(VOVWORLD) - March 30th marks the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Malaysia diplomatic relations (March 30, 1973-March 30, 2023). Over the past 5 decades, Vietnam and Malaysia have been close partners bilaterally and in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
 Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato Tan Yang Thai (Huong Tra) |
Malaysia and Vietnam have a long history of cooperation on various fields. The two countries always give high priority to strengthening friendly and cooperative relations.
Outstanding cooperation results
In 2015 Vietnam and Malaysia upgraded their cooperation to a strategic partnership. The two countries have adopted two Action Plans to enhance their partnership. The first one, in the 2017-2019 period, was successfully implemented, resulting in strong and mutually beneficial cooperation in many fields. The second one, in the 2021-2025 period, is being implemented with many new cooperation initiatives, especially in economics.
Malaysia is Vietnam’s 10th largest foreign investor with more than 700 projects worth 13 billion USD.
Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato Tan Yang Thai said: “Vietnam continues to be one of the most attractive destinations for foreign investors, including Malaysians. With a strong economy, foreign direct investment capital pouring into the Vietnamese market has steadily increased in recent years. Malaysian investors are cooperating with Vietnamese partners in lucrative areas such as agriculture, fisheries, Halal foods, and electronic products.”
Last year bilateral trade revenue totaled 14.7 billion USD. In the first two months of 2023, bilateral trade totaled 1.94 billion USD. The leaders of the two countries have agreed to raise bilateral trade revenue to 18 billion USD by 2025.
Sending Vietnamese workers to Malaysia has been an effective area of cooperation. It has helped to meet Malaysia's high demand for labor while employing hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese workers. Official statistics show that there are 12,000 Vietnamese working legally in Malaysia.
Vietnam and Malaysia share similar views on many global issues and domestic policies.
During Malaysian Prime Minister Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob’s visit to Vietnam last March, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said: “Vietnam and Malaysia have come a long way in developing their relationship, an important landmark being the establishment of a strategic partnership in 2015, which is now developing very strongly, effectively, and efficiently. With goodwill and effort on both sides, the Vietnam-Malaysia strategic partnership will continue to flourish.”
 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Malaysian Prime Minister Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob during his visit to Vietnam in March, 2022. (photo: Nhat Bac) |
Close, trustful relationship
The two countries maintain a close and trusting relationship within key organizations like ASEAN, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the UN, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). They share the same points of view on ASEAN's central role in the regional security architecture, the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and the need to soon finalize a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
Malaysia has supported Vietnam in holding important posts in regional and global organizations, such as ASEAN Chairman in 2020 and non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) in the 2020-2021 term. Vietnam has backed Malaysia’s membership in the International Marine Organization (IMO) and the UN Human Right Council (UNHRC) for the 2022-2024 term.
Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato Tan Yang Thai said: “Malaysia has invited Vietnam to join the Malaysia Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP), part of the Malaysian government’s commitment to boost technical cooperation among developing countries, enhance regional and sub-regional cooperation, and promote the collective self-reliance of developing countries. Both countries should make full use of initiatives at bilateral and multilateral forums for trade ties.”
Cooperation results over the last 5 decades have strengthened the long-term friendly relationship and strategic partnership of Vietnam and Malaysia, which are the foundation for the two countries to achieve future development goals.