Hanoi - The heart connecting Vietnam with ASEAN

The Hanoi People's Diplomacy Conference: 30 years of accompanying and developing Vietnam-ASEAN relations attracted the participation of more than 100 delegates, including domestic and international diplomats, as well as ASEAN countries, along with many experts and scholars.

Delegates at the Hanoi People's Foreign Affairs Conference: 30 years of accompanying and developing Vietnam-ASEAN relations. (Photo: TH)

Pursuant to Directive No. 45 - CT/TU dated August 8, 2025 of the Standing Committee of the Hanoi Party Committee on strengthening people-to-people diplomacy in Hanoi Capital to 2030, with a vision to 2045, on August 15, the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations organized the Hanoi Capital People's Diplomacy Workshop: 30 years of accompanying and developing Vietnam-ASEAN relations.

This is a diplomatic event to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025), the 30th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to ASEAN (July 28, 1995 - July 28, 2025) and the 58th anniversary of ASEAN's establishment (August 8, 1967 - August 8, 2025). Thereby, the event summarizes Vietnam's outstanding contributions and achievements in ASEAN in terms of economy, politics , security, culture and society; looks back at the journey of people-to-people diplomacy of the Capital in the process of developing Vietnam-ASEAN relations and proposes recommendations for directions.

Speaking at the workshop, Vice President of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Nam Hai said that July 28 marks the 30th anniversary of Vietnam's official accession to ASEAN - an important milestone in the international integration process, contributing to strengthening solidarity, stability and cooperation in the region. This is an opportunity to look back on the past, evaluate the achievements, and share ideas and solutions to further enhance the contribution of the capital's people's diplomacy in Vietnam-ASEAN relations.

The workshop focused on three groups of contents. The first was to review the 30-year journey of Vietnam joining ASEAN and its outstanding achievements: From a country that had been besieged and embargoed, Vietnam became an active and responsible member; contributing to strengthening solidarity and maintaining ASEAN's central role in regional and international issues.

Chairman of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Ngoc Ky speaks at the Workshop. (Photo: TH)

Second , review and evaluate the people's foreign affairs activities of the Capital for a peaceful , friendly and prosperous ASEAN: economic, cultural, educational cooperation programs, people-to-people exchange; initiatives of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Associations and member friendship associations to connect the ASEAN community, enhance mutual understanding and trust.

Third is to propose solutions and recommendations to further promote the role of people-to-people diplomacy in Vietnam-ASEAN cooperation.

After nearly 60 years of development, promoting the spirit of self-reliance, self-reliance and strategic autonomy, ASEAN has affirmed its position as a successful regional cooperation model in the world, playing a central role in the regional structure, and being the nucleus promoting dialogue, cooperation and development. With a population of nearly 700 million people and a GDP of nearly 4,000 billion USD, ASEAN is a potential market, with positive growth momentum, currently the 5th largest economy in the world and forecast to rise to 4th by 2030.

Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato' Tan Yang Thai said that 2025 has a special significance. This is the occasion to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Vietnam joining ASEAN (in 1995) - a transformational milestone not only for Vietnam, but also for ASEAN itself.

This is also the year Malaysia assumes the role of ASEAN Chair, a suitable opportunity to look back on the past journey and the unique role of Hanoi - both the political heart and the cultural soul in Vietnam's engagement with ASEAN.

Overview of the workshop. (Photo: TH)

"Over the past three decades, ASEAN and Vietnam have grown together in the spirit of mutual trust, respect and shared aspirations. In this journey, Hanoi's people-to-people diplomacy - the ability to connect hearts, minds and communities - has become a powerful, sometimes silent, force that complements official diplomacy and strengthens the bonds between our nations. As the Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam, I am deeply aware that the ASEAN-Vietnam cooperation story is enriched by the growing warmth and depth of Malaysia-Vietnam relations, in which Hanoi plays an indispensable role," the Malaysian Ambassador emphasized.

Speaking at the conclusion of the workshop, Chairman of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Ngoc Ky sincerely thanked the delegates for their practical contributions and affirmed that he would accept them to help advise the city to improve the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy in the coming time.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ha-noi-trai-tim-gan-ket-viet-nam-voi-asean-324523.html