ASEAN remains a major strategic priority in Vietnams overall foreign policy.

In the morning of May 7, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and a high-level Vietnamese delegation departed from Hanoi to attend the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, from May 7 to 8, 2026, at the invitation of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. of the Republic of the Philippines, who is presiding over ASEAN for 2026.

This marks the first foreign trip of Prime Minister Le Minh Hung as the leader of the new government, and also his first personal attendance at a multilateral conference.

Vietnam joined ASEAN on July 28, 1995. Since then, it has always considered ASEAN a priority in its foreign policy, actively participating in all areas of cooperation to build the ASEAN Community. Vietnam has made significant contributions to ensuring a peaceful, stable, and cooperative regional environment, earning high praise from ASEAN and its member states.

Over the past 30 years, Vietnam has become a central member of ASEAN, working with other member states to maintain regional peace and stability, strengthen relations with partners, promote trade and investment through ASEAN’s economic network, and leverage ASEAN and its partners to achieve socio-economic development goals.

Vietnam has fulfilled its obligations within ASEAN, hosting the 6th ASEAN Summit in 1998 shortly after joining, playing a key role in navigating ASEAN through the challenges of the 1997 economic and financial crisis.

The participation of Prime Minister Le Minh Hung in the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, on May 7 and 8, 2026, underscores Vietnam’s commitment to proactively, positively, and responsibly contributing to ASEAN.

As ASEAN enters a new phase of development after ten years of community building (2015-2025), the focus is on fully implementing the ASEAN Community’s Vision 2045 and Strategic Plans. However, ASEAN faces challenges, including maintaining its central role, promoting cooperation, resolving regional issues, mobilizing resources, and improving collective responses to external changes.

[Context: The article highlights Vietnam’s longstanding role in ASEAN and its active participation in regional cooperation. Fact Check: The information is accurate and neutral, focusing on Vietnam’s contributions to ASEAN and its future direction within the organization.]