“Meet ASEAN in Da Nang” 2025 opened in the central coastal city on Wednesday. It was organised by the municipal People's Committee in coordination with the ASEAN Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and diplomatic agencies of ASEAN countries in Viet Nam.

Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Le Trung Chinh delivered his opening speech at the "Meet ASEAN in Da Nang 2025" event.

This is a special foreign affairs event to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of Viet Nam's accession to ASEAN (1995 - 2025) and respond to the 32^nd ASEAN-New Zealand Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) and the 4^th ASEAN-UK SOM in Da Nang.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet, Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Le Trung Chinh, and Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Dato' Sri Amran Mohamed Zin co-chaired the event.

The event brought together representatives from the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the city's leaders, ambassadors, consuls-general, senior officials, businesses, and organisations from 10 ASEAN member countries and their partners.

In his opening speech, Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Le Trung Chinh said, for three decades, Viet Nam has made important contributions to strengthening solidarity and development within the ASEAN Community. The relationship between Viet Nam and ASEAN is entering a period of robust growth, marked by increasing political trust, expanding socio-economic cooperation, and deeper regional connectivity.

In that context, Da Nang has many favourable opportunities to deepen its cooperative relations with ASEAN partners. The central coastal city is positioned as a growth pole and an international integration pole Central Viet Nam.

Thanks to its modern infrastructure system and attractive investment environment, Da Nang is not only a strategic trade gateway but also a destination for global events, and a place to connect economic, cultural and knowledge flows within the region.

On a bilateral level, Da Nang has so far established friendly cooperative relations with 50 localities worldwide, including 9 localities of ASEAN member countries of Laos, Cambodia and Thailand.

In addition, the city has paid special attention to developing relations with ASEAN partners in such fields as trade, investment, tourism, education and sustainable urban development.

Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Le Trung Chinh (right) gave US$ 10,000 to support Myanmar to overcome the aftermaths of the recent earthquake.

Over the years, import and export turnover between Da Nang and ASEAN countries has shown consistent growth, particularly in textiles, raw materials, and electronic components. Additionally, Da Nang is an appealing destination for ASEAN enterprises, particularly in the areas of real estate, manufacturing, trade, and education.

Currently, Singapore is the largest investor in the ASEAN region within Da Nang, with 31 projects totalling over US$ 838.6 million. It is followed by Malaysia with 18 projects valued at more than US$ 222 million in total; Thailand with 15 projects worth nearly US$ 65 million; and the Philippines with 8 projects totalling approximately US$ 11 million.

Da Nang is a pioneering locality in the country to implement the International Integration and Cooperation Project which extends until 2030. With specific policies and incentives from the Central Government, the city is working on various initiatives, including the establishment of a free trade zone, a regional financial centre, and many strategic areas focusing on science and technology development, innovation, digital infrastructure, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence.

In that context, enhancing connectivity with ASEAN localities is not only a step in line with the city's strategic orientation but also contributes to strengthening Da Nang's position in the process of regional integration and international cooperation.

For sustainable development, Da Nang wishes to build an extensive cooperation ecosystem with organisations, localities and businesses in the region, based on solid trust, harmonious interests and long-term vision.

A representative of the Da Nang Tourism Association (left) donated VND 75 million in support of Myanmar to overcome the consequences of the recent earthquake.

On the occasion, Chairman Chinh expressed his deep condolences to the people and countries of Myanmar and Thailand for the heavy losses in the earthquake that occurred on March 28. He, at the same time, expressed his deep sorrow over the recent passing of Khamtay Siphandone, former President of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and former President of Laos.

The Da Nang People's Committee donated US$ 10,000, while the city’s Tourism Association gave VND 75 million to support Myanmar to overcome the aftermaths of the recent earthquake.

“Meet ASEAN in Da Nang” 2025 runs until April 11. The main agenda took place on Wednesday afternoon with discussion sessions aimed at enhancing international cooperation, trade, investment, and tourism between Da Nang and ASEAN partners.

Additionally, delegates will conduct field visits to the Sun World Ba Na Hill Tourist Area, Tien Sa Port, Lien Chieu Port and High-Tech Park, as well as take part in a photo exhibition featuring Da Nang - ASEAN foreign relations.

Reporting by X.HAU, M.QUE, Q.CUONG - Translating by M.DUNG