Vietnam Intensifies Strategic Partnerships at ASEAN Summit

At the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Vietnam deepened regional ties, including trilateral cooperation with Laos and Cambodia across politics, defence, energy, infrastructure, tourism, education and digital transformation, citing recent defence talks, a joint disaster-rescue exercise and a Vietnam-supported digital ID for Laos. Vietnam held sideline talks with Singapore, launching a plan of action to implement their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership covering renewable energy, technology and agri‑trade; Singapore’s prime minister will visit South Korea Oct 30–Nov 2 for APEC and bilateral talks. Thailand and Vietnam agreed to accelerate their comprehensive strategic partnership, focusing on renewable energy cooperation, banking liberalisation to attract Thai investment, and enhanced Mekong sub-region leadership. Vietnam’s foreign minister told Euractiv that after 35 years of ties and five years of the EVFTA two-way trade with the EU has grown strongly (10–20% annually), the EU is a top investor and ODA partner, and cooperation is deepening on judicial reform, climate and sustainable development. Vietnam is also pursuing broader strategic upgrades and high-level outreach — including a Strategic Partnership with Finland and talks with Australia, Canada, Brazil and Russia — to boost trade, investment, defence, climate cooperation, education and infrastructure projects.