Reflections on Vietnam’s 30 Years of ASEAN Membership

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In preparation for joining ASEAN, the Government of Vietnam decided to establish a resident embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan to foster bilateral friendship and support multilateral diplomacy within ASEAN. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cam appointed me, then Deputy Director-General of the Department of Southeast Asia-South Pacific under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to serve as Minister Counselor and Chargé d’affaires ad interim of the Vietnamese Embassy in Brunei. The mission was to urgently establish the embassy in preparation for the Vietnamese delegation’s participation in the accession ceremony and the 28th ASEAN Foreign Ministerial Meeting.

The flag-raising ceremony marking Vietnam’s official joining as the seventh member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), on the afternoon of July 28, 1995, in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. (Archive photo: VNA)

This July, memories of that historic flag-raising ceremony come flooding back to me. The ceremony took place solemnly at the square in front of the International Convention Centre in the capital of Brunei, with the attendance of ASEAN Foreign Ministers, ASEAN Secretary-General Ajit Singh, and the Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cam. The delegation also included Vu Khoan (then Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Head of Vietnam’s Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) delegation); Ambassador Do Ngoc Son (Director-General of the ASEAN Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Vietnamese Ambassadors to ASEAN countries, and representatives from the Government Office and various ministries and sectors.

I still vividly remember that moment. In the brilliant afternoon sunlight, amidst a solemn atmosphere, Director-General Do Ngoc Son, with both hands, solemnly held the red flag with a yellow star and slowly walked toward ASEAN Secretary-General Ajit Singh to present it. Ajit Singh received the flag and ceremoniously handed it to the commanding officer of the honor guard. The national flag of Vietnam was gradually raised, proudly fluttering against the clear blue sky, accompanied by the resounding melody of the Vietnamese national anthem.

That moment left us all speechless with emotion. Personally, I had witnessed many flag-raising ceremonies before, but never had I experienced such an overwhelming surge of feelings: pride, trust, and a sacred emotion that is difficult to articulate. Tears welled up in my eyes, naturally and uncontrollably. It was not merely a diplomatic ritual, but a vivid symbol of Vietnam’s post-war integration journey, unwavering in its commitment to openness and determined to connect with the regional community.

ASEAN Foreign Ministers welcome Vietnam as the seventh official member of the Association. (Archive photo: VNA)

Before this historic event took place, there were vibrant discussions within Vietnam about the prospect of joining ASEAN - would it be integration or dissolution? What were the benefits and challenges? The majority agreed that joining ASEAN was inevitable and aligned with the international integration policy of our Party and State. On the other hand, within ASEAN, there were still some concerns at the time that differences in political systems, levels of economic development, and cultural contexts might affect the consensus principle, ASEAN’s foundational mode of operation. However, through thorough exchanges and consultations, both sides reached a consensus, opening a new chapter for both ASEAN and Vietnam.

Three decades later, it is evident that Vietnam’s participation in ASEAN marked the beginning of a new phase that helped strengthen the bloc’s capacity, turning it into a resilient organization, ending doubts, divisions, and confrontations, and ushering in a new era of peace, stability, cooperation, and development. For Vietnam, three notable benefits can be highlighted:

First, Vietnam has enjoyed favorable conditions for rapid and sustainable development. Joining ASEAN provided a peaceful and stable environment to concentrate resources on national development; it also enabled the expansion of relations with countries, territories, and key global partners; facilitated access to new markets; attracted additional external resources; and promoted deeper regional and international integration.

Second, Vietnam’s ASEAN membership has contributed to enhancing the country’s institutional capacity, fostering reforms that align more closely with regional and international standards; and helped improve the qualifications and capabilities of personnel at all levels and sectors in international and multilateral engagements.

Third, Vietnam’s international role and standing have steadily increased. Through ASEAN’s mechanisms and forums, we have had more opportunities to assert our voice, demonstrate our diplomatic capability, and participate more confidently in regional and global “playing fields.”

Since joining ASEAN, Vietnam has matured significantly in the integration process, from the stage of learning and familiarization to fully fulfilling its obligations and responsibilities as a member. Vietnam has made many positive contributions, which have been highly appreciated by ASEAN member states and the international community in terms of role and stature. In practice, Vietnam has been actively involved in building the three ASEAN Communities, while proposing numerous initiatives to work with member countries in effectively implementing each Community’s programs and plans. Vietnam has also served as coordinator for ASEAN’s cooperation mechanisms with partners, contributing to enhanced connectivity and the expansion of strategic partnerships between ASEAN and these countries. Notably, Vietnam successfully held the ASEAN Chairmanship in 1998, 2010, and 2020.

In the current context of rapidly evolving, complex, and unpredictable regional and global dynamics, ASEAN needs more than ever to demonstrate unity and strategic vision. At the ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN (held on March 10, 2025, at the ASEAN Secretariat Headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia), General Secretary To Lam delivered an important policy speech titled: “Vietnam’s Vision for ASEAN and Regional Affairs: Foreign Policy and International Integration in the Era of National Advancement.” In his remarks, General Secretary To Lam emphasized: “Given the complex shifts today, preserving and leveraging our recorded achievements in a sustainable, effective way, and asserting ASEAN’s centrality and standing, requires more than mere solidarity, unity, and collective resolve. ASEAN must also embrace innovative thinking, employ agile strategies, develop pragmatic roadmaps, allocate focused resources, and take decisive action.”

General Secretary To Lam delivering a speech at the 30th Anniversary Ceremony of Vietnam’s Membership in ASEAN at the ASEAN Secretariat Headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia, March 10, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

I firmly believe that Vietnam’s role and position in the region and the world will continue to rise. This belief is grounded in Vietnam’s consistent policy of proactively and actively contributing to global politics, the world economy, and human civilization, with ASEAN identified as a top-priority, directly relevant multilateral cooperation mechanism. Vietnam will continue to uphold a strong sense of responsibility and make positive contributions to ASEAN’s common endeavors, guided by the principles of action-oriented commitment and resolute implementation.

It would be remiss not to mention the vital role of people-to-people relations between Vietnam and other ASEAN member states. Since joining the Association, Vietnam has established friendship associations with eight member countries. These organizations have served as practical bridges connecting the peoples of Southeast Asia, fostering mutual understanding and trust, and deepening cooperation across a wide range of fields, from politics, security, economics, trade, and investment to culture, education, sports, and tourism.

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