Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation successfully concluded their trip to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit and related summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

With a series of effective activities, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s working trip successfully conveyed the message of a Viet Nam that always upholds the spirit of responsibility, proactivity and creativity, joining hands with ASEAN member countries and partners to build a united, stable, self-reliant, sustainable and inclusive ASEAN Community.

PROMOTING THE ROOTS OF ASEAN’S STRATEGIC STRENGTH

On the morning of October 26, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of ASEAN countries and Timor Leste attended the Opening Ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit and related summits. At the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister of the host country Malaysia affirmed that ASEAN continues to stand firm thanks to the strong belief that respect and justice will always unite member countries; emphasising that the signing of the peace agreement by Cambodia and Thailand demonstrated the strength of trust, as well as the courage in choosing reconciliation and peace. Within the framework of the Opening Ceremony, ASEAN leaders signed the Declaration officially admitting Timor Leste as the 11th member of ASEAN.

Attending the Plenary Session and the Retreat Session of the 47th ASEAN Summit chaired by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that “inclusiveness and sustainability” are the strategic choice and requirement of ASEAN, and at the same time suggested that ASEAN strongly promote three sources of strategic strength.

Firstly, ASEAN needs to strengthen its solidarity and unity, thereby enhancing its overall strength and effectively implementing in a coordinated manner the Association’s strategies and action plans.

Secondly, ASEAN needs to promote its dynamic vitality, autonomy, self-reliance, strengthening internal linkages on the basis of proactively and urgently implementing cooperation plans combined with regular reviews and adjustments to ensure smooth operation mechanisms; increase the proportion of intra-bloc trade and investment along with expanding regional and inter-regional cooperation frameworks.

Thirdly, ASEAN needs to make efforts to create a driving force for innovation and creativity, through urgently completing new cooperation frameworks such as the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement and the ASEAN Digital Master Plan, promoting cooperation in data infrastructure development and cross-border data governance, encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation, and researching the establishment of the ASEAN Innovation Center Network.

In the context of the world and the region continuing to have many complicated and unpredictable changes, the Vietnamese PM asked ASEAN to make continuous efforts to contribute to maintaining an environment of peace, security, stability and development, considering this a top priority. Accordingly, ASEAN needs to make more efforts to maintain solidarity, unity and persevere in its principled and consistent stance on the East Sea/South China Sea issue, promote compliance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); and urge relevant parties to soon reach an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS.

ASEAN needs to continue promoting the culture of dialogue and cooperation, resolving disputes and disagreements by peaceful means on the basis of the principles of the ASEAN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and international law.

ASEAN leaders, including Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, all highlighted the importance and determination to effectively implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the approved strategic plans, towards building a united, self-reliant, dynamic ASEAN Community with people at the centre. They also agreed to continue prioritising cooperation to narrow the development gap, promote inclusive and sustainable development, accelerate digital transformation and address challenges related to climate change.

Attending the High-Level Dialogue within the framework of the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2025 (ABIS 2025), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that Viet Nam determined that rapid growth must be sustainable and inclusive— that is the consistent ideology — balancing between promoting self-reliance and deep, substantive and effective international integration. The Prime Minister suggested that ASEAN countries increase exchanges, build, harmonise and improve the quality of institutions, turning institutions into a foundation for competitiveness…

Also on October 26, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the 28th ASEAN–Japan Summit, the 22nd ASEAN–India Summit, and the 13th ASEAN–US Summit. At the 28th ASEAN–Japan Summit, the Prime Minister affirmed that after more than 50 years of established relations, ASEAN and Japan have become sincere and trustworthy partners sharing many common interests and goals for an open, inclusive, rules-based regional architecture with ASEAN at its centre. He proposed that the two sides strengthen economic connectivity towards green, inclusive, and comprehensive transformation in the digital era, accelerate the upgrading of the Free Trade Agreement, prioritise cooperation in digital economy, green economy, sustainable supply chains, and promptly finalise the Agreement on Common Air Transport.

At the 22nd ASEAN–India Summit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasised that amid rapid and complex global changes, ASEAN and India – two “strategic anchors” linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans – should promote their roles and sense of responsibility in advancing regional and inter-regional cooperation, uphold solidarity and multilateralism, and make practical contributions to peace and sustainable development.

Meanwhile, at the 13th ASEAN–US Summit, the Prime Minister appreciated the diplomatic efforts of US President Donald Trump in promoting dialogue processes and peaceful settlement of global conflicts. He proposed four major orientations to further strengthen ASEAN–US cooperation in a more dynamic, substantive, and effective manner, notably promoting economic, trade, and investment connectivity towards balanced, harmonious, and sustainable trade relations.

