Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will lead a Vietnamese delegation to attend the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Meetings in Vientiane, Laos, from October 8-11, according to a report from the Government News.

This visit is made at the invitation of Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 3.

Vietnam became a full member of ASEAN on July 28, 1995. Since then, the country has been proactive, responsible, and persistent in upholding ASEAN’s principles.

Alongside other member countries, Vietnam has worked diligently to help ASEAN navigate challenges, adapt to new contexts, and maintain the momentum of regional cooperation and connectivity. This commitment has affirmed ASEAN’s central role and enhanced its position.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on August 8, 1967, with five founding members. It has since evolved into a comprehensive and closely-knit organization, now comprising 10 Southeast Asian countries.

On December 31, 2015, ASEAN officially became the ASEAN Community.

ASEAN is on a positive trajectory to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030, up from its current fifth place. The bloc’s gross domestic product (GDP) surged by 51 per cent to $3.8 trillion in 2023, compared to $2.5 trillion in 2015.