Vietnamese Prime Minister to Attend 49th ASEAN Summit
Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng will attend the 49th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Manila from November 14 to 17, 2026. Vietnam’s ambassador to the Philippines says the meetings will focus on regional security, economic cooperation and issues affecting people’s lives. The ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement is expected to be signed at the summit.
At the invitation of the president of the Philippines, ASEAN’s chair in 2026, Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng will lead a high-level delegation to the 49th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Manila from November 14 to 17. Vietnam’s ambassador to the Philippines, Lại Thái Bình, said the meetings will review the results of cooperation during the Philippines’ chairmanship and discuss ASEAN’s next steps in responding to regional and international developments.
Vietnam’s ambassador to the Philippines, Lại Thái Bình.（VietVance）
The Philippines has set three priorities for ASEAN cooperation in 2026: peace and security, prosperity, and empowering people. Lại Thái Bình said leaders are expected to discuss ASEAN unity and its role in regional affairs. They will also continue to focus on the situation in the South China Sea, negotiations on a South China Sea Code of Conduct, the situation in Myanmar and implementation of ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus.
Economic topics include strengthening ties within ASEAN, improving supply chain resilience, and advancing cooperation on energy networks, clean energy, artificial intelligence and semiconductors. Lại Thái Bình said the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement is expected to be signed at the summit, establishing a common framework for regional digital trade, cross-border payments and data flows. The meetings will also address workers’ digital skills, migrant workers’ rights and disaster response.
Discussing Vietnam’s participation, Lại Thái Bình said Vietnam supports the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship and has proposed cooperation on economic integration, digital transformation, the green transition, and energy and food security. Vietnam also hosted the ASEAN Future Forum on June 9 and 10, 2026, to promote regional dialogue.
Vietnam and the Philippines upgraded their bilateral ties to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership in May 2026. Lại Thái Bình said the two countries could strengthen coordination on ASEAN affairs, trade and investment, food and energy security, defense and law enforcement, navigation safety in the South China Sea, and people-to-people exchanges.
Source: VietVance
