Vietnam, Thailand political parties seek closer ties

Politburo member, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and head of the committee’s Commission for Internal Affairs Le Minh Tri received Isra Sunthornvut, deputy leader of Thailand’s Democrat Party, in Hanoi on June 7.

Isra Sunthornvut is leading a Democrat Party delegation on a working visit to Vietnam and to attend the seminar “The role of Southeast Asian political parties in building the ASEAN Community” held within the framework of the third ASEAN Future Forum.

At the reception, Tri warmly welcomed the delegation and highly appreciated its participation in the seminar, describing it as a meaningful contribution to strengthening regional cooperation and promoting peace, stability and sustainable development in ASEAN.

The Vietnamese official highlighted the country's major achievements after 40 years of the Doi Moi (Renewal) process, as well as key development orientations and goals adopted at the CPV's 14th National Congress to usher the nation into a new era of development. He noted that Vietnam is focusing on institutional reform, building a socialist rule-of-law state, improving the quality of human resources, and advancing science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

Introducing the functions and responsibilities of the Commission for Internal Affairs as the Party’s strategic advisory body on internal affairs, rule-of-law state building and judicial reform, Tri stressed the importance of Party building and rectification, prevention and control of corruption, wastefulness and negative phenomena, and judicial reform in establishing transparent, effective governance centred on the people and based on the rule of law.

Regarding Vietnam’s foreign policy, he underscored the significance of the keynote address delivered by General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and State President To Lam at the recent Shangri-La Dialogue, saying it reflected Vietnam’s perspectives, vision and approach to regional and international issues.

For his part, Isra Sunthornvut thanked the Communist Party of Vietnam and Tri personally for the warm reception, while praising Vietnam’s initiative to organise the seminar of Southeast Asian political parties. He described the event as a practical and important forum for enhancing solidarity among political parties in the region, promoting mutual understanding and strengthening ASEAN’s collective role and voice in addressing common challenges.

The Thai official also expressed admiration for Vietnam’s development achievements, strategic orientations and future goals, affirming that the Democrat Party always attaches importance to its friendship and cooperation with the CPV as well as the Vietnam–Thailand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Discussing bilateral relations, Tri stressed that Vietnam–Thailand ties are currently at their strongest since the establishment of diplomatic relations 50 years ago, particularly following the recent official visit to Thailand by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, according to VNA.

Politburo member, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and head of the committee’s Commission for Internal Affairs Le Minh Tri and Isra Sunthornvut, deputy leader of Thailand’s Democrat Party, Hanoi, June 7 (Photo: VNA)

He welcomed the progress achieved in bilateral cooperation and within ASEAN, and proposed that the two parties intensify delegation exchanges and regular dialogue mechanisms to strengthen political trust.

He also suggested expanding exchanges of experience in building the rule-of-law state, institutional reform, judicial reform, improving national governance and combating corruption, while promoting cooperation among strategic research institutions, scholars, experts, youth and women's organizations of the two countries. He further called for continued close coordination at multilateral forums, especially within ASEAN.

Isra Sunthornvut affirmed that the Thai Democrat Party stands ready to enhance exchanges and share experience in areas of mutual interest, while continuing to actively participate in regional political party dialogue initiatives promoted by Vietnam.

The two sides agreed to further strengthen relations between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Democrat Party of Thailand, contributing to the consolidation of the Vietnam–Thailand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the benefit of the two countries' people and for peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Regional leaders gather in Hanoi to shape ASEAN’s next chapter

The ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) 2026 will take place in Hanoi on June 9-10 under the theme "Shaping Our Shared Future: Peace, Prosperity and People-Centered Development."

According to Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong, this year's theme reflects the core priorities that ASEAN and the wider region are pursuing.

Peace remains the essential foundation for development. Prosperity is the common goal shared by all member states, while placing people at the center reflects the guiding spirit of the ASEAN Community.

"The future of the region cannot be shaped without the participation of its people, who are both contributors to and beneficiaries of the cooperation process," Cuong said.

For that reason, AFF has been designed as an open platform for dialogue, bringing together not only political leaders but also scholars, businesses, young people, civil society organizations, political parties and local authorities.

