New book launched to mark Vietnam’s 25 years of ASEAN membership

A new book has been launched by the ASEAN 2020 National Committee to mark 25 years of Vietnam’s official membership in ASEAN (July 28, 1995-2020).

The cover of the new book entitle “25 years of Vietnam joining ASEAN from the perspective of the insiders". (Photo: NDO/Trung Hung)
The cover of the new book entitle “25 years of Vietnam joining ASEAN from the perspective of the insiders". (Photo: NDO/Trung Hung)

>>> Vietnam’s 25 years of ASEAN membership: Joining hands for a cohesive and responsive community

The launch ceremony was held in Hanoi on Tuesday afternoon (Jul 28) by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House, as part of various activities to celebrate 53 years since the founding of ASEAN and 25 years since Vietnam joined the bloc.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said that 25 years ago to this day, Vietnam officially joined ASEAN, marking one of the most important milestones in the country’s foreign relations since the 1945 August Revolution, as well as a historical step in Vietnam-ASEAN relations.

What’s also special is this year Vietnam celebrates both the founding of ASEAN as well as 25 years since its own joining of ASEAN while Vietnam assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship role, making the anniversary even more meaningful, Deputy PM Minh said.

He also emphasised that within the framework of the ASEAN Chairmanship 2020, while helping the public have a closer look into a quarter century since Vietnam joined ASEAN, the ASEAN 2020 National Committee has compiled and today launched a book entitled "25 Nam Viet Nam Tham Gia ASEAN Qua Goc Nhin Cua Nguoi Trong Cuoc” (25 years of Vietnam joining ASEAN from the perspective of the insiders).

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh speaks at the book launch ceremony. (Photo: NDO/Trung Hung)

Published by the Su That National Political Publishing House, the 250-page book gathers articles by senior leaders and former leaders of the Government of Vietnam and ASEAN member countries, as well as prestigious experts, scholars and researchers on ASEAN, in addition to those who have directly contributed to Vietnam's accession and operation in ASEAN over the last quarter century.

Through the book, readers are expected to understand more about the 25-year process of Vietnam joining the ASEAN with both its achievements and difficulties, as well as regarding Vietnam's foreign policy and the international community’s evaluation of Vietnam's contribution to ASEAN's success.

It also offers suggestions regarding the future direction of ASEAN, as well as an orientation in joining ASEAN’s activities for Vietnam in the near future.

Thanking authors both at home and abroad for contributing to the book’s issuance, Minh said that there have been many interesting stories and useful lessons from ASEAN integration over the past 25 years, so the FM called on readers, researchers and experts on ASEAN to make comments to further improve the book in its next publication in order to facilitate Vietnam's journey within ASEAN.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh presents the book to former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam. (Photo: NDO/Trung Hung)

After the Vietnamese version, an English version of the book is expected to be launched on the occasion of the 37th ASEAN Summit scheduled at year-end, in order to bring the story of 25 years of Vietnam joining the ASEAN to a wider public, especially international readers.

Deputy PM Minh also expressed his wish that the book would contribute to the overall success of Vietnam's 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (standing) speaks at a seminar on the theme of Vietnam’s 25 years of ASEAN membership. (Photo: NDO/Trung Hung)

Followed the book launch ceremony, Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh, who is also the chairman of the National ASEAN 2020 Committee, chaired a seminar on the theme of 25 years since Vietnam joined ASEAN.

Participants looked back on the lessons learnt after the 25 years of Vietnam’s ASEAN membership, assessing the results achieved and discussing what needs to improve in the future.