Vietnam stands with AIPA to realize ASEAN Community Vision 2045
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man of Vietnam made a firm commitment at the 46th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-46), held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on September 18.
He emphasized that under the theme “Inclusive and Sustainable,” ASEAN has achieved significant and solid results in maintaining peace, stability, and promoting prosperity in the region. Correspondingly, the theme of AIPA-46, “Parliament at the Forefront for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable ASEAN,” highlights the leading role of legislative bodies in creating a future of equitable development opportunities and shared prosperity for all ASEAN peoples.
Looking back on nearly 60 years of formation and development, the Chairman underscored that ASEAN has made strong progress, overcoming numerous challenges to build a dynamic economic community, a socially cohesive region, and a global presence of increasing influence. As a central hub in regional cooperation, the bloc has brought together a wide array of partners in a multi-layered network, collectively promoting dialogue and cooperation for peace, stability, and shared prosperity. People-to-people relationships have become deeper and stronger, and ASEAN’s awareness and identity have continued to grow and spread.
The Vietnamese leader highlighted that this development journey has been built on the synergistic efforts of ASEAN and AIPA. AIPA and its member parliaments have consistently played a responsible role, standing alongside and supporting governments to implement agreements and cooperative commitments, ensuring that the interests and voices of the people are reflected in ASEAN’s decisions.
Amid rapidly evolving regional and global developments, the Chairman emphasized the pivotal role of AIPA in driving more effective regional cooperation. He stressed the need for AIPA to serve as a bridge, creating opportunities for all sectors and stakeholders to actively engage in realizing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. He proposed that AIPA should continue leading the way in shaping institutions and policies to translate regional commitments into action, with particular focus on science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, reported VOV.
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| National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man of Vietnam speaks at the 46th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-46), in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on September 18. |
Beyond policy and institutional development, he underscored the importance of strengthening the social foundations that support regional collaboration. As representatives of the people, AIPA’s role extends to fostering exchanges, promoting solidarity, and deepening friendships across ASEAN societies.
The Chairman encouraged AIPA to prioritize initiatives that cultivate a shared sense of community and identity, enhance communication, and expand cooperation in culture, education, and tourism. Moreover, he called for more active exchanges, both among parliamentarians themselves and between lawmakers and citizens, to reinforce bonds across the region.
The Chairman also suggested that AIPA should further expand and deepen its foreign relations, reinforcing ASEAN’s role as a central hub in regional and global networks. He warmly welcomed observer parliaments attending the General Assembly and many parliaments on the path to becoming AIPA partners.
In the current context of multiple global and regional challenges, Vietnam seeks to develop mutually beneficial relations with all countries and partners, thereby expanding development space, diversifying markets, and responding effectively to shared challenges, he said.
Chairman Man expressed his belief that with solidarity and determination of member parliaments, AIPA-46 would achieve significant outcomes, bringing ASEAN closer to a future of inclusive, sustainable growth and prosperity.
Vietnam, Cambodia strengthen defense cooperation
Major General Nguyen Ba Luc, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, on September 18 hosted a reception in Hanoi for visiting Lieutenant General Nim Balene, Director of the Department of Operations under the High Command of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.
Maj. Gen. Luc underlined the traditional friendship and sound neighbourliness between Vietnam and Cambodia, stressing that Vietnam always attaches great importance and gives top priority to consolidating and developing the “good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability” with Cambodia. He thanked the Cambodian People’s Party, the State, and the Ministry of National Defense for sending a high-level delegation to attend the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day of Vietnam, including Cambodian troops participating in the national military parade.
Luc expressed delight at the fruitful outcomes of Vietnam–Cambodia defense cooperation, which has remained a key pillar of bilateral relations. Highlights include delegation exchanges at all levels, particularly high-level visits; the Defense Policy Dialogue mechanism, consultations, and information exchange; training and drills; land and maritime border management and protection; twinning and friendship exchanges; joint communications on bilateral solidarity; the search and repatriation of fallen Vietnamese soldiers’ remains; mutual assistance; as well as coordination and support at multilateral forums, according to VNA.
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| Major General Nguyen Ba Luc (R) presents a gift to Lieutenant General Nim Balene. (Photo: Qdnd.vn) |
The host appreciated the close cooperation between the two Departments of Operations, particularly in sharing professional experience, coordinating research, assessing and forecasting the situation, and advising their respective Ministries of National Defense on strategic guidelines and solutions.
He suggested the two sides continue information exchange and coordination to provide timely and effective advice for their leaders, while also effectively implementing the 2025 cooperation plan between the two defense ministries. He affirmed that the leadership of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army always supports and facilitates enhanced cooperation between the two departments, contributing to further deepening bilateral defense ties.
For his part, Lieu. Gen. Nim Balene reported on the results of talks between the two Departments of Operations. He noted that the two sides have maintained exchanges of information on criminal activities and shared professional experience to ensure security and order along the shared border. Moving forward, the two countries will continue to promote the search and repatriation of Vietnamese martyrs who fell in Cambodia, and conduct joint patrols to maintain a border of peace, cooperation and development.