Reinforcing ASEAN centrality

Speaking at the 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue, General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized the importance of building an open and inclusive regional architecture with ASEAN at its center.

He stressed that ASEAN centrality cannot be taken for granted and must instead be reinforced through unity, strategic autonomy and the ability to shape a common regional agenda.

AFF 2026 is intended to carry that vision forward through regional dialogue.

The forum will provide a venue for ASEAN and its partners to discuss ways to preserve the bloc's central role in an increasingly complex strategic environment, ensuring that new initiatives and mechanisms complement rather than weaken ASEAN-led cooperation frameworks.

Deputy Foreign Minister Cuong said Vietnam's decision to initiate and consistently organize the forum, alongside its active participation in regional and international mechanisms, reflects the country's role as a responsible and constructive member of the international community.

He added that such efforts represent Vietnam's practical contribution to peace, stability and development across the region.

Resilience through cooperation

Resilience has emerged as another key theme of this year's forum.

According to Cuong, resilience is a vital requirement in a rapidly changing and unpredictable world.

"Resilience does not mean isolation or standing alone," he said. "For small and medium-sized countries, and for a regional grouping such as ASEAN, genuine resilience is achieved through cooperation. A country that withdraws into itself does not become safer; it simply becomes easier to overlook."

He argued that lasting strength comes not from isolation but from becoming an indispensable part of multiple cooperative networks, making it more difficult for any single actor to exert unilateral pressure.

When member states strengthen connectivity, share resources, integrate infrastructure and coordinate policies, each nation becomes more resilient, and so does the wider community, VNN reported.

Leaders of ASEAN member states attend the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines. Photo: Nhat Bac

"A resilient ASEAN is one that turns connectivity into a source of collective strength," he said.

Bringing regional issues closer to people

The same philosophy is reflected in this year's discussions, which will cover topics ranging from regional solidarity and conflict prevention to artificial intelligence governance and energy security.

Officials say a key objective is to make major policy challenges more relevant to everyday life.

This includes promoting a people-centered approach to artificial intelligence, helping citizens adapt to the digital economy, narrowing digital divides, advancing green transitions and strengthening energy security while delivering tangible benefits to communities.

"All of these efforts are aimed at reinforcing ASEAN's capacity for self-reliance through cooperation," Cuong explained.

High-level participation

Four ASEAN prime ministers are expected to visit Vietnam and attend the forum alongside official bilateral engagements.

They include Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao.

Their participation underscores both regional solidarity and Vietnam's proactive role within ASEAN.

According to the Deputy Foreign Minister, AFF 2026 will also feature two notable firsts.

For the first time, the forum will host a dedicated session on cooperation among political parties in Southeast Asia, creating a new channel of dialogue to complement government-to-government engagement.

In addition, Hanoi will host the inaugural ASEAN Cities Leaders Conference, bringing local governments into discussions on regional cooperation.

Alongside side events focusing on the Mekong sub-region, Southeast Asian youth and AI governance, the participation of political parties, city leaders, young people and businesses highlights the forum's broad and inclusive nature.

Contributing to ASEAN policymaking

Following its first two editions in 2024 and 2025, a number of ideas and recommendations generated at the forum were reflected in ASEAN summit documents and policy discussions.

This has reinforced the forum's reputation as more than an academic gathering, demonstrating its practical contribution to ASEAN's formal decision-making processes.

Vietnam hopes AFF 2026 will generate additional perspectives, policy recommendations and innovative ideas to support the continued development of the ASEAN Community.

Through the forum, Vietnam also seeks to reaffirm its role as an active and responsible member of the region while advancing the country's broader foreign policy and international integration objectives.

Vietnamese community in Germany’s NRW state joins hands for sustainable development

The Vietnamese NRW Forum 2026, themed “Connection - Support - Integration - Development,” was held recently in Düsseldorf, the capital of Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) state.

The event aims to create a “ common home” for the Vietnamese community in NRW and drew the participation of businesspeople, intellectuals, students and community representatives.

Among those attending the forum were Vietnamese Consul General in Frankfurt Luu Xuan Dong; Ha Thi Lam Hong, Science and Technology Counsellor at the Vietnamese Embassy in Germany; Le Thanh Nam, Director of Kim Phi GmbH; Dr. Vu Thi Thanh Huong, a representative of a Vietnamese students' association; and a large number of community members.

