Indonesian President and Chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) Prabowo Subianto sees off General Secretary To Lam and his wife at Halim Perdanakusuma military airport, Jakarta, March 11, 2025. (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)

Indonesia, Singapore, and the ASEAN Secretariat praised Party leader Lam’s visit and welcomed him with the highest level of diplomatic protocol. Mr. Lam attended 40 high-level meetings and policy discussions, met with local Vietnamese communities, and visited key economic and cultural institutions in the two countries. A number of cooperation agreements were signed in various fields during his visit.

Historic milestones

Indonesia and Singapore are founding members of ASEAN and two of the most developed economies in the bloc. By upgrading ties with both countries, Vietnam has deepened its engagement with key ASEAN partners so as to contribute more effectively to the region’s collective progress.

Budiarsa Sastrawinata, Chairman of the Indonesia-Vietnam Friendship Association, said the upgraded relationship reaffirms strong political trust and cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia.

Budiarsa Sastrawinata, Chairman of the Indonesia-Vietnam Friendship Association, in a VOV interview.

“The visit significantly brings the good cooperation that we have enjoyed to a higher level. Being ASEAN countries with large population and high economic growth, the visit is very important not only politically and economically but also from people to people corporation. We have a new government. Vietnam also has a new government. I'm sure by visiting each other it will bring even a better corporation and relationship.”

Beni Sukadis, Senior Coordinator at the Indonesian Institute for Defense and Strategic Studies, said the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam aligns with Indonesia’s goal of economic diversification, particularly in manufacturing, renewable energy, and the digital economy. Vietnam’s investments, notably the electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast, will drive economic growth and create opportunities for Indonesia to become a hub for electric vehicles.

“I am impressed by VinFast’s investment in electric vehicles and its EV ecosystem in Indonesia. This demonstrates the two countries' commitment to sustainable development. These are key areas where both nations can collaborate. Additionally, both sides can explore opportunities for cooperation in technology. We need to identify sectors where both countries have strengths, capabilities, and mutual support to foster cooperation and growth," Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister, Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir, said.

Vietnam and Singapore have agreed to deepen economic, trade, and investment cooperation, advance collaboration in digital transformation, innovation, the green economy, and clean energy, and expand the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park 2.0 network with a focus on innovation and low-carbon emissions.

Mr. To Lam’s visit to the ASEAN Secretariat, the first by a Vietnamese Party leader, underscored ASEAN’s strategic importance to Vietnam and reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of actively and responsibly contributing to the bloc’s shared goals.

On this occasion, the General Secretary attended a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN and delivered a keynote speech outlining Vietnam’s vision for ASEAN.

“Marking the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s ASEAN membership, Vietnam and ASEAN will continue working closely to achieve the bloc’s goals, realize the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, and navigate the rapidly evolving and unpredictable regional and global development,” Ambassador Ton Thi Ngoc Huong, Head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to ASEAN, said.

Imminent results

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said Vietnam will work with Indonesia and Singapore to operationalize the newly established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Ministries and sectors will urgently formulate cooperation programs for immediate engagement with their counterparts in traditional areas while expanding into emerging fields such as the green economy, digital transformation, and green energy.

Both sides will conduct regular reviews and assessments to ensure effective implementation of agreements and maximize their impact in advancing development goals.

Vietnam remains committed to working with other ASEAN members, playing an active and responsible role in strengthening ASEAN’s solidarity, resilience, and centrality, and accelerating regional connectivity through frameworks such as the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and strategic plans set to launch in 2026.