During his working trip, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, along with leaders of ASEAN countries and ASEAN’s partner nations, also attended the 28th ASEAN+3 Summit, the 26th ASEAN–RoK Summit, the 20th East Asia Summit (EAS), the 5th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit, and the 15th ASEAN–United Nations Summit, among others.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, together with leaders of ASEAN and partners including China, the US, Russia, India, Japan, the RoK, Australia, and New Zealand, attended the 20th East Asia Summit. In his remarks, the Prime Minister called on the EAS to take the lead in upholding the principles of international law and multilateralism, and in promoting an open, inclusive, transparent, and rules-based regional order with ASEAN at the centre. He also urged the EAS to pioneer cooperation in fostering new growth drivers, particularly in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, and green transition. In the spirit of dialogue and cooperation, the Prime Minister shared several viewpoints and proposals to help maintain peace, stability, and regional cooperation. At the conclusion of the Summit, leaders adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration marking the 20th anniversary of the EAS and EAS Leaders’ Statement on Promoting Localization in Anticipatory Action for Disaster Preparedness and Response.

Attending the 28th ASEAN+3 Summit with leaders of ASEAN, China, Japan, and the RoK, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh shared their assessment of ASEAN+3’s strategic value amid fast-evolving and complex global developments. He expressed his hope that ASEAN+3 would enhance unity, strengthen effective connectivity, and promote bold innovation to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth while effectively responding to external shocks and challenges. Accordingly, the Prime Minister proposed three orientations to strengthen ASEAN+3 cooperation in the new context, emphasising the need to enhance the quality of economic, trade, and investment cooperation, as well as to promote digital and green transformation in the region; to reinforce regional resilience and self-reliance; and to maintain solidarity and close coordination in order to preserve a peaceful, secure, and stable environment for development. At the conclusion of the summit, ASEAN+3 leaders adopted a Declaration on strengthening regional economic and financial cooperation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, together with leaders from ASEAN member states and partners Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK), and China, attended the 5th RCEP Summit. In his remarks, the Prime Minister highlighted the role of the RCEP in fostering economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region; reaffirmed that Viet Nam supports and will continue to fully and seriously implement the commitments under the RCEP Agreement; and expressed Viet Nam’s willingness to actively cooperate with other members to expand and enhance the quality of cooperation within the RCEP framework. The summit concluded successfully with the adoption of the Joint Leaders’ Statement on the RCEP Agreement, reaffirming the countries’ support for ASEAN’s central role and their commitment to promoting open, inclusive, mutually beneficial, and forward-looking regional economic integration...

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, together with ASEAN leaders and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, attended the 15th ASEAN–United Nations Summit. Addressing the meeting, the Prime Minister called on ASEAN and the United Nations to effectively implement the 2026–2030 Action Plan and proposed key cooperation priorities to further deepen their partnership. He urged both sides to promote effective multilateralism and adherence to international law, emphasising dialogue and cooperation as essential tools for the peaceful settlement and prevention of disputes; to build and renew governance systems that are adaptive to the new era; and to ensure comprehensive social welfare, with people placed at the centre of development. ASEAN leaders and the UN Secretary-General reaffirmed their commitment to supporting multilateralism, upholding international law, and promoting a rules-based international order. They also agreed to strengthen the ASEAN–UN Comprehensive Partnership in an action-oriented manner, complementing each other’s development strategies.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, together with ASEAN leaders and President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung, attended the 26th ASEAN–Republic of Korea Summit. At the meeting, the Prime Minister underscored the need for both sides to enhance coordination, respond promptly and effectively to challenges, and create a favourable environment for sustainable and inclusive development that benefits both sides while contributing positively and effectively to peace and cooperation in the region and the wider world. The Prime Minister outlined three major directions to advance the ASEAN–RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the coming period. Accordingly, he proposed that ASEAN and the RoK prioritise the strengthening of economic, trade, and investment linkages along green, digital, circular, and sustainable lines; deepen cooperation in culture, education, and people-to-people exchanges, as well as tourism development; and enhance joint contributions to peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also attended the 28th ASEAN–China Summit, the Signing Ceremony of the Upgraded ASEAN–China Free Trade Agreement 3.0, the ASEAN–New Zealand Commemorative Summit, and the 5th ASEAN–Australia Summit; held working sessions with several Vietnamese Ambassadors in the Southeast Asian region; and participated in the 2nd Annual Meeting between the Prime Ministers of Viet Nam and Singapore...

STRENGTHENING RELATIONS BETWEEN VIET NAM AND PARTNERS

On the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held numerous bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries.

