Viet Nam is emerging as a strong potential driver within the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), thanks to its outstanding competitiveness in manufacturing and industrial production.

According to Dr. Zokhri Idris, Senior Analyst in International Relations at the University of Malaya, Viet Nam has become an essential link in the regional economic architecture. Since joining ASEAN, Viet Nam has made active contributions by providing an abundant workforce and developing special economic zones, creating favorable conditions for ASEAN enterprises to expand production and investment across the region.

Viet Nam’s impressive economic growth, along with its strong competitiveness in key manufacturing sectors such as textiles and electronics, has made the country a standout performer in ASEAN’s economic integration process. However, the main challenge now lies in maintaining sustainable GDP growth while navigating trade barriers, particularly tariffs imposed by major markets such as the United States.

Dr. Zokhri expressed hope that deeper economic integration would further strengthen supply chain linkages between Viet Nam and other ASEAN Member States, generating mutually beneficial outcomes for the entire region.

At the same time, Viet Nam is implementing a series of forward-looking economic strategies focusing on high-tech development, investment attraction, clean energy transition, digital economy growth, and improving education and human resource quality. If aligned with the region’s broader development pathways, these efforts could serve as an important value addition to realizing the ASEAN Vision 2045.

Photo: The 26th ASEAN Economic Community Council Meeting, October 2025, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Source: Vietnam News Agency