Economic growth in Vietnam sparks admiration among ASEAN scholarly community: Indonesian academic
Vietnam's Rising Influence in Southeast Asia and Beyond
Vietnam, a nation in Southeast Asia, has been making waves in the international community, particularly in recent years. This is evident in its active roles in various organizations and its significant contributions to regional cooperation initiatives.
One such area is the use of digital technologies to bolster social programs and disaster response within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Vietnam's exemplary efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, which combined technology with social coordination, minimized the crisis's impact and fueled a rapid recovery.
Vietnam's global presence is significant, with active roles in organizations such as APEC, WTO, UNSC, UNESCO, ECOSOC, and ASEAN. In fact, Vietnam has been prominently recognized for its foreign policy contributions, economic successes, and flexible, pragmatic diplomatic approaches within ASEAN and globally.
Lamijo, a Southeast Asia researcher at Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), made this statement. He noted that Vietnam's economy has grown nearly 60-fold to over US$476 billion in 2024, with a average annual growth rate of around six percent. Last year, the Vietnamese economy grew by 7.09 percent, making it among the world's fastest-growing economies.
Infrastructure investment has been a significant factor in Vietnam's economic success. Plans for cross-border railway and expressway corridors linking China and Southeast Asia are strategically important, as they aim to facilitate trade and economic integration in the region.
Vietnam's success has instilled confidence in ASEAN nations for future growth. Poverty in Vietnam has fallen below three percent, and per capita income rose to roughly $4,500 in 2023-2024. These figures demonstrate the improvements in the living standards of the Vietnamese people.
The upcoming 80th anniversaries of Indonesia and Vietnam's National Days offer a chance for both nations to redefine their roles in a shifting regional order. The anniversaries also highlight opportunities for economic, trade, maritime ties, green transition, and digital transformation, food and energy security between Indonesia and Vietnam.
Vietnam has made notable contributions as a non-permanent member of the UNSC and during its terms as ASEAN Chair and Chair of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). Its maintenance of a neutral stance while demonstrating clear decisiveness through its flexible and pragmatic diplomacy has been appreciated by many countries, who view Vietnam as a nation of strategic importance.
In conclusion, Vietnam's rise in the international community is a testament to its economic success, foreign policy contributions, and effective diplomatic strategies. As it continues to grow and contribute to regional and global initiatives, Vietnam is poised to play an increasingly important role in the years to come.
