ASEAN must not only choose the right direction but also move fast enough to seize emerging opportunities, General Secretary and President To Lam said in Hanoi on June 9.

Vietnam and Timor-Leste have signed a visa exemption agreement for ordinary passport holders, marking a major step in strengthening bilateral ties.

On June 9, Party General Secretary and President To Lam held separate meetings with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Vietnam and Timor-Leste reaffirmed their friendship as the two prime ministers met for talks following a formal reception at Government Headquarters.

ASEAN's success should be measured by the security, prosperity and confidence of its people, not by the number of meetings held or statements issued, Thailand's prime minister said.

Senior officials from Vietnam and Laos met in Hanoi on June 9 to discuss future collaboration in ethnic and religious affairs and strengthen bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

Speaking at the ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in Hanoi, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said the ultimate goal of development is improving people's quality of life, not merely pursuing economic growth.

Sail training ship 286 – Le Quy Don and a delegation from the Vietnam People's Navy returned to Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa province on June 8, concluding a successful 2026 overseas engagement combined with long-distance sea training.

The ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) 2026 officially opened in Hanoi on June 9 under the theme “Shaping Our Future Together: Peace, Prosperity and People-Centred”.

During a banquet hosted by Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on the evening of June 8, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul showcased his ability to play the T’rung, one of Vietnam’s traditional musical instruments.

After one year of operating under Vietnam's two-tier local government model, local administrations have reported smoother operations but continue to face staffing and infrastructure challenges.

Hanoi's chairman has reaffirmed that people must remain at the centre of all urban development policies as ASEAN city leaders gathered in the Vietnamese capital.

Luong Quoc Doan was re-elected President of the Vietnam Farmers’ Union for the 2026–2031 tenure at the first meeting of its Central Committee held on June 8 following the union’s ninth National Congress, which concluded in Hanoi the same day.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang received Krishna Srinivasan, Director of the Asia and Pacific Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in Hanoi on June 8.

Vietnam and Cambodia have agreed to explore cross-border economic zones while accelerating infrastructure and connectivity projects to deepen bilateral cooperation.

The spouse of Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung joined the spouses of the prime ministers of Laos, Cambodia and Thailand for a cultural visit to Hanoi's Temple of Literature.

The leaders of Vietnam and Thailand agreed to accelerate implementation of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during talks in Hanoi on June 8.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung hosted a ceremonial welcome for Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul during his first official visit to Vietnam.

On the morning of June 8, within the framework of the third ASEAN Future Forum (AFF), a dialogue titled “The Role of Southeast Asian Political Parties in Building the ASEAN Community” was held in Hanoi.

General Secretary and President To Lam has called for a fundamental shift in mindset and vision in marine development in the new period.