Vietnam’s 25 years of ASEAN membership
An active, proactive and responsible member
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaking at the opening ceremony of the 36th ASEAN Summit (Photo: VGP)
On July 28, 1995, Vietnam officially joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), marking an important milestone in Vietnam’s regional and world integration process, as well as in the ASEAN’s development. Over the past 25 years, Vietnam has always promoted its role as a responsible, active, and creative member and made great contributions to the Association.
A strategic and prudent decision
On July 28, 1995, Vietnam officially joined ASEAN, becoming the seventh member of the Association. The decision to join ASEAN was a prudent and wise strategic step by the Party and State, marking an important milestone in the country’s international integration process. ASEAN was one of the first breakthroughs for Vietnam in order to implement the programme of multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations set out at the 7th National Party Congress.
The process of Vietnam’s participation in ASEAN has always been associated with the great guidelines on foreign affairs and international integration from the Party and State. The 6th National Party Congress affirmed that Vietnam wants and is willing to work with countries in the region to negotiate and resolve issues in Southeast Asia, establish peaceful coexistence and build Southeast Asia into a region of peace, stability and cooperation. The 10th National Party Congress emphasised that Vietnam would promote comprehensive and effective cooperation with ASEAN and Asian-Pacific countries.
At the 11th National Party Congress, the country’s new position and power helped Vietnam confidently set the goal of proactively, positively and responsibly working with countries in order to build a strong ASEAN Community, strengthening relations with other partners; maintaining and strengthening the important role of ASEAN in the cooperation frameworks in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as working with ASEAN countries to build Southeast Asia into a peaceful and stable region of prosperity, cooperation and development. It can be said that through various periods, Vietnam has always moved side by side with ASEAN. It has also considered foundations for the process of renewing Vietnam’s foreign thinking.
Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam signs the declaration on the admission of Vietnam into ASEAN (Photo: VNA)
The Vietnamese flag flying at the International Convention Centre in Brunei (Photo: VNA)
Looking back at the domestic and international context in the early 1990s, the determination and bravery of the Party and State leaders has also been shown as they had to overcome numerous difficulties to make the decision on joining ASEAN.
It can be said that the past 25 years have witnessed dramatic changes in both ASEAN and Vietnam. ASEAN is the community of developing, independent and united nations with a population of about 650 million people, ranked third in the world, a dynamic developing economy with a GDP scale of US$2.95 trillion in 2018, ranked fifth in the world. ASEAN has signed free trade agreements with seven leading partners in the world, firmly positioning itself as the centre of regional structures, receiving the respect and cooperation of powers and partners around the globe.
Meanwhile, Vietnam, from a backward economy, has become a middle-income country with a dynamic market economy and is now actively integrating deeply into the region and the world. Vietnam is now an active and responsible member, joining hands with other ASEAN member countries to deal with emerging challenges, as well as contributing to addressing challenges and strategic issues related to ASEAN’s peace, development and prosperity.
Successful experiences with ASEAN have created the momentum for Vietnam to firmly expand and enhance the country’s international integration process with the accession to APEC, ASEM, and WTO and the successfully assumption of the membership of many important bodies of the United Nations such as the UN Security Council, the UN Human Rights Council, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, etc, thereby contributing to promoting the position of ASEAN as well as Vietnam’s in the region and the world.
Vietnam formally joins ASEAN
Marking the country’s regional integration, promoting regional linkage and cooperation
Hanoi Plan of Action adopted at 6th ASEAN Summit
Helping to strengthen solidarity, promote cooperation, set out the bloc’s development course in order to realise the ASEAN Vision 2020
Admission of Cambodia to ASEAN
Realising the dream of an ASEAN comprising all ten Southeast Asian nations
Chair of ASEAN Standing Committee, ASEAN Regional Forum
Successfully hosting and organising numerous meetings of ASEAN and between ASEAN and its partners
ASEAN Chair with the theme “Towards the ASEAN Community: from Vision to Action”
Introducing initiatives such as expanding the membership of the East Asia Summit (EAS), promoting the admission of Russia and the US to the EAS and organising the first ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+)
ASEAN Chair with the theme “Cohesive and Responsive”
Leading ASEAN to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic effectively, hosting the 36th ASEAN Summit and other meetings with many positive outcomes, helping to maintain ASEAN cooperation, clearly demonstrating the role of the ASEAN Chair
Vietnam in ASEAN
small resources, major contributions
Compared to many ASEAN member countries, Vietnam still lags behind in its level of development. However, Vietnam can be proud of its increasingly important contribution over the past 25 years.
Firstly, as a middle-class country in the region, with the third largest population and the fourth largest area in Southeast Asia, Vietnam’s participation in ASEAN has helped the organisation grow in both strength and scope, helping ASEAN become a strong organisation, opening a new era of peace, stability, cooperation and development.
Immediately after joining ASEAN, Vietnam actively promoted ASEAN to admit Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar despite facing many obstacles. Vietnam has become a bridge connecting mainland with island Southeast Asia, so that in 1999, the dream of an ASEAN family of 10 member countries became a reality. Leaving behind a past of confrontation and suspicion, Vietnam together with ASEAN have proved that the future of the region will be better shaped by the path of integration, dialogue and cooperation.
