Vietnam vows active role as ASEAN charts future direction

Vietnam's foreign minister said the country will remain a key, proactive player in shaping ASEAN’s future, urging the bloc to move from passive adaptation to actively defining regional rules and development trends. He highlighted Vietnam’s 40‑year experience since the Doi Moi reforms and its contributions to ASEAN’s security, development and international standing.

ASEAN was formally established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok when foreign ministers from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand signed the Bangkok Declaration. The founding members – including Indonesia’s Adam Malik – created the organization to promote peace, stability and cooperation across economic, social, cultural and technical fields throughout Southeast Asia.