Vietnamese Prime Minister to Attend 49th ASEAN Summit in the Philippines

At the invitation of the Philippine president, Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng plans to lead a high-level delegation to the 49th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Manila from November 14 to 17, 2026. In an interview ahead of the meetings, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Đặng Hoàng Giang said leaders would review the Philippines’ work as ASEAN chair in 2026, assess progress in the first year of implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, and set priorities for the next phase of cooperation.

Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Đặng Hoàng Giang.（VietVance）

Đặng Hoàng Giang said the summit is expected to focus on three areas: strengthening ASEAN unity and its ability to respond to challenges; implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, deepening economic ties and addressing cross-border issues; and reinforcing ASEAN’s central role in regional cooperation while deepening relations with partners. These issues include peace and security, supply chain stability, and ensuring that cooperation benefits people and businesses.

Discussing Vietnam’s participation, Đặng Hoàng Giang said the country would encourage member states to maintain regional peace and stability, narrow differences, and strengthen trade, infrastructure and supply chain links. Vietnam will also focus on cooperation in technological innovation, digital transformation, green transition, and energy and food security. Lê Minh Hưng plans to co-chair the Mekong–Japan Summit with the Japanese prime minister and hold bilateral meetings during the summit.

Related parliamentary events will take place around the same time: the 15th dialogue between ASEAN leaders and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly is scheduled for November 14–15, and the 47th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly for November 17–18. Chairman of Vietnam’s National Assembly Trần Thanh Mẫn will lead a delegation to the latter and related activities.

Source: VietVance