(VOVWORLD) - Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse will pay a state visit to Indonesia, an official visit to the ASEAN Secretariat in Indonesia, and an official visit to Singapore from Sunday to Thursday. The trip is at the invitation of President of Indonesia and President of the Great Indonesia Movement Party Prabowo Subianto, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, and Prime Minister of Singapore and Secretary-General of its People's Action Party (PAP) Lawrence Wong.
 Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse. (Photo: VNA) |
Mr. Lam’s visit will be the first by a Vietnamese Party General Secretary to Indonesia since 2017, and to Singapore since 2012. It also marks the first visit by a Vietnamese Party leader to the ASEAN Secretariat. As strategic partners in ASEAN, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore share strong political trust and dynamic bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.
Prospects for new cooperation milestones
In 1955 Indonesia became the first country in Southeast Asia to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam. Over the past 7 decades, and especially since the establishment of a strategic partnership in 2013, bilateral cooperation has grown. Indonesia is Vietnam's second largest trading partner in ASEAN, and Vietnam is Indonesia's fourth largest trading partner in ASEAN.
Bilateral trade turnover has quadrupled in the past 10 years, reaching 16.7 billion USD in 2024. The two countries share similar views on regional and global issues, particularly the East Sea issue, and building an international order based on international law and standards.
 Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Denny Abdi. |
The first visit by a Vietnamese Party General Secretary to Indonesia since 2017 is getting significant attention from both nations, Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Denny Abdi said.
Mr. Lam is scheduled to attend a business forum on trade, investment, and economic cooperation. Both sides aim to elevate their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the highest level of relationship, said Ambassador Abdi.
Both countries are prepared to deepen their partnership, aiming to realize their shared vision of achieving high-income status by 2045, he noted.
Vietnam-Singapore relations have flourished over the past five decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1973 and a strategic partnership in 2013. Both countries have effectively implemented bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the Ministerial Conference on Economic Connectivity.
As a regional economic powerhouse, Singapore is one of Vietnam’s top economic partners. Bilateral trade and investment ties have grown significantly, yielding substantial achievements.
Singapore is ASEAN’s largest investor and the world’s second-largest investor in Vietnam. The 18 Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) across 13 provinces and cities have attracted over 18.7 billion USD in investment and created jobs for more than 300,000 Vietnamese workers. In 2024, bilateral trade reached 10.3 billion USD.
The Green Economy-Digital Economy Partnership is unlocking new opportunities for cooperation in high-potential sectors, further strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
Affirming Vietnam’s external policy in ASEAN
General Secretary To Lam's visit to the ASEAN Secretariat affirms Vietnam’s high regard for ASEAN in its external policy. The visit, which will take place on the 30th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to ASEAN in 1995, demonstrates the country’s determination to make practical contributions to the future of ASEAN.
Over the past 30 years, Vietnam's contributions have been integral to ASEAN’s development, said ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn.
"As the ASEAN President, a member of the ASEAN Secretariat, or the coordinator with dialogue partners, Vietnam is always a positive member. At international forums, Vietnam also always promotes the interests of ASEAN nations. Vietnam has always been an active, proactive member with big contributions to ASEAN," he said.
Party leader Lam’s visit will create new opportunities for Vietnam to enhance its cooperation with Indonesia, Singapore, and ASEAN. It aims to strengthen political trust, deepen existing collaborations, and explore emerging fields, particularly in science and technology, the digital economy, and the green economy.
As ASEAN members, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore will use this visit to reinforce their ties and exchange views on regional and global issues. Strengthening these relationships will contribute to ASEAN’s unity, resilience, and sustainable development.