Speaking on behalf of the organising committee, Le Thanh Nam said the forum aimed to provide a platform for meetings and connections among Vietnamese people in NRW, discuss issues related to community life, and exchange views on plans to establish a representative organization for the Vietnamese community in the state in the future.

At the forum, the mobilisation committee for the establishment of the Vietnamese Association in NRW presented its major orientations and objectives, including strengthening community connections; serving as a bridge between Vietnam and Germany; supporting integration and accompanying younger generations while preserving Vietnamese culture, language and national identity; promoting educational, cultural, sports and charitable activities; fostering economic and professional cooperation as well as the development of the Vietnamese business community; and connecting with, expressing appreciation to and supporting earlier generations of Vietnamese people.

Addressing the forum, Consul General Luu Xuan Dong stressed that NRW, Germany’s most populous state with more than 18 million residents, is home to a large Vietnamese community, making the establishment of a Vietnamese association in NRW a necessary undertaking.

He said that, as part of its responsibility for Germany’s western states, the Consulate General of Vietnam in Frankfurt is always ready to accompany and support the Vietnamese community in NRW in organising activities such as Vietnamese-language classes and community Tet (Lunar New Year festival) celebrations to help strengthen community bonds.

Ha Thi Lam Hong spoke highly of the preparation work, commitment and capacity of the mobilisation committee. She also suggested that the future association consider establishing a network of Vietnamese intellectuals in NRW to support activities in Vietnam.

NRW has 14 universities and more than 50 postgraduate training institutions, including renowned German universities such as RWTH Aachen University, the University of Cologne (Universität zu Köln) and the University of Duisburg-Essen (Universität Duisburg-Essen).

Participants, particularly representatives of Vietnamese student associations in Düsseldorf, Bochum and Duisburg-Essen, shared practical suggestions and ideas on the future direction of the Vietnamese Association in NRW and its action plans in the coming period, reported VOV.

Participants attend the Vietnamese NRW Forum 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Although the effort to establish a Vietnamese association in NRW began later than in many other parts of Germany, one notable feature has been the participation from the outset of students, intellectuals and other young, dynamic and enthusiastic members of the community, including second- and third-generation Vietnamese in Germany.

This is expected to help revive community bonds at a time when many first-generation Vietnamese have grown older while younger generations born in Germany tend to be less engaged in community-building activities.

The Vietnamese NRW Forum 2026 concluded in a spirit of solidarity, responsibility and determination to build an increasingly developed, integrated and sustainable community.

NRW is one of Germany’s economic engines and has the largest GDP among the country’s 16 states. In 2024, it became the first German state with a nominal GDP exceeding US$1 trillion.

Vietnamese students in Beijing nurture aspirations to contribute to Vietnam–China friendship

The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the Vietnamese Students’ Association in Beijing on June 6 held a program honouring graduates of 2026, reaffirming the role of young people in promoting people-to-people exchanges and strengthening Vietnam–China friendship.

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Students’ Association President Do Van Thanh said through years of academic endeavour, research and adaptation to linguistic and cultural differences, Vietnamese students have grown in confidence, knowledge and determination to contribute to their families, communities and country.

He noted that their degrees symbolise not only academic success but also resilience and perseverance in an international environment.

Hoang Mai Dien, First Secretary in charge of education at the Vietnamese Embassy in China, highlighted the strong growth of educational cooperation between the two countries, particularly following the 2022 bilateral education agreement.

He noted that the number of Vietnamese students in China has risen to about 25,000, more than double the 11,299 recorded in 2018, reflecting both the appeal of Chinese education and Vietnam’s demand for highly skilled human resources, cited VNA.

An overview of the event (Photo: VNA)

Dien added that Vietnamese students have actively participated in academic and community activities, serving as young ambassadors and helping strengthen ties between the two countries' people.

Many graduates shared valuable experience gained from China’s dynamic academic and research environment and expressed their determination to return home to contribute to education, innovation and national development.

The program highlighted the aspirations of Vietnamese youth to acquire advanced knowledge, enhance international integration and serve their homeland, while continuing to act as bridges of friendship contributing to the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Vietnam and China in the new stage.

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