Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s raising of the ASEAN gavel at the 35th ASEAN Summit in November last year signalled not only Vietnam’s commencement as chair of the regional grouping, but also the start of a critically definitive period for its foreign policy, said The Interpreter of the Lowy Institute, Australia, in a story.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives the chairmanship gavel from his Thai counterpart Prayut Chan-o-cha at the closing ceremony of the 35th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in November last year.

The US-based Wilson Center said over the past few years, Vietnam’s foreign policy has been in focus due to Hanoi’s increasing activism on a range of issues ranging, particularly UN peacekeeping.

Thailand’s Bangkok Post run a recent story titled “Vietnam is powering full steam towards the future”, saying Vietnam is ready to showcase itself after more than 30 years of reform.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Kompas quoted an expert as saying Vietnam selecting “Cohesive and Responsive” as the theme for its ASEAN Chairmanship this year shows that the country will focus on strengthening the regional bloc to be able to actively respond to challenges in the new era.

Choi Shing Kwok, Director of the Singapore-based Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), said the assumption of a non-permanent UNSC member gives Vietnam an opportunity to showcase its leadership globally and at the same time, benefits ASEAN.

Also from the ISEAS, Dr. Hoang Thi Ha said this year’s ASEAN Chairmanship theme reflects Vietnam’s top priority today to make ASEAN an united bloc with coordinated stance and actions to address common challenges, including traditional and non-traditional security issues.

As a non-permanent UNSC member, Vietnam will be able to connect ASEAN’s priorities with the global agendas, particularly in applying international law and multilateral mechanisms to promote peace and resolve disputes, Ha said.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups 10 member states, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Binh Dinh: Eye care development project proves fruitful

A project funded by Orbis Vietnam to develop children’s eye care services in the southern central province of Binh Dinh has obtained good results that are beyond expectations, heard a recent meeting.

Vietnam to boost tourism development in protective forests

Developing tourism and services in protective and special-use forests in parallel with conservation will become a key part of the national economy in the future, said Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong.

PM urges young entrepreneurs to make greater efforts for development

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has called on young entrepreneurs to make greater efforts to develop big firms and global brands, contributing to turning Vietnam into a strong country.

Vietnam Youth for Peace and Development project launched

The Vietnam Youth for Peace and Development project, funded by the US embassy in Vietnam, was officially launched during a ceremony in Hanoi on December 16, with 52 outstanding youths taking part.

Bac Giang seizes opportunities to boost socio-economic development

(BGO) - The socio-economic development of Bac Giang province in 2019 achieved significant results. 8 key targets of the provincial Party Congress and Resolution of the People’s Council in 2016-2020 period have been fulfilled at the end of 2019. The growth rate is remained high among top localities nationwide. 

Source: VNA