This is the first official visit to Malaysia by a Vietnamese Prime Minister in 10 years and also the first visit by a key Vietnamese leader since the two countries upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in November 2023. In recent years, Vietnam-Malaysia relations have continued to develop across various sectors. High-level and multi-level exchanges, as well as bilateral cooperation mechanisms, have been effectively maintained. The Communist Party of Vietnam has sustained good relations with major political parties in Malaysia.
On the foundation of growing political trust, Vietnam and Malaysia have continued to strengthen cooperation in defense and security. The two countries are also among each other's leading economic partners within ASEAN, with bilateral trade turnover exceeding USD 14.2 billion in 2024, an increase of over 12% compared to 2023. Cooperation in other areas such as labor, education, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges has also seen many positive developments.
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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse (Photo: VOV) |
As important members of ASEAN, Vietnam and Malaysia have actively worked with other member states to enhance solidarity and uphold the Association’s central role, joining efforts to build the ASEAN Community into a key driver of regional architecture. Both countries have closely coordinated at regional and international forums, especially at the United Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), among others.
The 46th ASEAN Summit and related meetings mark the first major summit event under Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. These events take place at a pivotal moment as ASEAN enters the final year of implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, while accelerating efforts to complete the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and related strategic frameworks for deeper integration in the coming decades.
Amid complex and profound changes at both regional and global levels, ASEAN strives to maintain unity and its central role, sustain momentum in intra- and extra-regional cooperation, and enhance its capacity to address security challenges, ensuring balanced approaches to both regional and global issues. The theme “Inclusive and Sustainable” for Malaysia’s 2025 Chairmanship reflects a commitment to continuity in community-building, with priorities focusing on economic cooperation, promoting ASEAN’s role in shaping new frameworks, leading adaptation to global trends, and proactively responding to external dynamics. As such, the 46th ASEAN Summit and its related events present an important opportunity for regional leaders to discuss, assess, and chart strategic directions for strengthening cooperation, maintaining ASEAN’s community-building momentum, and enhancing its resilience and coordinated response to emerging challenges.
Prime Minister Chinh’s official visit to Malaysia reaffirms the consistent foreign policy of Vietnam’s Party and State to value relations with neighboring countries and ASEAN, including Malaysia. It also underscores Vietnam’s support for Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 and conveys a clear message of Vietnam’s commitment to actively and responsibly contributing, alongside Malaysia and other member states, to building an “inclusive and sustainable” ASEAN Community.
Translated by Quynh Oanh