​        Vietnam and Indonesia are two countries with a tradition of friendly relations. That friendship was built on the foundation by President Ho Chi Minh and President Sukarno and the generations of leaders and people of the two countries have worked hard to cultivate over the past 70 years. Indonesia was the first country in Southeast Asia with which Vietnam officially established diplomatic relations in 1955. Indonesian President Suharto was the first head of state in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific to visit Vietnam in 1990. The relations of two countries have developed rapidly since Vietnam joined ASEAN and established a Comprehensive Partnership in 2003. Vietnam became Indonesia's only strategic partner in Southeast Asia when the two countries upgraded their relationship in 2013.

 

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Indonesian President Joko Widodo at Labuan Bajo on May 9, 2023 within the framework of the 42nd ASEAN Summit (Photo VNA)

Friendship Relation, Comprehensive and Substantive Cooperation

According to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the Republic of Indonesia Ta Van Thong, the cooperation relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia is of great significance to the formation of the ASEAN Community as well as the role and position of ASEAN in the current regional structure. Previously, Indonesia was the leading country supporting Vietnam to join ASEAN. Reality proves that, with the active participation and contributions of Vietnam and its member countries that joined later, ASEAN has grown to become one of the most successful regional organizations in the world. Southeast Asia has maintained peace and stability for a long time, creating favorable conditions for the development and prosperity of member countries.

 

Indonesia is currently the Chair of ASEAN in 2023 (Photo VNA)

Over the years, Vietnam and Indonesia are both active members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The two countries always cooperate to contribute to the development of the ASEAN Economic Community. In ASEAN, Indonesia is the largest market with more than 280 million consumers, Vietnam is the third largest market with 100 million people and impressive economic growth. The political relations between the two countries keeps up the good growth.

In the bilateral relationship, the two countries have signed agreements and cooperation agreements in many fields, including the Action Plan to implement the Strategic Partnership for the period of 2019-2023. The localities of the two countries, including four pairs of twin provinces/cities namely Jakarta - Hanoi, Ba Ria-Vung Tau - Padang, Hue - Yogyakarta and Soc Trang - Lampung, also actively strengthened cooperation relations.

Economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries in recent years has achieved important progress and has much room for development. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia is currently Vietnam's third largest trading partner, focusing on the processing industry, manufacturing, accommodation and catering services. Meanwhile, Vietnam is Indonesia's fourth largest trading partner with 17 projects (total registered capital of 59 million USD) focusing on the fields of commerce, information technology, agriculture and industry. In spite of being affected by Covid-19 pandemic, two-way trade turnover has basically kept its growth momentum. Trade turnover in 2021 reached 11.5 billion USD, exceeded the target of 10 billion USD set by the two sides for the first time. It is expected that in 2023, the bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and Indonesia can reach or exceed 15 billion USD, soon achieving the goal set by the senior leaders of the two countries. 

Every year, Indonesia provides Vietnam with a number of short, medium and long-term scholarships in the fields of education, culture, language... The two countries have direct flights connecting Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City with Jakarta/Bali. In the context that both countries have reopened, the two sides encourage airlines to increase frequency and consider opening new routes connecting tourist destinations between the two countries. These areas of cooperation will contribute to promoting people-to-people exchanges and enhancing mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

The Vietnamese community in Indonesia has about 300 people, mainly settling down, doing long-term business in the host country, integrating well with local life, having a stable life and having some successful business examples in Jakarta and Bali. The community in Indonesia is highly aware of the national spirit and enthusiastically participates in activities towards the homeland and the country. Despite being a small community, the Vietnamese in Indonesia also act as a bridge of friendship between the two countries.

Strengthening friendship relations with the Indonesian people in Dong Nai province

 

Indonesian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Agustaviano Sofjan and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Cao Tien Dung at the ASEAN Cultural Exchange Program organized by the Dong Nai Friendship Union

With advantages in the southern key economic region and fast economic development, Dong Nai has made many positive contributions to the country's socio-economic development, contributing to improving human life in the province, developing the local economy, promoting economic and educational cooperation with ASEAN member countries, including Indonesia.

In the economic field: In recent years, the economic growth rate of Dong Nai has always reached a high and stable level, averaging 8% per year. Up to now, there are 32 industrial zones established in the province with a total area of more than 10 thousand hectares; 45 countries and territories have invested in 1,567 projects with total registered capital of 33.5 billion USD. In which, Indonesian investors have 2 projects with a total registered capital of 14.3 million USD.

In the field of people-to-people exchanges: In 2021, the Vietnam - ASEAN Friendship Association - the first multilateral friendship association of the province was born, which has become a bridge to build and cultivate solidarity and friendship between the people of Dong Nai with the people of ASEAN countries, including Indonesia. It has mobilized the participation of organizations, individuals and all classes of people in local people-to-people diplomacy activities, contributing to socio-economic development of the province. In 2022, the Consulate General of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City  coordinated with the Dong Nai Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam - ASEAN Friendship Association to organize a cultural exchange festival, experience Indonesia's traditional batik drawing in Dong Nai as well as many others cultural exchange event with the Consulate General of ASEAN countries in Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, activities on cultural exchange, art and tourism between the people of Dong Nai and ASEAN countries will contribute to strongly promoting the image of the country and people of Vietnam with ASEAN and international friends.

 

Delegates experienced traditional Indonesian batik drawing in Dong Nai

According to Indonesian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Agustaviano Sofjan, Indonesia wishes to promote cooperation in the economic field with Dong Nai province and hopes to have more projects of Indonesian enterprises investing in Dong Nai, contributing to part of promoting two-way trade, strengthening cultural exchange activities, investment promotion, people-to-people exchanges with Dong Nai province in the coming time.