A high-ranking Vietnamese delegation led by Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang attended the ASEAN-US Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, on November 20.
Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang (L) (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) – A high-ranking Vietnamese delegation led by Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang attended the ASE🅺AN-US Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, on November 20.
The event was co-chaired by Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.
In his address, Giang underlined the increasingly substantive and effective defence cooperation between ASEAN and the US, noting that the US has regularly proposed holding informal meetings with ASEAN defence ministers, actively joined the seven ADMM+ Experts’ Working Groups, and proactively initiated efforts to enhance cooperation and build capacity for ASEAN member states.
The Vietnamese Defence Ministry highly values the effectiveness and practicality of the US-proposed activities, which are crucial for regional peace, security and self-resilience, as well as the common development of ASEAN member countries, he said.
With the fifth cycle of the ADMM+ Experts’ Working Groups underway, Giang reaffirmed the commitment of all parties to promoting dialogue, building trust and making substantive contributions to maintaining regional peace and stability. This includes consolidating cooperation in the seven areas outlined in the 2022 ASEAN-US Leaders' Statement on the establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.
Expressing confidence in the successful co-chairing of the ADMM+ Experts’ Working Group on Military Medicine by the US and Indonesia in this cycle, Giang reiterated Vietnam’s support for and active involvement in US-ASEAN cooperation activities, particularly within the ADMM+ framework.
Austin expressed the US’s desire to further enhance practical and effective defence collaboration with ASEAN for the sake of regional peace and security.
In reply, ASEAN defence ministers affirmed their readiness to collaborate with the US and other partners to navigate security challenges, both traditional and non-traditional.
On the sidelines of the 18th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM-18) and the 11th ADMM+ meeting in Vientiane, Giang held a bilateral meeting with Lieut. Gen Domingos Raul, Chief of Defence of Timor Leste.
Both sides acknowledged the positive initial results of Vietnam-Timor Leste defence ties, including meetings between leaders of the two defence ministries during multilateral events.
A notable example of successful cooperation is the Military Industry-Telecommunications Group (Viettel), which operates in Timor-Leste under the brand Telemor. It has emerged as one of the largest telecom providers in the country, boasting coverage of up to 96%.
Minister Giang wished for enhanced cooperation in areas that align with the needs and capabilities of both countries, and support for Viettel's increasingly effective operations in Timor-Leste.
On the sidelines of ADMM-18, he also engaged with his counterparts from Cambodia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Brunei, discussing measures to reinforce defence ties./.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh joined leaders of other ASEAN member countries and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken at the 12th ASEAN-US Summit in Vientiane on October 11.
An event was held to mark ASEAN Day 2024 by the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs under the US Department of State (DOS) and the ASEAN Committee in Washington at the US-ASEAN Centre in Washington D.C on August 8.
Vietnam is the most investment worthy place in ASEAN, based on valid and practical grounds where improved economic diversification, international integration, reformed investment legislation and good economic policy must be counted, according to an article recently published on the US’s mondaq.com.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