Halal industry – new momentum for Vietnam-Malaysia cooperation
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on September 18 received representatives from several Malaysian associations and enterprises to promote bilateral trade and investment cooperation in general and the development of the Halal industry in particular.
The meetings took place within the framework of Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s trip to attend the 46th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter‑Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-46) and pay an official visit to Malaysia.
At the meeting, President of the Malaysia–Vietnam Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) Richard Khor expressed his wish for strengthened cooperation so that Vietnamese companies can use Malaysia as a platform to expand the production of Halal products globally, as well as to support Vietnamese companies in obtaining Halal certification from JAKIM - the Malaysian Government agency responsible for managing and issuing international Halal certification.
Appreciating the MVCC’s cooperation initiatives, Ha stated that Vietnam regards the development of the Halal industry as a new and important direction to unlock the global Halal market and foster new growth drivers. Although Halal is a new sector, Vietnam is making efforts to establish its position on the global Halal map.
According to the official, Vietnam is building a Halal testing laboratory system, so the MVCC will connect with Halal regulatory agencies to support the dispatch of experts for training, experience sharing, and technology transfer to operate Halal laboratories that meet Malaysian standards and gain international recognition.
Once the laboratories meet the necessary standards, investments in Halal production, business, and trade will increase. He emphasised that Vietnam has several advantages for developing the Halal industry compared to other countries in the region. These advantages include a young and skilled workforce as well as an abundance of diverse local raw materials.
Ha proposed that future cooperation on Halal should focus on promoting negotiations, signing, and mutual recognition of Halal certification; welcoming investment in Halal-related sectors such as agriculture, tourism, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and supporting industries; facilitating Halal certification for Vietnamese products to participate in the global supply chain; cooperating in experience sharing, legal and technical support, training, and human resources development for this industry; and supporting the promotion and marketing of Vietnamese products and services in the global Halal market, reported VNA.
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| Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (R) receives President of the Malaysia–Vietnam Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) Richard Khor. (Photo: VNA) |
In addition to the Halal sector, the Deputy PM suggested the MVCC introduce reputable member companies to explore business and investment opportunities in Vietnam in other fields such as energy, real estate, digital transformation, green transition, energy infrastructure, telecommunications, education, and healthcare through forms of direct investment or joint ventures.
To better support enterprises, he also proposed the chamber consider opening a representative office in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi in the near future.
Richard Khor noted that, along with supporting Malaysian enterprises to invest and do business in Vietnam, Malaysia also hopes to see more Vietnamese companies invest in Malaysia in such sectors as electronics, semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, and food processing.
Also on September 18, Ha received Azlan Azri Zainal Abidin, manager in charge of Industrial and Logistics Development at Sime Darby Property Berhad, one of Malaysia’s major real estate developers with numerous urban, industrial, and energy projects. Azlan expressed his desire to cooperate with Vietnam in developing industrial zones and logistics, as well as green and smart urban areas.
Ha stated that building and developing a system of green, smart, modern, and sustainable urban areas, industrial zones, and logistics facilities with a good environment and quality of life is one of Vietnam’s top priorities to accelerate the pace and quality of urbanization and urban economic development.
Vietnam encourages foreign enterprises with technology, capacity, and experience to invest in infrastructure development, strategic infrastructure in transport, major urban centers, clean energy, industrial zones, and logistics. Such cooperation will help enhance investment attraction, create momentum for socio-economic development, and improve national competitiveness, he said.
Typhoon Mitag forms in East Sea with winds up to level 10
A tropical depression that entered the East Sea last night has strengthened into a typhoon, becoming the eighth storm of the year. Internationally named Mitag, the storm currently features winds gusting up to level 10.
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, by midday on September 18, the tropical depression intensified into a typhoon, officially recognized as Typhoon No. 8 with the international name "Mitag." The name Mitag was assigned by Micronesia. In the Yapese language, Mitag is a female name meaning “my eyes.”
As of 1 p.m., the storm’s center was located near 19.9°N latitude and 118.4°E longitude, in the northeastern part of the northern East Sea. The maximum sustained winds near the center reached level 8 (62-74 km/h), with gusts up to level 10. The storm was moving northwest at a speed of 15-20 km/h.
Forecasts for the next 24 hours suggest that Typhoon No. 8 will continue on its northwest path, strengthening to level 9. It is expected to make landfall in China’s Guangdong Province by the evening of September 19 before weakening and gradually dissipating. It is unlikely to have a direct impact on Vietnam, cited VNN.
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| Path of Typhoon No. 8 as of the afternoon of September 18. Source: Vietnam Disaster Monitoring System. |
Forecast for the next 24 to 72 hours:
Due to the influence of Typhoon No. 8, the northeastern part of the northern East Sea will experience strong winds ranging from levels 6 to 7, with gusts reaching level 9. Areas near the storm’s center will experience wind levels 8 to 9, with gusts up to level 11. Wave heights will range from 3 to 5 meters. The sea will be extremely rough.
All vessels operating in the affected areas face high risks from thunderstorms, squalls, strong winds, and high waves.
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