Expert Discusses Vietnam’s Role in Mekong Subregional Cooperation
University of Malaya analyst Collins Chong Yew Keat says Vietnam faces challenges involving water management and climate change as a downstream Mekong country, while helping advance environmental governance and economic connectivity in the subregion. He also discusses potential technology and energy cooperation between Vietnam and Malaysia.
Collins Chong Yew Keat, a foreign affairs, security and strategic analyst at the University of Malaya, said in an interview during the 49th ASEAN Summit that Vietnam plays an important role in Mekong subregional cooperation by linking economic development issues with regional security challenges. He said Mekong issues affect ASEAN’s overall economic resilience and security.
Collins Chong Yew Keat noted that, as a downstream Mekong country, Vietnam is directly affected by upstream water resource management, hydropower development, environmental degradation, climate change and saltwater intrusion. These issues affect agricultural production, food security and livelihoods; the Mekong Delta is also important to ASEAN’s food supply, trade and supply chains.
During the 2026–2027 dry season, the volume of water flowing into the Mekong Delta is expected to be relatively low, and saltwater intrusion may begin early, in December 2026.（VietVance）
He said Vietnam helps advance infrastructure connectivity, environmental protection and the management of cross-border issues through mechanisms including the Mekong River Commission, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation. Vietnam also has a direct interest in promoting transparency about upstream dam operations, hydrological data sharing and coordinated water management. Transport routes connecting Laos, Cambodia and Thailand with Vietnam’s ports and production centers could further improve logistics connectivity across the subregion.
Discussing economic development, Collins Chong Yew Keat said Vietnam is strengthening its role in global supply chains by developing electronics, machinery, and textile and garment manufacturing and expanding trade links. The next challenge is to improve its technological capabilities, domestic value added and ability to secure supply chains. He cited the program to develop one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice in the Mekong Delta as an example of how agricultural competitiveness can be combined with sustainable development goals.
He also said Vietnam and Malaysia could deepen cooperation in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, e-commerce and cybersecurity, while renewable energy cooperation among Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore could contribute to the ASEAN Power Grid initiative. These are his assessments of potential areas for future cooperation.
Source: VietVance
