BOOK INTRODUCTION: 25 Years of Vietnam’s Participation in ASEAN through the Eyes of Insiders

Over the past quarter-century, throughout its renovation process, Vietnam has gradually matured and become a key member of ASEAN. This has been a challenging journey, but also one full of honor and pride. Vietnam’s participation in ASEAN since 1995 represents a long path with many milestones and no shortage of challenges. With the aim of documenting this remarkable historical journey and to celebrate Vietnam’s year as ASEAN Chair, the National ASEAN 2020 Committee, in collaboration with the Political Publishing House, published the book 25 Years of Vietnam’s Participation in ASEAN through the Eyes of Insiders. The book was edited by Ambassador and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Quốc Dũng. The ASEAN Research Center - Institute for Strategic Studies, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, supported the editorial process. In addition to the foreword by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Phạm Bình Minh, the book gathers contributions from domestic and international authors, including former senior leaders of the Vietnamese government, ASEAN member states, the ASEAN Secretariat, and respected scholars. They are contemporary figures with significant influence on Vietnam’s participation in ASEAN and ASEAN’s overall development. Notable contributors include: former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Mạnh Cầm; former Deputy Prime Minister and Vietnam’s first ASEAN SOM Chair Vũ Khoan; former Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Dy Niên; former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Phạm Gia Khiêm; Ambassador and former ASEAN Secretary-General, Senior Advisor to the ASEAN 2020 Secretariat Lê Lương Minh; Ambassador and former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senior Advisor to the ASEAN 2020 Secretariat Phạm Quang Vinh; Ambassador and former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Công Phụng; Ambassador and Senior Advisor to the ASEAN 2020 Secretariat Nguyễn Nguyệt Nga; former Minister of Trade Trương Đình Tuyển; Deputy Minister of National Defense Nguyễn Chí Vịnh; Minister of Industry and Trade Trần Tuấn Anh; Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vũ Tiến Lộc; Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Đào Ngọc Dung; Chair of the National Assembly Committee on Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Văn Giàu; Prof. Nguyễn Thái Yên Hương, Ambassador, Vietnam’s Representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights; Deputy Head in charge of Multilateral Affairs, Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Đồng Huy Cương; First Secretary of the Central Youth Union, Chair of the National Committee on Vietnamese Youth Lê Quốc Phong; ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi; former Indonesian Foreign Minister R.M. Marty M. Natalegawa; former Thai Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow; former Singapore Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bilahari Kausikan; Ambassador Pou Sothirak, Executive Director of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace; Ambassador and former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Tâm Chiến; Ambassador and first Director of the ASEAN Department Đỗ Ngọc Sơn; Dr. Termsak Chalermpalanupap (ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore). Through vivid recollections and diverse, unique perspectives, these distinguished figures directly contributed to ASEAN cooperation and community-building. The pieces collectively form a panoramic view of the world and the region, illuminate Vietnam’s 25-year journey in ASEAN, and reaffirm the correctness of Vietnam’s decision to join ASEAN. They highlight the tangible benefits for Vietnam as well as Vietnam’s contributions to ASEAN’s overall success over the years. The articles also suggest future directions for ASEAN and Vietnam in the coming years. Interested readers may contact the Institute for Foreign Policy and Strategic Studies, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, at 69 Chùa Láng, Đống Đa, Hanoi.