Farmers must be regarded as the centre, key stakeholder, goal, and driving force of all activities of the Vietnam Farmers’ Union, said Politburo member and Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu.
The visit reflects the importance both sides attach to bilateral ties and their determination to further advance the Vietnam–Thailand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The sea should not be viewed solely as an area for resource exploitation or sectoral economic development. It must be recognised as a strategic national development space where economic growth, national defence, security, science and technology, and international integration converge, said Party General Secretary and State President To Lam.
In his opening remarks, Politburo member and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung described the dialogue as a landmark for ASEAN cooperation, marking the first-ever exchange among political parties from across Southeast Asia.
Beni Sukadis, Senior Coordinator at the Indonesian Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies (Lesperssi), described the AFF as a regional platform for policy innovation where new concepts can be explored, refined and developed before being translated into concrete action.
They noted that the visit also underscores the close and trusted relationship between leaders of both nations, who have continued to seek ways to deepen and expand cooperation across all areas at the bilateral, regional and international levels.
Professor Xu Liping described the ASEAN Future Forum as a tangible contribution by Vietnam to the regional grouping, demonstrating the country’s sense of mission and responsibility as an emerging middle power.
Diplomats of Laos, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, and Timor-Leste have all described the forum as a timely and strategic initiative that provides a platform for forward-looking dialogue on the region’s future.
An expert of the Cambodian Centre for Regional Studies (CCRS) said PM Hun Manet’s visit demonstrates Cambodia’s desire to further strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in both bilateral and multilateral aspects while continuing to resolve outstanding issues through peaceful mechanisms and in the spirit of good neighbourliness.
The year 2026 holds special significance as Vietnam and Thailand celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The visit by PM Anutin takes place just 10 days after the official visit to Thailand by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam.
The visit, PM Hun Manet’s second official trip to Vietnam since taking office, is expected to further strengthen the bilateral relations, enhance practical cooperation and contribute to regional peace, stability and ASEAN Community-building efforts.
During the past tenure, with the Party’s leadership, effective State management and support from ministries, sectors and businesses, farmers nationwide overcame numerous challenges and achieved important accomplishments, VNFU President Luong Quoc Doan said.
The spokesperson said that the visit aims to identify areas that can be advanced immediately with Vietnam, including trade expansion, investment promotion, logistics connectivity, clean energy, food security, and human resource development.
The visit comes as the two countries are actively implementing strategic directions agreed upon by their senior leaders.
The agreement was one of four cooperation documents exchanged during the Lao PM’s ongoing official visit to Vietnam, reflecting the determination of the two Parties, States, as well as ministries, and sectors of the two countries to further consolidate, strengthen and deepen the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.
The trip, which marks the Cambodian leader’s second official trip to Vietnam since taking office as Prime Minister, is expected to inject fresh momentum into bilateral ties and contribute to regional peace, stability and ASEAN Community-building.
The AFF has been widely recognised as a forum “by ASEAN and for ASEAN,” creating a new, open, and flexible space for dialogue that encourages multidimensional interaction, focusing on future-oriented issues, ASEAN’s long-term development trajectory, and strategic challenges affecting the region, rather than solely addressing immediate crises.
Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung appreciated the Lao delegation’s participation and remarks at the symposium, saying they reflect the importance attached by both sides to the relations between the two Parties as well as the two countries, and their shared commitment to implementing high-level agreements.
The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last weekend by the Vietnam News Agency.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on August 6, 1976, Vietnam-Thailand ties have expanded steadily in both breadth and depth. The two countries enjoy strong political trust and close relations between their leaders and people. This has provided a solid foundation for deeper cooperation across all channels, including state, government, parliamentary, business, local-level and people-to-people exchanges.
