"One of the first initiatives undertaken by Viet Nam when its turn came to chair ASEAN for the first time was the formulation and adoption of the Ha Noi Declaration on Narrowing Development Gap for Closer ASEAN Integration. This declaration was signed at the 34th AMM held in Ha Noi on 23 July 2001. The declaration committed the organization to devote special efforts and resources for promoting the development of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Viet Nam with priority given to infrastructure and human resource development, and information and communication technology.

"That message was heard by ASEAN which responded with a comprehensive program called the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI), which is aimed at narrowing the development gap within ASEAN. The IAI Work Plan was adopted by the ASEAN Leaders in Phnom Penh in 2002. By the first quarter of 2005, the IAI had generated resources amounting to about 20 million USD and was in the process of implementing about 85 projects. Cooperation activities in the IAI make ASEAN relevant to the lives of our people.
 
"Viet Nam has also been very active in contributing to managing ASEAN’s external relations. It was the Country Coordinator for ASEAN’s relations with the Russian Federation from 1997 to 2000 and with the United States from 2000 to 2003. It is the present Country Coordinator for ASEAN’s relations with Australia. Viet Nam steered ASEAN in convening the ASEAN-Australia and New Zealand Commemorative Summit on 30 November 2004 in Vientiane, Laos, and in signing the Declaration of Intent by Australia to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South East Asia on 28 July 2005.
 
"Another important contribution of Viet Nam is the transformation of the South China Sea from an area of conflict into an area of cooperation. Viet Nam worked jointly with the Philippines in drafting the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea which was eventually adopted by the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN and China in November 2002. It has been an important instrument for the maintenance of peace, stability and confidence building in the region.
 
"The adoption of the ASEAN Concord II, which aims to establish an ASEAN Community, based on the three pillars of the ASEAN Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Culture Community, has shaped an increasingly interdependent Southeast Asia. The internationalization of capital, trade liberalization and movement of labour across borders are the drivers of Southeast Asia’s regional economic integration. However, in the case of promoting peace, security and socio-cultural harmony, conscious and deliberate efforts need to be undertaken by governments, civil society groups, the academic community, the mass media and ordinary citizens. The Bali Concord II is a reaffirmation of the shared destiny of the ten Southeast Asian countries as one community. Everyone in ASEAN has a part to play in building this community. The Bali Concord II spelt this out clearly.
 
"In the years to come, Viet Nam will increasingly become a key member of ASEAN. With its commitment to a market economy, it is only a matter of time before its talented and hard working people will turn the country into a newly-industrializing economy. I believe that a peaceful and prosperous ASEAN will help Viet Nam achieve its national development goals earlier than expected. It is in the interest of Viet Nam to make ASEAN stronger and more important in the international arena.
 
"It is my impression that Viet Nam has progressed steadily and the life of its people has improved significantly. The energetic interest of its people in globalization and technological advancement is the most remarkable characteristic of Viet Nam today. Viet Nam will become a successful Asian economy within a short time".