General Secretary To Lam and his spouse will pay a state visit to Indonesia, make an official visit to the ASEAN Secretariat, and officially visit Singapore from March 9 to 13.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong emphasized that this will be the first visit by a Vietnamese General Secretary to Indonesia in nearly eight years (since August 2017) and to Singapore in almost 13 years (since September 2012).

Notably, it will be the first-ever visit by a Vietnamese General Secretary to the ASEAN Secretariat, making it a historic milestone.

A visit of strategic significance

This visit comes as Vietnam marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Indonesia and the 30th anniversary of its ASEAN membership, a pivotal moment in the nation’s regional and international integration.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong stated, “This visit demonstrates Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, and development. It highlights our commitment to multilateralism and strengthening ties with neighboring countries, particularly key partners like Indonesia and Singapore.”

He expressed confidence that the visit would lay the groundwork for deeper cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia, Singapore, and ASEAN as a whole.

Beyond reinforcing political trust and expanding existing areas of cooperation, the visit is expected to create momentum for new collaborations in high-potential fields such as science and technology, digital economy, green economy, and innovation. The goal is to position these relationships as models of international cooperation.

Vietnam’s growing ties with Indonesia and Singapore

Indonesia and Singapore are among Vietnam’s most significant regional partners.

Indonesia was the first Southeast Asian nation to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1955. The strong traditional friendship, cultivated by President Ho Chi Minh and President Sukarno, has been nurtured over generations.

Seventy years later, particularly since the establishment of the Vietnam-Indonesia Strategic Partnership in 2013, bilateral cooperation has expanded across multiple sectors. The two countries share strategic interests on regional and global issues, particularly within ASEAN and concerning the South China Sea.

Economically, Indonesia is Vietnam’s second-largest trading partner in ASEAN, while Vietnam ranks fourth for Indonesia. Bilateral trade has quadrupled over the past decade, reaching $16.7 billion in 2024.

Vietnam and Indonesia have also strengthened their defense and security ties through dialogues, exchanges, and joint training programs. Cooperation in culture, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges continues to be a priority.

Vietnam-Singapore relations: A dynamic partnership

Vietnam and Singapore have enjoyed robust diplomatic relations for over 50 years (since 1973) and a decade of strategic partnership (since 2013). Their ties have grown in both breadth and depth, underpinned by strong political trust.

Singapore is a leading economic hub in the region and one of Vietnam’s most significant trade and investment partners. It ranks as the largest ASEAN investor and the second-largest global investor in Vietnam.

A key symbol of economic cooperation is the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) initiative. Currently, there are 18 VSIP parks across 13 provinces in Vietnam, attracting over $18.7 billion in investment and creating more than 300,000 jobs.

Vietnam has also invested in 153 projects in Singapore, with a total registered capital exceeding $690 million. Bilateral trade in 2024 is estimated at $10.3 billion.

Particularly promising is the Green Economy-Digital Economy Partnership, which is unlocking new cooperation opportunities between the two nations.

In security and defense, Vietnam and Singapore have effectively collaborated on cybersecurity and transnational crime prevention. Both nations share common positions on regional and global issues, advocating for a rules-based international order.

“These achievements have significantly contributed to the development of both countries, strengthening the Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Partnership in a practical and effective manner,” Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong emphasized.

Vietnam’s role in ASEAN: 30 years of contributions

Since joining ASEAN in 1995, Vietnam has played an active role in fostering regional unity and cooperation. Over the past three decades, Vietnam has not only integrated into ASEAN but has also emerged as a key contributor to its development.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong reflected, “We take pride in Vietnam’s contributions, which have been closely tied to ASEAN’s meaningful progress. Vietnam has helped build a more cohesive, resilient, and outward-looking ASEAN Community.”

Vietnam has consistently prioritized ASEAN unity and solidarity. The region’s progress over the past six decades serves as a testament to the strength of unity. “In times of global uncertainty, ASEAN’s spirit of cooperation and mutual support shines even brighter, enabling the region to overcome challenges together,” he concluded.

General Secretary To Lam’s visit to the ASEAN Secretariat, Indonesia, and Singapore will reaffirm Vietnam’s commitment to deepening regional cooperation and shaping ASEAN’s future trajectory.

Tran Thuong