Secondly, Vietnam has actively participated and contributed to the development of ASEAN’s major development directions and policies, including the ASEAN Charter, the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC), and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) and so on.
ASEAN leaders sign a declaration on the establishment of the ASEAN Community. (Photo: VNA)
Thirdly, Vietnam has contributed positively and responsibly to the implementation of ASEAN’s common decisions. The country has participated in the full and intensive implementation of cooperative activities in the fields of politics - security, culture - society and economy, as well as presiding over many significant events. Vietnam is one of the countries with a high rate of implementation of ASEAN’s economic integration programmes and measures. Only three years after joining ASEAN, Vietnam successfully organised the 6th ASEAN Summit in Hanoi (December, 1998); and then successfully fulfilled the role of ASEAN Chair in 2010, creating an important premise for the country’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020.
In addition, Vietnam has also contributed to the formation, strengthening and development of institutions established and led by ASEAN, such as the decision to expand the East Asia Summit (EAS) to admit the US and Russia, the organisation of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) for the first time, and advocating to represent ASEAN at the G20 Summit in the Republic of Korea and Canada.
Vietnam took over the ASEAN Chairmanship from Thailand at the closing ceremony of the 35th ASEAN Summit and related Summits in Bangkok. (Photo: VGP)
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that, in a quarter of a century as part of ASEAN, Vietnam left many important imprints. In 2020, Vietnam has been honoured to undertake many major responsibilities at both regional and international levels, including the role of ASEAN Chair. This is an opportunity for Vietnam to contribute in a more substantial manner to the development of the ASEAN Community with harmony, resilience, creativity, cohesion, identity, responsibility and a high level of adaptability.
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh stated that for Vietnam, this day 25 years ago is also an important milestone marking the country’s very important progress in its regional and international integration. It has integrated more confidently, proactively and actively ever since, and continuously promoted its role as a reliable partner and a responsible member of the ASEAN Community in particular and the international community in general.
Foreign diplomats on Vietnam's role in ASEAN
Sengphet Houngboungnuang
Lao Ambassador to Vietnam
Over the past 25 years, Vietnam has actively contributed to the process of building the ASEAN Community on three pillars, helping ASEAN gradually grow. The ASEAN Community was officially established on December 31, 2015, setting a historic milestone in the Association's development process. Throughout recent times, Vietnam has always actively promoted economic cooperation in ASEAN. Vietnam has made consistent efforts to narrow differences in economic development among ASEAN countries, using initiatives to support member countries to join after developing their infrastructure, communications, transport and technology, among others.
This year, Vietnam took on the important roles of Chair of ASEAN 2020 and as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure. I believe that Vietnam will continue to play an important role in promoting the process of cooperation and development in ASEAN, as well as the cooperation between ASEAN and other partners, in order to preserve and promote peace, stability, prosperity in the region and around the world.
Ibnu Hadi
Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam
Since its accession, Vietnam has made important contributions to the development of ASEAN, with initiatives to promote cooperation in many areas. In 1998, the 6th ASEAN Summit which was held in Hanoi adopted the Hanoi Action Programme, towards the implementation of the ASEAN Vision 2020. In 2010, as the ASEAN Chair, Vietnam organised the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) for the first time. This year, at the 36th ASEAN Summit, besides the key issues, Vietnam organized the ASEAN Leader’s Special Session on Women’s Empowerment in the Digital Age.
2020 is a challenging year for ASEAN because of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the ASEAN Chair, Vietnam has affirmed its leading role in efforts to respond to the pandemic. Vietnam issued a statement on ASEAN’s joint response to the outbreak of the acute respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19); organised the Special ASEAN Summit and the Special ASEAN+3 Summit on COVID-19. Vietnam's proposals such as the establishment of the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, the region’s medical supplies and storage have been supported by ASEAN countries. In addition, Vietnam has also donated medical supplies, supporting many countries with their COVID-19 pandemic efforts, including Indonesia. The Government of Indonesia highly appreciates Vietnam's contributions in the current context.
Park Nok-wan
Republic of Korea Ambassador to Vietnam
In order to diversify diplomatic and economic partners, the Government has strongly promoted the New Southern Policy initiated by President Moon Jae-in since 2017. This policy aims to strengthen the relations of the Rok with ASEAN member countries in many fields. To accomplish this goal, the RoK wishes to become a reliable and sustainable partner in ASEAN. At the 30th Anniversary Summit of ASEAN-Korea Dialogue Relations held in Busan in November 2019, the two sides assessed the development of the partnership over the past 30 years and put forward orientations for relations in the next 30 years through the adoption of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Joint Vision Statement for Peace, Prosperity and Partnership.
The Government of the RoK hopes that Vietnam will promote its role as the ASEAN Chair 2020 in a proactive and constructive manner, under the theme of “Cohesive and Responsive”, contributing to the building of a strong and cohesive ASEAN Community in 2025 as well as further strengthening relations between ASEAN and the RoK. The international community is currently facing unprecedented health and economic challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Vietnam has successfully responded to the epidemic and is expected to play a leading role in promoting ASEAN unity and cooperation in the current context.