Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends closing ceremony of 47th ASEAN Summit

The Vietnamese delegation, led by PM Chinh, participated actively and contributed effectively to nearly 20 multilateral activities within the framework of the summits, sharing several strategic directions shaping ASEAN’s future.

A performance at the closing ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on October 28 afternoon (Photo: VNA)
A performance at the closing ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on October 28 afternoon (Photo: VNA)

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) attended the closing ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, and the handover of the ASEAN Chairmanship from Malaysia to the Philippines in Kuala Lumpur on October 28 afternoon.

Delivering his closing remarks at the end of the three-day event featuring over 20 activities, Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim expressed his gratitude to all ASEAN member states and partners for their contributions and efforts, which ensured the success of the summits. He described it as an event guided by perseverance and reason in a time of turbulence, and a testament to the ASEAN Way.

He stressed that the key outcomes achieved will inject fresh momentum into regional integration, enhance the bloc’s collective strength and global standing, and prepare the inclusive and sustainable ASEAN Community to move forward confidently into its next stage of development with 11 member countries.

The outcomes of the summits between ASEAN and its partner affirmed the association’s centrality and prestige, helping to further strengthen and expand its external relations for the sake of peace, stability, and development.

Taking over the chairmanship from Malaysia, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the theme “Navigating our future together” for ASEAN Year 2026, with three overarching priorities of strengthening peace and security, enhancing prosperity corridors, and empowering the people.

2-asean-summit-closing-vna.jpg
A view of the closing ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on October 28 afternoon (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnamese delegation, led by PM Chinh, participated actively and contributed effectively to nearly 20 multilateral activities within the framework of the summits, sharing several strategic directions shaping ASEAN’s future.

Vietnam also advanced practical cooperation and friendship with partners through more than 20 bilateral meetings. The country’s proposals and initiatives focused on promoting an ASEAN Community that is united, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable, placing people at the centre of development and linking national progress with regional prosperity.

Through these efforts, Vietnam demonstrated its role as a proactive, active, and responsible member, making tangible contributions to intra-bloc solidarity, and ASEAN’s centrality for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region.

Later the same day, PM Chinh and the Vietnamese delegation departed Kuala Lumpur, successfully concluding their working trip to Malaysia./.

VNA

See more

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (right) meets with Fukuda Tomikazu, Governor of Japan’s Tochigi prefecture in Hanoi on December 16. (Photo: Courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Minister of Foreign Affairs receives Japan’s Tochigi Governor

Trung suggested that Tochigi continue to effectively implement signed agreements and further strengthen cooperation in areas that can create new development momentum for Vietnam, such as science and technology, digital transformation, innovation, and the training of high-quality human resources.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Lao Minister of Education and Sports Thongsalith Mangnormek in Hanoi on December 16 (Photo: VNA)

PM suggests acceleration of Laos–Vietnam University establishment

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said the two sides should strengthen the teaching and learning of Vietnamese and Lao in both countries, including introducing Vietnamese as an optional foreign language in Lao schools, while continuing academic exchanges and programmes on tradition education to nurture the special bilateral relationship, he said.

Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand and the Cook Islands Phan Minh Giang (L) presents his credentials to Sir Tom Marsters, Representative of King Charles III to the Cook Islands (Photo: VNA)

Cook Islands attaches importance to ties with Vietnam

Sir Tom Marsters, Representative of King Charles III to the Cook Islands welcomed the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Cook Islands and Vietnam in April 2022, describing it as laying a long-term vision for friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Ministries and sectors are requested to pay special attention to promoting election publicity and legal education. - Illustrative image (baochinhphu.vn)

Government sets out coordinated plan for 2026 elections

The plan also aims to ensure that the elections are conducted in a democratic, equal and law-abiding manner, while being safe and cost-effective, truly becoming a nationwide civic event, thus contributing to strengthening and enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the state apparatus and building a socialist rule-of-law state of Vietnam of the people, by the people and for the people.

President Ho Chi Minh’s image featured on ballots at Communist Party of Uruguay congress (Photo: VNA)

Image of President Ho Chi Minh appears on ballots at Uruguay Communist Party congress

Among the ballots used at the congress were three featuring posters of President Ho Chi Minh and one bearing an image depicting the Vietnamese people engaged in production during the period of resistance against foreign aggression. The latter also carried the inscriptions “80th Anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day” and “33rd National Congress of the PCU".

Flowers are laid in memory of victims of the shooting on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on December 15, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Vietnam sends sympathy to Australia following Sydney shooting

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 15 sent a message of sympathy to his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese over a shooting that occurred on December 14 at Bondi beach in Sydney, New South Wales, resulting in multiple civilian casualties.

Party General Secretary To Lam and NA deputies are welcomed by locals in Hung Yen on December 15, 2025 (Photo: VNA)

Party leader meets with voters in Hung Yen province

Responding to Hung Yen voters’ recommendations, Party General Secretary To Lam affirmed the consistent principle of placing people at the centre, safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests, and ensuring that all policies and decisions serve the people.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung holds phone talks with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro on December 15. (Photo : VNA)

Vietnamese, Philippine foreign ministers hold phone talks

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and his Philippine counterpart Maria Theresa Lazaro agreed to continue promoting efforts to elevate bilateral ties to a new height, including stepping up high-level and all-level delegation exchanges across Party, State, National Assembly and people-to-people channels.

The NA Standing Committee's meeting on electoral affairs on December 15. (Photo: quochoi.vn)

NA Standing Committee discusses electoral affairs

The NA Standing Committee adopted a resolution on the first adjustment to the structure, composition, and number of candidates nominated for the 16th NA, and approved a plan to supervise and inspect the election.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man chairs the fourth meeting of the National Election Council on December 15, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Election preparations on track ahead of upcoming polls: NA Chairman

Highlighting key positive aspects of the preparation process so far, the top legislator pointed to the strong, coordinated engagement of agencies from the central to local levels, swift yet methodical progress, particularly in finalising documents, developing organisational plans and drafting resolutions on electoral units.