NA Chairman Man’s official visit to Malaysia and attendance at AIPA-46 highlight Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy priority of valuing friendly neighborliness and comprehensive strategic partnership with Malaysia.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) and Malaysian Speaker of the House of Representatives Tan Sri Dato’ Johari Bin Abdul (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s attendance at the 46th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-46) and official visit to Malaysia from September 16-20 mark the first by a top Vietnamese legislator since the two countries upgraded ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in November 2024, underscoring Vietnam’s push to deepen parliamentary ties and create a stronger legal framework for government and business collaboration.
Vietnam and Malaysia set up diplomatic relations on March 30, 1973. They have built a robust relationship over more than five decades, with ties deepening since becoming Strategic Partners in 2015. The upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year reflects heightened political trust, stronger economic and investment links, and vibrant people-to-people exchanges.
High-level engagements have been frequent, supported by mechanisms like the Joint Committee on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, the Joint Trade Committee, the Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee, and the Defence Cooperation Committee.
They are also working closely at global and regional forums like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the United Nations (UN) and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Vietnam has pledged support for Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN chairmanship and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
Economic, trade ties form core pillar
Economic and trade cooperation remains a highlight. Malaysia is Vietnam’s third largest trade partner in ASEAN and ninth worldwide. Two-way trade rose from 12.5 billion USD in 2021 to 14.2 billion USD in 2024. The figure hit 10.66 billion USD in the first eight months of 2025. Both sides target 18 billion USD this year.
Vietnam exports phones, components, crude oil, rice, and coffee to Malaysia, while importing computers, electronics, machinery, fuel, household appliances, and chemicals.
At the fourth meeting of Vietnam - Malaysia Joint Trade Committee (Photo: VNA)
Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia Dinh Ngoc Linh highlighted complementary strengths, noting potential in emerging sectors like the Halal industry, green economy, innovation, sci-tech, digital transformation, and green energy.
As members of ASEAN, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), both nations leverage these frameworks to bolster economic ties.
Malaysia, the 10th largest foreign investor in Vietnam among 143 countries and territories, has 731 active projects worth 13 billion USD in education, manufacturing, power, gas, water, and processing. Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato’ Tan Yang Thai pointed to Vietnam’s appeal for investors, with Hai Phong, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City emerging as favoured destinations.
Defence and security ties are gaining momentum, with active delegation exchanges, training, and information sharing on counter-terrorism, cybercrime, and transnational crime, underpinned by a 2015 agreement. This partnership safeguards national interests and supports regional peace and stability.
Bilateral cooperation in labour, culture, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges is flourishing. Joint training programmes focus on sci-tech, economics, and education management.
A 2001 visa-waiver agreement for ordinary passport holders, coupled with enhanced air connectivity, has fueled tourism. In 2024, Malaysia hosted over 300,000 Vietnamese visitors, while nearly 500,000 Malaysians traveled to Vietnam
Effective parliamentary links deepen
The Vietnamese NA and the Malaysian Parliament are deepening ties bilaterally and through forums like AIPA, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF).
Recent exchanges and meetings reaffirmed their intent to intensify legislative cooperation, increase delegation exchanges, and formalise a cooperation agreement between the two legislatures. They also pledged mutual support on global and regional issues at multilateral inter-parliamentary forums of which they are members.
NA Chairman Man’s official visit to Malaysia and attendance at AIPA-46 highlight Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy priority of valuing friendly neighborliness and comprehensive strategic partnership with Malaysia. The trip reflects the trust and closeness among high-ranking leaders, takes stock of bilateral and inter-parliamentary achievements, while outlining concrete steps for more effective future coordination./.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam, left Hanoi on September 16 for the 46th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-46) in Malaysia and an official visit to the country from September 16-20.
Malaysia is Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner in ASEAN and ninth globally, as well as a key investor with 731 valid projects worth about 13 billion USD. Bilateral trade reached 9.23 billion USD by July 2025, up 8% year-on-year, nearing the 18 billion USD target.
Exquisite craftwork, diverse dishes, and vibrant music have captured the attention of international visitors at the National Entrepreneurs Day (HUN) 2025 held in Kuala Lumpur from September 12-16.
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with relevant bodies, will submit a proposal to designate April 7 annually as "Public Health Day," with completion targeted for the first quarter of 2026.
On September 16, at talks with First Vice President of the Belgian Senate Andries Gryffoy, NA Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to developing friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Belgium. She noted that bilateral ties have grown positively in various fields over the past five decades, especially since the establishment of their strategic partnership in agriculture in 2018.
Upon learning of the passing of Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, on behalf of the leaders of the Vietnamese Party and Government, on September 17 sent a message of condolences to his Cuban counterpart Manuel Marrero, the Government of Cuba, and the family of the late official.
Petronas has partnered with the state-owned Vietnam National Industry – Energy Group (Petrovietnam) in a wide range of joint projects, and the two sides are now expanding into new fields such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable energy.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man welcomed the support of member parliaments for draft resolutions initiated by Vietnam and submitted for adoption at AIPA-46.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Tran Quoc Khanh on September 16 had a working session with Abdelkader Toumi, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Batna province, which is twinned with Dien Bien province of Vietnam, and representatives of Algerian enterprises to seek ways to expand cooperation in various fields.
The third nationwide conference on public investment promotion, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man's meetings with the Cambodian National Assembly President and the Timor-Leste National Parliament Speaker, and Vietnam ranking 44th among the 139 economies in the Global Innovation Index 2025 are among news highlights on September 17.
According to Decision No. 2346-QD/TW, dated September 15, 2025, the Da Nang Party Committee for the new term consists of 75 members, including 73 re-elected members. The Secretary of the municipal Party Committee for the 2020-2025 term was appointed as the Secretary of the municipal Party Committee for the 2025-2030 term.
The first Congress of the Party Organisation of the Central Party Agencies will focus on two main tasks: reviewing the implementation of the Resolutions for the 2020-2025 term, and setting the directions, goals, tasks, and solutions for the new term; and delivering feedback on the draft documents to be submited to the 14th National Party Congress.
With a journey from post-war reconstruction to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, Vietnam has proven that anything is possible with vision, unity, and determination.
Urban growth and rural development are inseparable and strategic missions that must complement each other, adding modern urban areas drive the nation’s growth while prosperous and sustainable rural areas provide solid foundations, said Party chief To Lam.
Vietnam and Brunei were suggested to maintain exchanges at all levels, especially at high level, and cooperation mechanisms such as consultations between armed forces and the Joint Working Group on military and defence cooperation.
General Luong Tam Quang, Politburo member and Minister of Public Security, asked the congress to select talented and passionate cadres for the new tenure to ensure the successful implementation of the 20th Congress’s resolution, thus contributing to national construction and defence.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man held bilateral meetings with Cambodian National Assembly President Khuon Sudary and Timor-Leste National Parliament Speaker Maria Fernanda Lay in Kuala Lumpur on September 17 on the sidelines of the 46th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-46).
Vietnam and Australia have established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflecting the depth of their bilateral ties and opening up broad prospects for more extensive, practical, and effective cooperation in the years ahead.
Vietnamese leaders' receptions for the Aide to the President of Russia and Chairman of the Maritime Board of Russia, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man's meeting with the Vietnamese community in Malaysia, and Deputy PM Mai Van Chinh's meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng are among news highlights on September 16 evening.
Vietnam will continue assisting Timor-Leste in effectively participating in ASEAN’s activities and keeping pace with the bloc’s development, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse met with staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Malaysia on September 16 as part of his official trip to the country.
