On the sidelines of the event, the Prime Minister had a series of important bilateral meetings with leaders of Laos, Japan, the World Bank (WB), the ASEAN Secretary-General, and the President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).

These meetings contributed to deepening Vietnam’s cooperation with regional and global partners, while reaffirming the country’s reputation and leadership role in ASEAN and the international arena.

Promoting practical cooperation with regional and global partners

At the meeting with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister Chinh expressed deep gratitude to the Party, State, and Government of Laos for their sympathy and support for Vietnam following recent floods and typhoons, while extending his condolences over the losses caused by natural disasters in Laos.

PM highly appreciated Laos’ socio-economic achievements in recent years, reaffirming that Vietnam strongly and comprehensively supports Laos’ renewal process. He emphasized that Vietnam attaches the highest priority to its special relationship with Laos and will continue to nurture this long-standing friendship toward sustainable and in-depth development.

The two Prime Ministers agreed to accelerate the implementation of high-level agreements and strengthen cooperation in strategic areas, particularly key projects on infrastructure connectivity, energy, trade, and high-quality human resources training. 

Prime Minister Chinh urged both sides to push forward major projects such as Wharf No. 3 at Vung Ang Port, the national population database and ID card system, the Friendship Hospital, and the Friendship Park, creating fresh momentum for a new phase of cooperation between the two nations.

PM Sonexay Siphandone thanked Vietnam for its wholehearted and selfless support throughout Laos’ struggle for independence and development. He agreed to closely coordinate with Vietnam in effectively implementing key projects toward major milestones in bilateral relations in 2025. 

Both leaders reaffirmed their determination to strengthen the special political relations, enhance defense and security cooperation, and expand economic, trade, and investment linkages commensurate with the great friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

During his meeting with Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, PM Chinh congratulated her on assuming office, affirming that Vietnam regards Japan as one of its most important strategic partners.

Both leaders expressed their delight at the robust growth of Vietnam - Japan relations, particularly since the two countries elevated ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership 2 years ago.

They agreed to maintain high-level exchanges and boost cooperation in emerging fields such as science and technology, high-quality workforce training, digital and green transformation, semiconductors, and energy, while also promoting local cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

Prime Minister Chinh proposed that Japan continue providing Official Development Assistance (ODA) for key infrastructure projects and facilitate the Vietnamese community’s life and work in Japan.

PMTakaichi Sanae welcomed Vietnam’s proposals, affirming that the Japanese Government highly values its partnership with Vietnam and stands ready to work closely with Hanoi to elevate the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to new heights, ensuring it is more substantive and effective.

Strengthening multilateral cooperation, connectivity and integration

At the meeting with World Bank Vice President Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, Prime Minister Chinh congratulated him on his new position and shared Vietnam’s recent economic achievements, with GDP growth projected at over 8 percent in 2025, total GDP estimated at USD 510 billion, and per capita income reaching USD 5,000.

He called on the WB to continue offering Vietnam more preferential loans and streamlined procedures, especially for strategic projects such as the one-million-hectare low-emission rice initiative in the Mekong Delta, green transition, clean energy development, and climate change and subsidence prevention.

Vice President Jaramillo expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s remarkable progress and confirmed that the WB will continue to accompany and support Vietnam in realizing its development goals. He also expressed his desire to visit Vietnam soon to concretize these cooperation initiatives.

Meeting ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, the Prime Minister highly valued the Secretariat’s role in advancing the ASEAN Community-building process and urged the organization to continue promoting its centrality in implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn affirmed that Vietnam remains one of ASEAN’s most active and influential members. He noted that ASEAN has achieved significant progress in intra-bloc cooperation, investment, trade, and infrastructure and energy connectivity, though the region faces challenges amid rapid global changes.

Both sides agreed that ASEAN must strengthen internal solidarity, enhance strategic autonomy, and expand cooperation with emerging regions such as Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe. They also underlined the importance of investing in science and technology, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors, while advancing cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges. The ASEAN Secretary-General pledged continued close coordination and support for Vietnam in building a stronger ASEAN Community.

During the meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Infantino commended the impressive progress of Vietnamese football and expressed his desire to cooperate in establishing a FIFA Football Academy in Vietnam to foster talent development.

PM Chinh thanked FIFA for its continuous support and expressed hope that FIFA would further connect Vietnamese football with leading football nations, including Italy. The Prime Minister cordially invited Infantino to visit Vietnam and attend upcoming sports and cultural events. The FIFA President gladly accepted the invitation.

The bilateral meetings held on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit once again reflected Vietnam’s proactive, responsible approach and its growing prestige in the region and the world. They also reaffirmed the country’s consistent foreign policy of openness, diversification, multilateralization, and deep international integration, for peace, cooperation and sustainable development.