During his meeting with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reaffirmed that Viet Nam attaches special importance and the highest priority to its relationship with Laos, and always strives to nurture and further develop the Viet Nam–Laos relations in a sustainable and increasingly substantive manner. The two Prime Ministers assessed that, in recent years, the implementation of various aspects of bilateral cooperation had been carried out effectively. Many key projects have been completed, serving as highlights in the relationship between the two countries — notably the inauguration of Wharf No. 3 at Vung Ang Port, the development of the national population database and the citizen ID card system, as well as preparations for the inauguration of the Huu Nghi (Friendship) Hospital and the Friendship Park.

During his meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highly valued the latest progress in peacefully resolving the Cambodia–Thailand situation. The two sides agreed to strengthen practical and effective local-level connectivity; promote transport and logistics infrastructure links between the two countries, particularly the Ho Chi Minh City–Moc Bai–Bavet–Phnom Penh expressway project; develop border gates and trade infrastructure; and continue negotiations to settle remaining issues related to border demarcation and marker planting in the spirit of solidarity and friendship, following the motto of “good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability.”

A notable highlight of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s participation in the 47th ASEAN Summit and related meetings was his brief meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the ASEAN–US Summit. Though short, the meeting reflected mutual understanding and respect, and reaffirmed both sides’ shared commitment to further advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Viet Nam and the US in a strong, substantive, and effective manner.

At the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed an invitation from General Secretary To Lam and other senior Vietnamese leaders for President Donald Trump to visit Viet Nam. President Trump gladly accepted, expressing his strong desire and intention to arrange a visit in the near future.

Within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development between Viet Nam and the US, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also proposed that the US arrange a visit by General Secretary To Lam to the United States. In response, President Trump asked that Viet Nam inform the US side soon and expressed his wish for the Vietnamese Prime Minister to visit the US at a mutually convenient time. .

During their meeting, both leaders agreed to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Viet Nam and the US in a practical and effective manner, including through the early signing of a reciprocal trade agreement that ensures fairness and balance, and encourages greater US investment in Viet Nam. Responding positively to PM Pham Minh Chinh’s proposals, President Trump acknowledged Viet Nam’s request for recognition as a market economy and its removal from the D1 and D3 strategic export control lists. He instructed senior US officials, including the Secretary of the Treasury and the US Trade Representative who are present at the Summit, to respond promptly to these issues.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed appreciation for President Donald Trump’s role in promoting the peaceful resolution of recent global conflicts.

Regarding Viet Nam–US relations, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien held a bilateral meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss implementing the Viet Nam–US Joint Statement on the framework for a fair and reciprocal trade agreement. He also met with US Deputy Secretary of State Jacob Helberg to discuss trade relations, potential cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital technology, and supply chain partnerships, as well as the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two sides in these areas.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a working breakfast with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. The three leaders emphasised that, amid the current regional and global context, preserving and promoting the traditional solidarity and close bonds among Viet Nam, Cambodia and Laos have become more essential than ever. They agreed to maintain regular exchanges of visits and trilateral meetings; strengthen cooperation in digital economy and digital government; enhance coordination in combating cross-border crimes; protect the shared border of peace, friendship, stability and development; accelerate border demarcation and marker planting; and properly address arising issues.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets Chinese Premier Li Qiang. During his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed that both sides continue to maintain high-level exchanges to consolidate political trust; effectively use existing coordination and strategic dialogue mechanisms; and elevate defence and security cooperation as a key pillar of the relationship. He also called for giving the highest priority to railway cooperation and discussed measures to promote healthy and balanced economic and trade relations between the two countries. Premier Li Qiang affirmed that the State Council of China is ready to work closely with the Vietnamese Government to materialise the shared understandings reached between the top leaders of the two Parties and the two countries, strengthen high-level strategic exchanges, and advance substantive cooperation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also held meetings with leaders of various countries and international organisations, including ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn; Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim; Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney; Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; World Bank Vice President Carlos Felipe Jaramillo; FIFA President Gianni Infantino; Republic of Korea President Lee Jae Myung; Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto; New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon; European Council President António Costa; IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva; Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese; and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk.

During these meetings, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the foreign leaders expressed delight at the positive development of cooperative and friendly relations between Viet Nam and their respective countries and organisations. They agreed that Viet Nam and its partners will continue to work together in pursuing shared development goals.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s participation in the 47th ASEAN Summit and related high-level meetings in Malaysia, together with the Vietnamese high-level delegation, was a resounding success. The visit underscored Vietnam’s pioneering role and responsible contributions within ASEAN, as well as its active engagement and efforts toward the overall success of this year’s summits.
Furthermore, the trip has contributed significantly to deepening and enhancing the effectiveness of relations between Viet Nam and other ASEAN member states, as well as between ASEAN and its dialogue partners.