Vietnam, Indonesia hold third defence policy dialogue
Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien and Secretary General of the Indonesian Ministry of Defence Lieut. Gen Donny Ermawan Taufanto co-chaired the third Vietnam-Indonesia defence policy dialogue in Hanoi on October 31.
At the third Vietnam-Indonesia defence policy dialogue. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)🏅 – Deputy Minister of NationalDefence Sen. Lieut. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien and Secretary General of the IndonesianMinistry of Defence Lieut. Gen DonnyErmawan Taufanto co-chaired the third Vietnam-Indonesia defence policy dialoguein Hanoi on October 31.
At the dialogue, Deputy Minister Chien affirmed that Vietnam consistently follows the foreignpolicy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, multilateralisationand diversification of ties, and the defence policy of "four nos",including no partaking in military alliances, no sidingwith one country to act against another, no foreign military bases in the Vietnameseterritory or using Vietnam as leverage to counteract other countries, and nouse of force or threatening to use force in international relations. Taufanto, for his part, describeddefence ties as one of the pillars in bilateral comprehensive cooperation andpledged to reinforce mutually beneficial defence tiesthat match the significant potential of both countries.
The two sides shared the viewthat bilateral collaboration based on agreed contents at the second dialogue has brought about important results invarious areas, including the exchange of delegations at all levels, maintainingconsultation and dialogue mechanisms, cooperation between different militarybranches, training and mutual support at multilateral forums led by ASEAN.
🀅 The Vietnamese side spoke highly of the signingof an agreement on joint training procedures in December 2021 between the twonavies, and an MoU on cooperation in maritime securityand safety between the two coast guard forces in December 2022, laying the foundation to improve the effectiveness of lawenforcement cooperation activities at sea.
Host and guest also commended the outcomes ofthe fifth meeting of the joint working group on defence-military cooperationand the third meeting of the joint working group on defence industry cooperationheld the same day. About future cooperation orientations, they reaffirmedtheir commitment to further enhancing result-oriented and effective bilateraldefence cooperation, to contribute to the two countries' efforts toward upgrading their ties to comprehensive strategicpartnership, with a focus on the exchange of all-level delegations, effectiveconsultation and dialogue mechanisms, practical and effective coordinationbetween naval forces, coast guards, defence industries, training and strategicresearch, and areas of their strengths and needs.
They agreed to offer mutual support atmultilateral forums and mechanisms, particularly those led by ASEAN, and support events hostedby the other country.
♕ On global and regionalissues of shared concern, the two sides spoke highly of the role of ASEAN andthe mechanisms led by the bloc, and affirmed their joint efforts to activelycontribute to strengthening ASEAN's solidarity and centrality in the regionalsecurity architecture.
The two sides also underscored the importance ofensuring freedom, security and safety of navigation and overflight in the EastSea. They stressed the need to step up commitments and the effectiveimplementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea(DOC), work for the early completion of negotiations and signing of a practical and effective Code of Conductin the East Sea (COC) that is in line with international law, including the 1982United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)./.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien had a working session on August 19 with Indonesian Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan on the sidelines of the 55th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) that is taking place in Semarang, Indonesia.
The attendance of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam at the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Jakarta, Indonesia, from September 4-7 is expected to open up cooperation opportunities, thus helping the two countries to raise the bilateral trade turnover to 15 billion USD in a more balanced direction.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta on September 4 on the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings.
A delegation from Vietnam's Central Theory Council had meetings with leading Indonesian research institutions concerning religious and ethnic issues as part of its ongoing working visit to the nation from October 4 to 8.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
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.
At the third Vietnam-Indonesia defence policy dialogue. (Photo: VNA) 
