Vietnam is increasingly becoming a 'bright star' of the ASEAN region.

Vietnam is a strong supporter of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and is increasingly becoming a 'bright star' of the bloc. That is the assessment of Dr. Le Thu Huong, Chairwoman of the Advisory Board of the Vietnam-Australia Policy Institute, in an interview with a VNA reporter in Australia on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to ASEAN (July 28, 1995 - July 28, 2025).

Dr. Le Thu Huong assessed that Vietnam continues to contribute to promoting the importance and central role of ASEAN through maintaining good traditions, as well as the ability to adapt to new changes in the world situation. Vietnam has repeatedly demonstrated innovation, inclusiveness and credibility in handling ASEAN issues, from promoting the expansion of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting to include dialogue partners (ADMM+) to its charismatic chairmanships, including the historic chairmanship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Le Thu Huong commented that the ASEAN community provides an excellent platform for cooperation in many aspects, including economic integration. The ASEAN Economic Community is indeed essential in an era of increasing trade barriers, higher tariffs and challenges to free and open trade. ASEAN economies have a solid foundation to promote a common market, increase intra-regional trade to minimize any restrictions on access to other markets and commit to implementing previously signed multilateral trade agreements.

The Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Vietnam-Australia Policy Institute said that the attraction of ASEAN is that any member country can support any agenda and lead it together with the group. Vietnam has shown special interest and sensitivity in a number of important areas, from maritime security, renewable energy to technology development. Vietnam can take on a leadership role in areas of special interest and has the diplomatic position to do so.

According to Dr. Le Thu Huong, collective initiative and effectiveness are the keys to maintaining a strong position. Therefore, ASEAN should demonstrate leadership in regional priorities, whether trade, peace and security or climate change, thereby affirming the bloc’s central role. In addition, ASEAN member countries also need to cooperate multilaterally to address challenges, bringing practical results to the region.

Looking ahead, Dr. Le Thu Huong predicts that Vietnam’s role will continue to be strong, as long as ASEAN remains important to Vietnam’s foreign policy. As a developing economy with an increasingly high diplomatic profile, Vietnam is likely to continue to play a core role among ASEAN’s key members.

According to baotintuc.vn

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-tri-xa-hoi/theo-dong-thoi-su/viet-nam-ngay-cang-tro-thanh-ngoi-sao-sang-cua-khu-vuc-asean-156099.html