In a significant diplomatic engagement on September 5, Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng and Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing convened in Hà Nội to discuss the enhancement of bilateral relations. The meeting marked President Min Aung Hlaing’s inaugural visit to Vietnam in his new capacity. Prime Minister Hưng expressed Vietnam’s steadfast support for Myanmar’s endeavors towards stability, reconciliation, dialogue, and economic advancement. In response, President Min Aung Hlaing lauded Vietnam’s socio-economic progress and its increasing influence on the regional and global stage, showing a keen interest in learning from Vietnam’s developmental journey.
The dialogue underscored the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two nations, with both leaders acknowledging recent advancements in their bilateral relations. They concurred on the necessity to bolster high-level exchanges and political trust, which are pivotal to their partnership. A key outcome of the meeting was the agreement to revive essential cooperative mechanisms in areas including trade, security, and defense. The two countries aim to deepen defense and security collaboration, focusing on combating cross-border crime, cybercrime, online fraud, and drug trafficking. Moreover, they plan to enhance military training, facilitate young officer exchanges, and address non-traditional security challenges together.
Economic cooperation emerged as a central theme of the discussions. Both leaders agreed to explore avenues to boost trade and update existing agreements related to trade, investment, and customs. Myanmar extended an invitation to Vietnamese enterprises to invest in sectors like telecommunications, digital transformation, high-tech agriculture, aquaculture, food processing, irrigation, and infrastructure. Additionally, they discussed the potential to improve infrastructure and air connectivity, including the restoration of direct flights and the development of joint tourism strategies, such as spiritual and medical tourism initiatives.
On the regional front, Vietnam reiterated its commitment to collaborating with ASEAN members to sustain dialogue and constructive engagement with Myanmar. Both nations emphasized the importance of resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with international law. As part of fostering closer ties, Prime Minister Hưng extended an invitation to President Min Aung Hlaing to participate in the CLMV Summit and preside over the ACMECS Summit scheduled in Hà Nội in November 2026. In a reciprocal gesture, the Myanmar president invited Prime Minister Hưng to visit Myanmar at a mutually agreeable time.