Vietnam was hailed for its prompt and highly effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the early months, making it a model for other ASEAN countries, he said. Vietnam has also made a great effort to formulate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), he noted.

According to Professor Panda, Vietnam has also been working to protect ASEAN's central role. In its own way, Vietnam has demonstrated its responsibility as an ASEAN member through its foreign policy. With a well-balanced foreign policy, Vietnam has sought solutions without getting entangled in conflicts.

During its tenure as ASEAN Chair in 2020, Mr. Panda said, Vietnam made a great effort to promote and uphold ASEAN's central and guiding role, toward the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in November, 2020.