Vietnam PM meets with Lao, Malaysian counterparts in Philippines
Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on May 8 met with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines.
Meeting with his Lao counterpart, PM Hung affirmed that the Vietnamese Government will work closely with PM Sonexay and the Lao Government to effectively implement agreements reached by the two countries’ high-ranking leaders, outcomes of visits by senior leaders of the two Parties and States, and the results of the 48th meeting of the Vietnam – Laos Intergovernmental Committee, thereby creating new momentum for bilateral cooperation.
PM Sonexay expressed his pleasure at meeting PM Hung on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, saying the meeting reflected the importance both sides attach to exchanges on measures and orientations to further strengthen the great friendship, special solidarity, and strategic cohesion between the two countries.
PM Sonexay expressed confidence that under the leadership of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam, PM Hung, together with the Vietnamese Party and Government, will lead Vietnam to achieve many accomplishments, fulfill its development goals, and become a high-income developed country.
The Lao PM extended his regards to Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu, and other Vietnamese leaders, while inviting PM Hung to pay an official visit to Laos at an early date.
Thanking Vietnam for its active and effective support to Laos over the past time, including sending experts to assist Laos in formulating socio-economic development plans and helping the country cope with the energy crisis caused by the Middle East conflict, PM Sonexay said this also presents an opportunity for the two countries to strengthen cooperation in renewable and clean energy development, reduce dependence on imported fuels, and move towards energy self-reliance and security.
He added that the Lao Government has been actively and urgently directing the implementation of high-level agreements between the two countries, focusing on key strategic cooperation projects with Vietnam in infrastructure development, such as the Vientiane – Vung Ang railway and the Vientiane – Vinh expressway, as well as in energy security cooperation. He agreed that the two countries’ joint committee should review the implementation progress of these projects and report to their leaders.
PM Hung stressed that Vietnam always gives the highest priority to the Vietnam – Laos relationship and will continue joining Laos in nurturing and deepening bilateral cooperation in a sustainable and practical manner for the benefit of the two countries' people.
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| Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (right) and his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone at their meeting in Cebu on May 8 (Photo: VNA) |
To further concretize the “Vietnam – Laos strategic cohesion” framework, the Vietnamese PM proposed that both sides continue improving the effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms, strengthen review, inspection and supervision work, and require ministries, sectors, localities and enterprises of both countries to show greater responsibility in implementing strategic cooperation projects linking the two economies, especially in transport and energy.
The two PMs also agreed on several orientations for future cooperation, including strengthening political trust, maintaining exchanges of high-level and all-level delegations and cooperation mechanisms, and coordinating in preparing for activities marking the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam – Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 2027.
They also agreed to further promote the security-defence cooperation pillar; create breakthroughs in economic, trade and investment cooperation in the spirit of “strategic cohesion”, prioritising key transport and energy infrastructure projects; renew cooperation in education and human resources training in a more practical and effective direction; pay greater attention to locality-to-locality cooperation, especially in border areas; closely coordinate at regional and international forums; and improve the effectiveness of Vietnam – Laos – Cambodia trilateral cooperation mechanisms, particularly meetings among the leaders of the three Parties and Governments and trilateral meetings on the sidelines of ASEAN summits.
During his meeting with PM Hung, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he always respects President Ho Chi Minh and admires Vietnam’s struggle for national independence. He expressed his impression of Vietnam’s economic growth and the Government’s efforts to advance science and technology development as a new growth driver, affirming that Malaysia considers Vietnam an important partner and wishes to further strengthen bilateral ties.
PM Anwar also respectfully invited PM Hung to visit Malaysia soon to continue discussions on orientations for enhancing bilateral relations.
For his part, the Vietnamese Government leader thanked PM Anwar for his good sentiments towards Vietnam and highly appreciated the early establishment of economic relations between Malaysian businesses and banks and Vietnamese peers through many successful projects. He affirmed that Vietnam’s foreign policy is to attach importance to relations with Malaysia and expressed his hope that both sides will work closely together to advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in November 2024.
Discussing measures to promote bilateral ties in the coming time, the two leaders agreed to continue strengthening strategic trust through high-level and all-level delegation exchanges, expand trade and investment cooperation, and actively implement cooperation projects in energy, oil and gas, science and technology, digital transformation, innovation and artificial intelligence.
They also consented to promote electricity trading cooperation through the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) and trilateral cooperation among Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore.
On this occasion, the two sides exchanged views on several regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung calls for ratification of ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung called for ratification and effective implementation of the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement in a bid to ensure essential security requirements of ASEAN Member States.
