30 years of Vietnam joining ASEAN: Model of integration and driving force for innovation

General Secretary To Lam attends the ceremony celebrating the 30th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to ASEAN. (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)

That was the comment of veteran Thai scholar Kavi Chongkittavorn in an interview with VNA reporters in Bangkok, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Vietnam becoming an ASEAN member (July 28, 1995 - July 28, 2025).

According to Mr. Kavi, since joining ASEAN, Vietnam has clearly identified two key goals: economic development and national security. These two dual goals have promoted Vietnam's strong integration into the region and the world.

Three decades later, Vietnam has become one of the most proactive and innovative member states in ASEAN. Vietnam has not only effectively utilized ASEAN economic cooperation frameworks for domestic reform, but also expanded its development space regionally and globally, especially in attracting investment, promoting trade and sustainable growth.

Mr. Kavi said that under the leadership of the Communist Party, Vietnam has demonstrated its ability to flexibly adjust its strategy and effectively adapt to domestic and international fluctuations. Vietnam's signing of major trade agreements, including an agreement with the US, is a clear demonstration of its increasingly mature geo-economic and economic diplomacy capabilities.

Thai scholars assert that Vietnam is in a favorable position to take on the leading role of ASEAN in three aspects. First, it is to become a “stabilizing force” that helps consolidate ASEAN’s central role in the context of increasingly complex geopolitical competition.

Second, it is a model of dynamic socio-economic transformation, helping to narrow the development gap in ASEAN with a population of 675 million.

Third, with its extensive network of free trade agreements (FTAs) and active presence in regional economic mechanisms such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), Vietnam can further promote ASEAN’s inclusiveness, towards a people-centered community and contribute to the realization of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Mr. Kavi emphasized that in the context of the Indo-Pacific region with many potential instabilities, ASEAN needs to continue to maintain strategic balance with major powers through constructive dialogue. In this process, Vietnam can play a “bridge” role, thanks to its substantive and flexible relations with both the US and China, on the basis of mutual benefit.

He expects that by 2045, Vietnam will become a leading country in economic integration and innovation in ASEAN. With a young workforce, a rapidly growing technology industry and a growing digital transformation policy, Vietnam can be a driving force for ASEAN’s joint initiatives in sustainable growth and building a resilient, adaptive and inclusive ASEAN Community in line with the ASEAN Vision 2045.

Thai scholars concluded that Vietnam has affirmed its role as a leading market economy in the region. If it maintains its current development momentum, Vietnam will not only continue to grow strongly but also play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of ASEAN./.

According to VNA

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/30-nam-viet-nam-gia-nhap-asean-hinh-mau-hoi-nhap-va-dong-luc-doi-moi-255795.htm