Vietnam pledges substantive contribution to ASEAN Community at upcoming summit

At the invitation of Philippine President and ASEAN 2026 Chair Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., Hung will lead a high-level Vietnamese delegation to the summit in Cebu from May 7 to 8.

The event, themed ‘Navigating Our Future, Together,’ marks the first annual summit under the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang said ahead of the trip that the visit carries special significance as it will be Hung’s first overseas trip in his new role.

Giang said the prime minister’s attendance reflects Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, alongside diversification and multilateralization, in line with the spirit of the 14th National Party Congress, with ASEAN remaining a top strategic priority.

He added that the trip underscores Vietnam’s commitment to ASEAN Community-building through a proactive and substantive approach.

According to Giang, the visit aims to work with other member states to consolidate peace, uphold unity and ASEAN centrality, and strengthen the bloc’s capacity to respond to emerging challenges, thereby supporting sustainable development across the region while deepening Vietnam’s ties with ASEAN partners.

Vietnam will work closely with other ASEAN countries to advance the priorities of the ASEAN Chairmanship 2026 and implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, with the goal of building a resilient, dynamic, innovative and people-centered ASEAN Community.

It will also join efforts to maintain peace, security and stability, uphold international law and multilateralism, enhance intra-bloc connectivity and deepen engagement with partners, thereby reinforcing ASEAN’s central role in the regional architecture.

In addition, Vietnam will actively contribute to key agenda items, particularly pressing issues such as energy security, food security and citizen protection, while putting forward practical initiatives to strengthen ASEAN’s collective response to increasingly complex external challenges.

On the sidelines of the summit, Hung is expected to hold his first in-person meetings with ASEAN leaders in his new capacity, aimed at strengthening ties, building political trust and promoting substantive cooperation.

Giang expressed confidence that Hung’s trip will be successful, further underscoring Vietnam’s image as a proactive, active, sincere, responsible and reliable member ready to contribute to peace, stability and development in ASEAN, while enhancing the country’s role and standing in the region and strengthening ties with other ASEAN member states.

The event comes at a pivotal moment as ASEAN enters a new phase following a decade of Community-building from 2015 to 2025 and begins implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 across its political-security, economic, socio-cultural and connectivity pillars.

It takes place against a backdrop of rapidly evolving regional and global dynamics, including intensifying strategic competition, supply chain disruptions, energy and food security concerns and rising trade protectionism.

The summit will provide an opportunity for ASEAN leaders to exchange views, align strategic priorities, strengthen unity and resilience, and reaffirm the bloc’s strategic value.

Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening ASEAN’s unity, resilience and capacity to respond to urgent challenges, particularly in energy and food security, supply chain stability and citizen support during emergencies.

They will also address advancing key priorities, including the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship agenda for 2026, as well as reinforcing the bloc’s collective voice and central role through adherence to international law, support for multilateralism and deeper engagement with partners.