesia diplomatic relations, Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed his joy at the flourishing relationship between the two countries. With many significant achievements, the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia will continue to bear fruit, fulfilling the aspirations of both nations. Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon affirmed that the relationship, carefully nurtured by both countries, is a precious and enduring asset for both peoples. He likened the concert to a "symphony of hope", symbolising the shared aspirations of the two nations and inspiring future generations.
Affirming genuine and sustainable values
In his policy speech at the ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN, General Secretary To Lam shared three significant stories. The first story recalled the regional financial crisis in the late 1990s and ASEAN’s bold decisions, which underscored a profound understanding of economic interconnection, ultimately helping the region overcome the crisis.
The second story highlighted ASEAN’s decisive and timely move to accelerate the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015, five years ahead of the original schedule. This decision was made in response to the urgent need for deeper integration, allowing ASEAN to keep pace with globalisation and increasing regional cooperation. The third story reflected ASEAN’s extraordinary efforts in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic.
Faced with the unprecedented challenge of the pandemic outbreak, ASEAN mobilised its collective strength, transforming the urgent need for cooperation into a shared common interest among nations. Together, ASEAN has maintained stability, ensured the continuity of its activities, and sustained the momentum of community-building. These stories left a profound impression on the attendees of the ceremony.
Through these narratives, General Secretary To Lam stressed the valuable lessons and core values that have shaped ASEAN’s success and identity over nearly six decades. He reaffirmed that solidarity, resilience, cooperation, and "unity in diversity" remain the key factors ensuring ASEAN’s continued success in today’s rapidly changing world.
The increasing emergence of challenges with multidimensional and far-reaching impacts requires ASEAN to adopt an innovative, flexible, and dynamic approach, including in its decision-making processes. Notably, consensus and solidarity do not mean staying within a comfort zone for all parties. On the contrary, ASEAN members must dare to think, act, and take bold steps for the common good. This is the true significance and value of consensus and unity.
Vietnam has demonstrated this in practice. Over the past 30 years of international integration, ASEAN has served as the starting point and foundation for Vietnam’s deeper engagement with the region and the world. From a country once isolated and under sanctions, Vietnam today has diplomatic relations with 194 nations and is a member of more than 70 regional and global forums and organisations.
Vietnam has established comprehensive partnerships, strategic partnerships, and comprehensive strategic partnerships with 35 countries, including all ASEAN members and ASEAN’s key partners. The network of free trade agreements (FTAs) that Vietnam has signed and implemented covers more than 60 countries and economies.
Cooperation with ASEAN members and ASEAN’s network of partners has played a crucial role in ensuring a peaceful, stable, and favourable environment for Vietnam’s development and prosperity. It has also opened vast opportunities for growth and helped elevate Vietnam’s international reputation, role, and standing.
The lessons learned from ASEAN’s past successes reaffirm the truth that to go far, we must go together. Challenges and difficulties always contain or give rise to opportunities. Hardships bring nations closer, fostering collective responses to common challenges. Difficulties and challenges serve as catalysts for innovation, paving the way for breakthroughs. The current global situation presents both an opportunity and a moment for nations to embrace change and drive forward more aggressively.
General Secretary To Lam emphasised the need for determination and unity in facing challenges head-on, further strengthening cooperation, fostering innovation, and creating new and sustainable growth drivers for the ASEAN Community, its member states, and ASEAN’s partners.
This shared perspective was solidified in the joint statement between General Secretary To Lam and President Prabowo Subianto on enhancing bilateral relations. The enduring and substantive values of the Vietnam-Indonesia traditional partnership have been reaffirmed and reinforced, opening a new chapter of deeper, more comprehensive, and meaningful cooperation for a sustainable future for both nations.
