This morning, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu presided over the ASEAN flag-raising ceremony in celebration of the 58th anniversary of ASEAN’s founding (August 8, 1967 - August 8, 2025) and the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s official membership in ASEAN.

The event was attended by ambassadors, chargé d'affaires, and representatives of ASEAN member states and partners, as well as representatives from various ministries and agencies, alongside a large number of domestic and international media representatives.

The annual flag-raising ceremony commemorating ASEAN’s founding has become a proud tradition for all member states. It honors shared values and reaffirms the commitment to promote unity, friendship, and cooperation within the ASEAN Community.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, located just steps away from Ba Dinh Square - where President Ho Chi Minh proclaimed Vietnam’s independence 80 years ago - echoes the same aspirations for sovereignty and self-determination that ASEAN continues to pursue today.

Today’s event held special meaning, marking the 58th anniversary of ASEAN's founding, the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN Community, and the 30th year of Vietnam's integration into the ASEAN family.

According to the Deputy Minister, this milestone is especially significant as Vietnam looks ahead to two major national goals: the 100th anniversary of the country’s founding and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party. These historical milestones reaffirm Vietnam’s commitment to becoming a strong and prosperous nation, contributing not only to its own development but also to ASEAN’s shared prosperity.

Deputy Minister Vu also addressed the challenges ASEAN is currently facing, including strategic competition, non-traditional security threats, global economic instability, and eroding strategic trust, all of which are undermining multilateral cooperation.

He emphasized that ASEAN’s centrality is the answer to these challenges - maintaining its position as the hub of regional dialogue and cooperation and remaining a driving force for peace, stability, and development in Southeast Asia.

“These challenges demand the best of us. Unity binds us. Cooperation strengthens us. Innovation propels us forward. Courage defines the true spirit of ASEAN. We must harness these values to safeguard ASEAN’s central role,” he stated.

Deputy Minister Vu quoted a Vietnamese proverb: “A single tree cannot make a hill, but three trees together form a mountain,” underscoring the essence of ASEAN’s collective strength.

In his article "The 30-year journey: From shared aspirations to a trusted and responsible member," Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son wrote that Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN on July 28, 1995, was a historic and strategic decision that opened a new chapter in the country’s integration process and began its path to robust development.

The past 30 years have demonstrated the vision and political will of the Vietnamese Party and State in building and maintaining an environment of peace, cooperation, and development.

Vietnam joined ASEAN in a spirit of friendship and responsibility. Today, in a rapidly changing world, Vietnam, with renewed thinking and determination, will continue contributing to ASEAN’s success stories in this new era.

ASEAN has not only opened the door to integration but also created a belt of peace, security, and development in a strategically vital region for Vietnam. With this deep understanding, Vietnam has joined the ASEAN Community with a proactive and responsible attitude, aiming to make meaningful contributions.

Over the past three decades, Vietnam has remained a vital link within ASEAN, sharing strategic goals and visions while fostering consensus and coordinated action.

Deputy Prime Minister Son affirmed that every commitment, action, and initiative over the past 30 years has depicted a Vietnam that is proactive, responsible, and dedicated to ASEAN. This has not only been a journey of integration but also one of asserting leadership, spreading values, and sharing the future with the region.

Looking ahead, with renewed thinking and momentum, Vietnam will continue to walk alongside its fellow member states to build a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable ASEAN Community.

Tran Thuong