Vietnam’s economy may expand between 5.9% and 6.3% in 2025, outpacing the global average despite subdued external demand. The country's exports are estimated at 390–400 billion USD, maintaining their growth momentum, while public investment exceeding 7.2% of GDP will continue to support infrastructure and energy development.
Vietnam supports and will continue to fully and seriously implement its commitments under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), while proactively working with other members to enhance cooperation quality within the its framework, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said on October 27.
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
Vietnam attaches great importance to the RCEP, viewing it as a “bridge” that enables economies at different stages of development to share benefits, promote self-driven growth, and work toward common prosperity.
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that for ASEAN, RCEP represents far more than an economic arrangement; it is a strategic affirmation that open regionalism remains our pathway to shared prosperity.
ASEAN's intra-regional trade currently accounts for about 24% of total trade, with a combined Gross Domestic Product of nearly 3.8 trillion USD and a population of 680 million.
Member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will discuss the admission of new members and seek ways to boost trade flows when their leaders meet in October.
Malaysia is Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner in ASEAN and ninth globally, as well as a key investor with 731 valid projects worth about 13 billion USD. Bilateral trade reached 9.23 billion USD by July 2025, up 8% year-on-year, nearing the 18 billion USD target.
With clashes arising from time to time worldwide, Asia should continue to keep dialogue channels open, exercise restraint when conflicts emerge, and strengthen regional mechanisms that can help manage differences.
Vietnam’s key exports to Svay Rieng in particular and Cambodia in general include processed agricultural products, construction materials, consumer goods, machinery, fertilisers, and plastics. Cambodia mainly exports cashew nuts, rubber, rice, mangoes, pineapples, papayas, honey, and cassava starch.
Speaking with the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s ASEAN membership (July 28, 1995 – 2025), Tran Ba Phuc, Chairman of the Vietnamese Business Association in Australia and Vice Chairman of the Overseas Vietnamese Business Association, emphasised Vietnam’s active role in strengthening intra-regional solidarity and promoting peace, order, and stability in the region.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
By translating their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established last year, into concrete initiatives, Vietnam and Malaysia could drive regional growth, reinforce ASEAN centrality, and advance shared peace and prosperity.
With the theme “Regional Cooperation for Joint Advancement”, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) 2025 Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum is set to enhance understanding, substantive and effective cooperation in all areas, from economy and trade to cultural exchange among RCEP member countries.
ASEAN is seeking to expand its membership in two key trade agreements - the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). To date, only four ASEAN countries are members of the CPTPP, namely, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.
Ma Hongjun, Director of China-Vietnam trading company, expressed his belief that Vietnamese products will gain increasing popularity among consumers not only in China but across all RCEP markets.
Amid global economic restructuring and deeper regional cooperation, Vietnam–China economic and trade ties have grown significantly. with larger scale and major projects actively promoted, creating strong momentum for both nations' socio-economic development.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet affirmed the long-standing and resilient ties between ASEAN and New Zealand, built on mutual trust, respect, and shared values of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region. Over the past five decades, their relationship has expanded comprehensively and inclusively across multiple sectors under the four cooperation pillars of peace, prosperity, people, and planet.
Currently, the agreement covers a market of approximately 2.3 billion people, representing around 30% of the global population and GDP. Notably, five of its 15 members are members of the G20.
The most immediate impact of Trump’s tariffs will be inflation, both in the US and worldwide. As import costs rise, businesses will pass these costs onto consumers, driving up prices, said Professor Phar Kim Beng of ASEAN Studies at the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM).