Thailand’s leading newspaper Prachachat has acknowledged Vietnam’s great contributions to ASEAN’s initiatives, saying that Vietnam has made good preparations and had much experience in leading the ASEAN community to a higher level of integration in the digital transition.

Vietnam has initiated 13 major economic projects presented at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Nha Trang in January, and has boosted ASEAN to implement a three-dimension strategy to gain economic achievements and consolidate a prosperous and sustainable ASEAN community.

According to Matichon, another major Thai newspaper, 3 weeks after Vietnam took over the ASEAN Chairmanship from Thailand, Vietnam and ASEAN faced an unexpected crisis - the COVID-19 epidemic.

But Vietnam made a prompt and decisive response. By taking coordinated measures, the number of coronavirus infections in Vietnam has been kept very low. Vietnam is surviving the COVID-19 crisis with its economy relatively intact.

Veteran reporter Kavi Chongkittavorn of the Bangkok Post said Vietnam has a lot of lessons to share with other members, especially in regards to trade and investment strategies.