Le made the call while delivering his remarks at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines on May 8.
Essential security needs encompass energy security, food security, and human security, he added.
The Vietnamese Prime Minister also called for effective implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) for the 2026-2030 period, the ASEAN Power Grid, and the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline.
He stressed the need for ASEAN to diversify energy sources, promote energy transition, and enhance access to green finance and advanced technologies while improving the effectiveness of the existing food security frameworks and agreements in the region
The Prime Minister underscored the need to enhance strategic reserves and establish emergency reserve mechanisms for rice and other essential goods, VGP reported.
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| Prime Minister Le Minh Hung at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines, May 8, 2026. Photo: VGP |
He affirmed that Vietnam stands ready to provide food assistance in emergency situations, share related experience with other ASEAN Member States, and continue close coordination with the regional peers in citizen protection.
Le also called for substantive cooperation in promoting ASEAN's resilience through fruitful implementation of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and prompt conclusion of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).
Last but not least, Prime Minister Le called on ASEAN Member States to foster ASEAN coordination and solidarity, including improving the effectiveness of inter-disciplinary consultation and coordination in emergency situations, promoting the coordinating role of the ASEAN Secretariat to ensure smooth, synchronous and effective implementation of the regional commitments.
Vietnam, Singapore strengthen supreme court cooperation
A high-ranking delegation of the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam, led by Chief Justice Nguyen Van Quang, paid a working visit to Singapore from May 5-8 to strengthen cooperation between the two countries’ supreme courts and exchange experience in establishing and operating a specialized court at the Vietnam International Financial Center.
During a reception for the delegation, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Singapore Sundaresh Menon expressed his pleasure at the growing cooperation between the two judicial bodies.
Quang affirmed that Vietnam highly values Singapore’s experience in settling international commercial disputes and proposed the Supreme Court of Singapore support Vietnam in developing the specialized court through advanced training programs for Vietnamese judges and court officials, as well as professional placements in Singapore.
Menon affirmed Singapore’s readiness to support Vietnam during the establishment and operation of the specialized court, organise professional training, send international judges currently serving at the Singapore International Commercial Court to Vietnam for exchanges, receive Vietnamese judges for internships, and coordinate with relevant agencies to provide master’s scholarships in law for Vietnamese court officials, cited VNA.
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| The Vietnamese delegation holds a working session with representatives of Singapore’s Ministry of Law. (Photo: VNA) |
Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Singapore, Deputy Chief Justice Le Tien said the two sides agreed to continue exchanging information and experience, with priority given to cooperation in training and capacity building in the field of international commercial dispute settlement.
They also agreed in principle to study and develop a cooperation agreement covering the organisation and operation of the specialized court at the Vietnam International Financial Center, as well as cooperation in matters relating to bankruptcy and cross-border affairs, he added.
Earlier, the delegation held working sessions with Singapore’s Ministry of Law. Senior Minister of State for Law Murali Pillai shared Singapore’s experience in developing a multi-track international commercial dispute resolution model through courts, arbitration and mediation.
During the visit, the delegation also studied the organisational structure and operational model of the Singapore International Commercial Court, and had a working session with Singapore International Arbitration Center and other institutions involved in international commercial dispute resolution.
Vietnam among top five destinations for extended travel
Canadian luxury travel magazine Drift Travel has highlighted Vietnam as one of the top destinations for extended travel and long escapes, citing the country’s diverse landscapes ranging from mountains and plains to coastlines and islands.
The magazine noted that Vietnam’s geography is particularly well-suited to extended travel as the country follows a single north-south route. Most journeys begin in either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City and continue toward the opposite end via the North-South railway.
“This layout allows you to stop in cities like Hue and Da Nang without needing to backtrack or rely on internal flights,” it noted.
According to Drift Travel, Hanoi’s Old Quarter is best explored through its traditional trade streets around Hoan Kiem Lake, while further south in Hue, the Imperial Citadel and royal tombs along the Perfume River require several days to fully explore.
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| Terraced rice fields in Tuyen Quang province, northern Vietnam. |
“The transition between these destinations works best when stops are grouped strategically, such as combining the mountains of Sapa with the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay,” the magazine noted.
By following this north-south route, distances become more manageable. Instead of relying on a series of disconnected flights, travellers can experience a gradual shift in scenery from the northern highlands to the Mekong Delta in the south.
“After a few weeks on the ground, the connections between the major cities and the smaller riverside towns become much easier to understand,” Drift Travel concluded.
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