Prime Minister Le Minh Hung called for priority to be given to the effective implementation of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), attracting high-quality investment and strengthening participation in regional and global supply chains.
According to the expert, Vietnam’s strategic contribution lies in helping ASEAN recognise that Mekong-related issues are not merely development challenges for one subregion but are directly linked to the bloc’s overall economic resilience and security.
PM Le Minh Hung perceived that ASEAN must look beyond mobilising more capital or constructing additional facilities; more importantly, it must correctly identify priorities, utilise resources efficiently, and successfully implement regional infrastructure projects.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang stressed that amid conflicts and instability in various parts of the world, ASEAN should give top priority to strengthening the foundations of peace and stability, uphold the rule of law and promote the bloc’s principles and norms of conduct, particularly the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).
PM Le Minh Hung’s attendance underscores Vietnam's sustained commitment to the bloc, which aligns consistently with the foreign policy set forth by the 14th National Party Congress, which defines ASEAN as a bloc of strategic importance and a top priority in Vietnam’s external relations.
Vietnam’s digital economy maintained positive growth, increasingly driven by the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in everyday life and business operations.
By 2030, Lao Cai aims to recognise more than 300 additional OCOP products, averaging 60–70 annually, including at least two five-star products.
This is SPA’s first route directly connecting Phu Quoc with Europe, opening up a new gateway for long-haul international visitors as the number of Russian tourists to Vietnam continues to grow strongly.
Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III expressed hope that Prime Minister Le Minh Hung would continue to actively engage in various meetings, particularly discussions between ASEAN and its partners, at the 49th ASEAN Summit and related meetings.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung's attendance at the 49th ASEAN Summit and related summits in Manila, the Philippines, from November 14-17 aims to concretise Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, resilience, multilateralisation and diversification, and reaffirm ASEAN's position as Vietnam's foremost strategic priority in its foreign policy.
PM Hung’s participation in the 49th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Manila from November 14-17 further underscores Vietnam’s proactive, active and responsible commitment to contributing to ASEAN.
ADB estimates that the region will need an average of 476 billion USD in infrastructure investment annually during 2026–2040, equivalent to 8.7% of GDP. However, at current investment levels, government budget resources would cover only around 45% of this demand, leaving an annual financing gap of 264 billion USD.
Recent fluctuations in global energy markets highlighted the need for ASEAN member states to improve preparedness and cooperation. Stockpiling cooperation will enable ASEAN to strengthen energy security while optimising costs through resource sharing.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow noted that no single member state could tackle challenges ranging from major-power competition and economic fragmentation to climate change and energy and food security on its own. Regional cooperation is therefore a strategic imperative, enabling ASEAN not only to overcome crises but also to sustain its development momentum.
Cambodian Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra said the rapid spread of false and misleading information, coupled with advances in generative artificial intelligence (AI), is posing increasingly complex challenges to regional societies.
Hosted by the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU), the 22nd ACWO General Assembly marked another milestone in ACWO’s cooperation and development, allowing ASEAN women’s organisations to strengthen solidarity and mutual trust, share experience and identify cooperation priorities for the region’s next stage of development.
Amid ongoing regional and global changes, which bring both new opportunities and challenges for women, the role of the ASEAN Confederation of Women’s Organisations in connecting organisations and promoting collective action has become increasingly important. This requires continued innovation in its operating methods, stronger ties among members and greater promotion of women's voices and roles in building a united, resilient, inclusive and sustainable ASEAN Community.
ASEAN already has the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), based in Singapore since 1993. The establishment of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control is expected to complement this mechanism by strengthening cooperation among member states and improving the region's response to transboundary haze pollution.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam underscored the long-standing friendship and cooperation between ASEAN and Sri Lanka and pointed to room for more economic, trade and investment ties.
Discussions ran across three topics: AI-based innovation in future teaching and learning, AI in professional education and specialised practice, and digital transformation and regional cooperation ecosystems.
Law should provide the foundation for translating climate goals into concrete, implementable, monitorable and assessable actions, said Dr. Le Truong Son, Rector of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law (ULAW).
Japanese Minister of National Defence Koizumi Shinjiro said members must bridge differences to tackle shared challenges and proposed expanding Japan–ASEAN cooperation with outside partners into AI, unmanned systems and the protection of undersea critical infrastructure.
At a panel discussion on policy frameworks for the digital economy, held as part of the Autumn Economic Forum 2026 on October 27, speakers said ASEAN needed to ensure national systems could work together while protecting data and facilitating business, rather than impose uniform rules across the region.
ASEAN is becoming increasingly attractive thanks to its market of more than 680 million people, rapid urbanisation and growing demand for electrification and digital infrastructure.
The initiative aims to bring together policymakers, financial institutions, payment networks and technology providers to advance the use of digital money in cross-border financial activities.
TAT will focus on families and shopping in Vietnam, while its Malaysian campaign will emphasise food, shopping and travel to secondary cities.
Culture helps us recognise one another. People-to-people diplomacy brings us closer, while connections between people help strengthen the resilience of the ASEAN Community.
As part of its commitment to regional development, Cambodia is preparing to host several major events, including the 2028 ASEAN University Games, the 2029 Asian Youth Para Games and the 2031 ASEAN Youth Games.
