PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has officially kicked off his two-day working visit to Vietnam with a courtesy call on To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, at the party's headquarters in Hanoi.
This marks the second time Anwar has visited the Southeast Asian nation since assuming office as Malaysia’s Prime Minister.
According to Bernama, the courtesy call was held just one hour after Anwar’s arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi.
During their 30-minute meeting, Anwar and Lam discussed various aspects of the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Vietnam, focusing on diplomatic ties and future cooperation.
Lam, who became the head of the Communist Party of Vietnam in August 2024, had previously paid an official visit to Malaysia in November last year, marking his first visit to the country in his new role.
Wisma Putra, Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, released a statement confirming that Anwar is scheduled to meet with the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Luong Cuong, as well as Vietnam's Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh, the following day.
These discussions are expected to provide both nations with an opportunity to strengthen their bilateral ties under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.
In addition to meeting Lam, Anwar also paid a courtesy call on José Ramos-Horta, the President of Timor-Leste, later that evening at the hotel where both leaders were staying ar.
The Prime Minister is also slated to deliver a keynote address at the Second ASEAN Future Forum, organized by the Vietnamese government, tomorrow.
Speaking to the media, Malaysia’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Datuk Tan Yang Thai, emphasised that the Prime Minister’s address at the forum will focus on bolstering ASEAN’s unity and addressing key regional challenges.
“The Prime Minister's keynote speech will underscore efforts to strengthen ASEAN amidst great power competition, advance the region's digital economy agenda, promote green initiatives, and prioritize sustainable development to secure the future of ASEAN member states,” Tan said.
In a post shared on his Facebook page, Anwar highlighted that his meeting with Lam had covered crucial topics, including the expansion of cooperation in the fields of digital technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the fishing industry.
"I also expressed my admiration for Vietnam's impressive economic growth, which serves as both a lesson and an inspiration for Malaysia. Vietnam’s success in adopting new technologies and advancing a sustainable energy sector provides valuable insights for us," Anwar said.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged Vietnam's support for Malaysia’s leadership of ASEAN, recognising its importance in ensuring the regional grouping’s continued strength and success.
“The strategic relationship between Malaysia and Vietnam has undoubtedly become a national priority, especially following Lam’s visit to Malaysia last year," he added.
Additionally, Anwar confirmed that both parties had reached an agreement on enhanced intelligence sharing and military cooperation, critical steps in ensuring stability and security within the region.
Regarding Timor-Leste’s potential accession to ASEAN, Anwar expressed Malaysia’s full support, praising Vietnam's role in advocating for the country’s membership.
He emphasised the importance of acknowledging the historical significance of figures like those involved in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, which helped shape Vietnam’s path to success.
"I also highlighted that many people do not fully understand the struggle of the heroes of Dien Bien Phu, and how their actions helped pave the way for Vietnam’s success today," Anwar remarked.
Reflecting on his personal connection to Vietnam, Anwar shared that Ho Chi Minh’s leadership had been a significant source of inspiration during his student days, fueling his own fighting spirit.
“The historical ties between Malaysia and Vietnam are incredibly close, and it is now our generation’s responsibility to continue to strengthen cooperation for mutual benefit," he concluded. – February 26, 2025
Anwar Ibrahim, Vietnam, working visit, courtesy call
