Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has concluded a momentous diplomatic journey that spanned the ASEAN - Australia Special Summit and official visits to Australia and New Zealand. Conducted from March 5-11, the visits produced landmark agreements and reaffirmed Vietnam’s growing influence within Southeast Asia and beyond, according to the Vietnam Government Portal (VGP)

Analysts and regional leaders alike have praised the Vietnamese delegation’s dynamism and commitment to collaborative solutions, underscoring the country’s increasingly vital role in shaping a peaceful and prosperous Asia-Pacific. The outcomes closely align with the strategic priorities outlined in the Party Congress XIII, setting the stage for Vietnam’s continued regional leadership.

ASEAN - Australia Summit: Charting a Collaborative Future

The ASEAN - Australia Special Summit, marking five decades of partnership, set a decisive tone for future cooperation. The rise of ASEAN as a pivotal regional bloc - with Vietnam as a key contributor - has attracted the attention of key international partners seeking to solidify their engagement in the Indo-Pacific. The Summit produced two foundational documents: the “Melbourne Declaration - Partnership for the Future” and the “ASEAN - Australia Leaders’ Vision Statement - Partnership for Peace and Prosperity”. These lay the groundwork for a more substantial ASEAN - Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the years to come.

Prime Minister Chinh’s contributions to the Summit earned widespread recognition. He delivered incisive speeches highlighting the relationship’s historic milestones while outlining a pragmatic vision for its future. His proposals focused on economic advancement through trade and investment, human capital development via labor cooperation, and embracing innovation in the digital economy, sustainable transformation, and emerging technologies. He further emphasized the importance of building political trust through dialogue and preventive diplomacy, narrowing development gaps within the region, and fostering cultural ties and people-to-people connections. Finally, he emphasized regional unity, adherence to international law and rules-based behavior, and the importance of building multilateral structures with ASEAN at the core.

Deepening Bilateral Ties: Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand

His official visits to Australia and New Zealand were highly symbolic, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Vietnam - Australia diplomatic relations and the lead-up to the same milestone for Vietnam - New Zealand ties in 2025. In a historic development, Australia and Vietnam announced the elevation of their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This solidifies a robust alliance, elevating Australia to Vietnam’s top tier of comprehensive strategic partners.

The visits to both countries produced a host of agreements, including initiatives focused on setting the stage for high-level consultations and strategic cooperation, expanding trade and investment, particularly in emerging sectors, driving innovation in fields like digital transformation and green energy, strengthening ties through scholarship programs and cultural diplomacy, and enhancing cooperative defense and security frameworks.

The Value of Heartfelt Diplomacy

Beyond the specific agreements, the visits were imbued with a spirit of genuine engagement and shared values. Prime Minister Chinh’s approach, rooted in Vietnam’s tradition of “bamboo diplomacy”, emphasized flexibility, adaptability, and a deep commitment to cultivating sincere relationships. He outlined Vietnam’s principles of national development and international integration, stressing the importance of dialogue, respect for international law, and peaceful conflict resolution in the face of global challenges. Leaders in Australia and New Zealand welcomed this message and reciprocated with assurances of support for Vietnam’s leadership role within regional and international forums.

Vietnam’s Rising Influence and the East Sea

Both Australia and New Zealand acknowledged Vietnam’s growing economic success and influence within the Indo-Pacific, commending its effective macro-economic management and development trajectory. The importance of maintaining peace, stability, and freedom of navigation in the East Sea was a critical point of discussion. Australia and New Zealand firmly aligned with Vietnam’s stance on upholding international law, particularly UNCLOS, and prioritizing the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Strengthened Position

Prime Minister Chinh’s journey has unquestionably solidified Vietnam’s position in the region, cementing its strategic partnerships with ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand. These strengthened relationships will play a vital role in advancing Vietnam’s national interests and contributing to a more stable, collaborative, and prosperous Asia-Pacific.