Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse will pay an official visit to Malaysia from May 24 to 28 at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his spouse.

During the trip, the Vietnamese delegation will also attend the 46th ASEAN Summit and related high-level meetings in Kuala Lumpur.

Vietnam and Malaysia established diplomatic relations on March 30, 1973. The two countries upgraded their relationship to a Strategic Partnership during former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s official visit to Malaysia (August 7-8, 2015), and most recently elevated it to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during General Secretary To Lam’s official visit (November 21-23, 2024).

Malaysia is Vietnam’s second-largest trading partner in ASEAN (after Thailand) and 11th globally. Conversely, Vietnam is Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner within ASEAN.

In 2024, bilateral trade reached more than USD 14.2 billion, up over 12% compared to 2023. Vietnam exported nearly USD 5.1 billion and imported over USD 9.1 billion worth of goods.

Malaysia is also the second-largest ASEAN investor in Vietnam (after Singapore) and ranks 11th out of 143 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, with 731 valid projects totaling USD 13 billion. Key investment sectors include education and training, energy (electricity, gas, water), and processing and manufacturing industries.

Over the past five decades, Vietnam and Malaysia have maintained strong multi-faceted cooperation. In 2023, the two nations celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

The 46th ASEAN Summit and related high-level meetings will take place in Kuala Lumpur on May 26-27, gathering senior leaders from the 10 ASEAN member states, Timor-Leste, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and China.

Under the theme “Inclusive and Sustainable,” the summits will provide a crucial platform for leaders to exchange views, assess progress, and chart strategic directions for strengthening cooperation. The goal is to maintain momentum in building the ASEAN Community while enhancing the region’s resilience and coordinated response to emerging challenges.

The ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Summit, to be held during the 46th ASEAN Summit on May 26-27, marks the first such gathering among ASEAN, GCC, and China, proposed by host nation Malaysia. It will be held alongside the second ASEAN-GCC Summit.

Leaders are expected to discuss measures to boost tripartite economic cooperation, with a focus on trade, investment, supply chain connectivity, energy and sustainable development, digital transformation and innovation, agriculture and food security, tourism, education, and cultural exchange.

The summit is expected to adopt a Joint Declaration affirming the three sides’ commitment to enhanced economic cooperation.

The Vinh