PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc led a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to attend the 31st ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Manila, the Philippines on the afternoon of November 13.

At the 5th ASEAN-US summit, PM Phuc welcomed US President Donald Trump’s participation in a first ASEAN summit since Trump took office and lauded ASEAN-US cooperation outcomes in recent years. He applauded the Trump administration’s commitments to ASEAN and the region and its support for ASEAN to promote the bloc’s central role, successfully build an ASEAN Community, and realise the target of maintaining peace, security and stability in the region.

At the 20th ASEAN-China Summit, PM Phuc hailed ASEAN and China’s approval of a COC framework and asked both sides to soon carry out substantive negotiations to build a feasible and legally binding COC.

At the 19th ASEAN-the Republic of Korea Summit, PM Phuc stressed that ASEAN need to give the top priority to economic partnership, particularly supporting capacity building, transferring technology, and sharing management experience serving the development of MSMEs.


At the 20th ASEAN-Japan Summit, PM Phuc asked the two sides to step up activities of the ASEAN-Japan creative network, further connect ASEAN and Japanese businesses, and boost cooperation in the areas of high technology and artificial intelligence.  

PM Phuc and the Vietnamese delegation attended the plenary session of the 31st ASEAN Summit on the morning of November 13.

PM Phuc highlighted the significance of ASEAN’s 50th founding anniversary and three key areas of ASEAN cooperation in his speech at the plenary session.

PM Phuc called for determination to build a self-reliant ASEAN community that upholds common interests of citizens, develops the ASEAN Economic Community via economic connectivity and internal trade facilitation, and strengthens mutual support among member economies. 

The PM suggested the bloc further uphold its central role and stature in international arena for the sake of peace, security and prosperity in the region. 

He said Vietnam is committed to building a strong ASEAN community. 

PM Phuc and leaders from nine other ASEAN member countries attended the opening ceremony of the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila, the Philippines, on the morning of November 13. 

The event also saw the attendance of leaders from around 20 partner countries and international organisations, including China, the US, Russia, the European Union, and the United Nations.

As many as 55 documents are expected to be signed and adopted at the meetings. The Philippines will also issue nine declarations of the Chairs of the summits. 


PM Phuc and the Vietnamese delegation arrived at Clark Airport in Pampanga, the Philippines on the afternoon of November 12.