Party chief’s visits reflect shared commitment to ASEAN’s future aspirations

During the trips, the Party leader joined more than 40 activities, including meetings, talks, dialogues, and engagements, delivering policy speeches, meetings with the Vietnamese community, and visiting several economic and cultural institutions in the two nations. On this occasion, ministries, sectors, localities, and businesses of Vietnam and their counterparts from the two countries signed numerous cooperation agreements in many fields such as education - training, combating transnational crime, fisheries, digital economy, digital transformation, green transition, and finance.

In their talks and meetings, the Vietnamese Party chief and leaders of Indonesia, Singapore, and the ASEAN Secretariat agreed to strengthen coordination at regional and global forums, and work closely with the bloc's member states to step up cooperation towards the successful building of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Strengthening cooperation across key sectors

During his visit to Indonesia, Lam held talks and meetings with Indonesian leaders, engaged with Indonesian businesses, met staff from the Vietnamese Embassy and mission in Indonesia, and attended a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN, where where he delivered a policy speech.

Recognising their deep historical and cultural ties, as well as shared values, the two nations agreed to upgrade their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This milestone reflects the culmination of seven decades of diplomatic relations and more than a decade of strategic partnership.

Both sides agreed to strengthen their political trust and develop an action programme to effectively harness and elevate cooperation across all fields, while pledging to enhance economic collaboration, striving to reach 18 billion USD in bilateral trade as soon as possible. They also vowed to step up defence and security cooperation, and expand collaboration in such emerging fields as green economy, digital economy, innovation, energy transition, electric vehicle ecosystem development, e-commerce, smart delivery, digital payments, science, technology, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence (AI), and Halal trade. Additionally, they agreed to foster people-to-people exchanges, particularly among younger generations.

Delivering a keynote policy speech at the ceremony to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Vietnam's admission to ASEAN, the Party leader affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to working closely with other the bloc's member states to unlock the region’s full potential while addressing shared challenges. He said the efforts cover the building of an inclusive, sustainable, and well-connected regional architecture that integrates political, security, economic, trade, cultural, social, and people-to-people ties.

Party General Secretary To Lam (second, left) and his spouse, along with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and his spouse, participate in a cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate Vietnam’s 30th anniversary of joining ASEAN. (Photo: VNA)

The Party chief stated that upholding the United Nations Charter and international law remains the most fundamental and effective approach to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the wider world.

Associate Professor, Dr. Dinna Prapto Raharja, Senior Policy Advisor at the Synergy Policies Research and Training Institute, praised Party General Secretary To Lam for emphasising the importance of ASEAN in Vietnam's strategy to advance as a strong nation. This demonstrates Vietnam's support for and promotion of cooperation with all Southeast Asian countries to bring about mutual benefits, she affirmed.

ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn described the first-ever visit to the ASEAN Secretariat by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam as a historic milestone, demonstrating ASEAN’s important position in Vietnam’s foreign policy. The visit was of great significance as 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of Vietnam's ASEAN membership and a decade since the establishment of the ASEAN Community.

Underscoring Vietnam’s important contributions to ASEAN and the ASEAN Community, Kao said he hopes that Vietnam will continue its leadership role in the bloc.

Driving new momentum in Vietnam-Singapore cooperation

During the Party leader’s stay in Singapore, high-ranking leaders of Vietnam and Singapore affirmed their strong commitments and high priority to further deepening the countries' friendship and mutual trust, while expanding cooperation across existing sectors. Both sides agreed to upgrade the bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, injecting fresh momentum into the two countries' all-round collaboration.

They also concurred to enhance political trust; further expand and deepen economic, trade, and investment ties; advance cooperation in digital transformation, innovation, green economy, and clean energy; and strengthen collaboration in defence - security, culture, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. The two countries will also expand the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) network under the VSIP 2.0 model, with a focus on innovation, low-carbon development, and digital transformation. In addition, cultural, sports, and youth exchanges will be promoted.

In his policy speech on Vietnam’s science, technology, innovation and digital transformation policy in a new era, and opportunities for bilateral cooperation, at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy of Singapore, Lam shared that Vietnam highly values its partnership with Singapore and other friendly nations. Vietnam will make further contributions to the development of a cohesive, innovative, and prosperous ASEAN, he stated.

Professor Vu Minh Khuong, from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy under the National University of Singapore, noted that Vietnam’s push to strengthen and expand its partnership with Singapore is a significant indicator of the country’s strategic foresight and the strong commitment of its leadership to driving transformative progress in the near future.

Lam’s official visit to Singapore also saw the naming of a new orchid species at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. This is a prestigious diplomatic tradition in the city state, reserved exclusively for distinguished foreign guests. The flower was officially named "Papilionanda To Lam Linh Ly” in honour of the Vietnamese Party chief and his spouse.

Accompanying the Party leader during the trips, his spouse, Ngo Phuong Ly also engaged in a series of cultural and art exchange activities between Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, and other ASEAN member states.

Talking with the press following the trips, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said the immediate priority is to concretise the new partnership frameworks by swiftly developing plans of action to implement Vietnam’s comprehensive strategic partnerships with Indonesia and Singapore.

He added that based on these action plans, relevant ministries and sectors must promptly establish detailed cooperation programmes to engage with their counterparts. While continuing to promote traditional areas of collaboration, attention must also be given to emerging fields such as the green economy, innovation, science - technology, digital transformation, and green energy.

The Deputy PM said it is also essential to regularly review, monitor, and assess the implementation of these plans and programmes to ensure that agreements are effectively translated into action, delivering practical benefits and supporting the realisation of the development goals in the new period.