The 18th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM-18) commenced on November 20 in Vientiane, Laos, under the chair of Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Chansamone Chanyalath.
Vientiane (VNA)🍰 -– The 18th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM-18) commenced on November 20 in Vientiane, Laos, under the chair of Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Chansamone Chanyalath.
Vietnam’s delegation to the event is led by Defence Minister Phan Van Giang.
In his opening remarks, Deputy PM Chansamone Chanyalath highlighted the importance of peace and security as foundations for economic and social progress, especially amid current global uncertainties. The ADMM-18, he noted, seeks to strengthen international cooperation to address regional challenges, promoting a peaceful, prosperous, and resilient ASEAN.
Minister Giang affirmed Vietnam's support at the highest level for Laos to fulfil its heavy duty as Chair of ASEAN in 2024.
ADMM-18 adopted several key documents, including guidelines for ADMM-Plus Expert Working Group observers which were co-developed by Laos, the Philippines, and Singapore; and a strategic framework titled “ADMM and ADMM-Plus Ready for the Future” from Brunei and Singapore. It also approved the second ASEAN-US Maritime Exercise in 2025 and the agenda for the 11th ADMM Plus, scheduled for November 21.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Vientiane Joint Declaration: Together for Peace, Security, and Resilience, which underlined the importance of ADMM and ADMM in regional security frameworks. It reaffirmed ASEAN’s outward-looking approach, fostering trust and mutual understanding with external partners while upholding ASEAN’s centrality and unity. The declaration reiterated adherence to principles and essential targets specified in the UN Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in enhancing ASEAN's centrality and unity and maintaining a rules-based regional structure in accordance with international law for people's interest.
The document repeated the commitment to peaceful and constructive cooperation of all sides to make the East Sea a region of peace, stability and prosperity through the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the early conclusion of a substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982)./.
The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs on November 15 held a consultation workshop of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC).
Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan on November 14 received the 48th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) delegation as part of their ongoing visit to the southern city from November 14-17.
Japanese ship Nippon Maru with 168 delegates of the 48th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) on board left Ho Chi Minh City on November 17 afternoon for other stops in their journey this year.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
