SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

Committee : Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Country : Socialist Republic of Vietnam

“Towards a Greater ASEAN Integration”

Issue I

Rohingya became the main problem for ASEAN for now to established Towards a Great ASEAN
Integration. This issue shows us that we as the member of the ASEAN prefer to be silent and put the
principle of non-interference forwards that makes us blinded for this issue. Vientam believe that
military act of Myanmar against Rohingya had passed the limit and violenced the content of ASCC
Blueprint 2025 agreement in order to protect and ensure the safety for Rohingya. By seeing this
Vietnam believe with this problem that shown ASEAN integration won’t worked if ASEAN member
states put the non-interference forward against Rohingya.
Rohingya issue is getting worse lately and become a major topic in Southeast Asia and even
Vietnam. Vietnam has learned from events similar to the Vietnam-Cambodia war in May 1975.
Therefore, Vietnam is committed to participating in addressing the humanitarian crisis issues such as
Rohingya Issues in accordance with the application of ASCC Blueprint 2025. So far Vietnam has given
full support to Bangladesh which is home to the largest number of Rohingya refugees. This is evidenced
on March 5, 2018 President of Vietnam Tran Dai Quang visited Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh
Hasina and dialogue for regional cooperation. As a result, Vietnam is willing to come and help
Bangladesh provide assistance for Rohingya refugees. Also on March 4, 2018, when Vietnamese
President Tran Dai Quang addressed the Nehru National Museum & Library in India, he admitted he
was dreaming about ASEAN would rise to become a geo-politic, geo-economic, and cultural center of the
world.
The easing of tension in Rakhine State this several times because Myanmar is in tension between
some other states for this Rohingya case. To reduce the Rohingya’s people suffering, so we would like to
suggest some solution :
1. Dialogue : ASEAN should held conference for both sides
In this peaceful condition in Rakhine State, ASEAN should change the quo status for both
Rohingya and Myanmar’s government to build secure and trust issue for them. ASEAN invite
representation of Rohingya’s people accompanied by Indonesia because Indonesia is the state
that has the most moslem populations in the world and Myanmar’s military junta accompanied
by Thailand because they have the same history about military junta. While Singapore as
moderator because Singapore is developed countries and Singapore is in neutral status.
2. Humanity : sending psychiatrist for the refugees
Psychological condition cause of eviction by Myanmar’s military weapon, create a great scar for
Rohingya. The impact makes Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh not only requiring food and place
for a living but also morale support, especially for woman and children. Because the refugees are
already outside ASEAN region, so ASEAN asking for help from UNHRC and WHO to handle body
and mental health for the refugees.

Issue II
Economic harmonization is a must for every regional in order to increase welfare in every
member country, example ASEAN. From a survey that published ASEAN is ranked 6th in the world and
ranked 3rd in Asia if GDP every state in ASEAN summed. This enhancement and economic strength in
ASEAN supported with trade and investment between ASEAN member and non-ASEAN member. We
are grateful with AEC, the standard of living in our country increase, and we hope member between
ASEAN will be more happier by doing this trade and investment between ASEAN member. The
Vietnamese professional see AEC integration as a good opportunity to develop their career. We expect
there is no gap income or massive GINI ratio in every ASEAN states.
 Trade and Investment has had a very positive effect on Vietnam since joining ASEAN on 28 July
1995 and signing many bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs). Launched from the WTO, from January
2016 to September 2017, Vietnam recorded $ 28.3 billion in FDI disbursed due to a shift in production
values that grew higher. Vietnam's economic growth in 2018 is estimated to be 6.7% better than in 2017.
Moreover, Vietnam is also included in the CLMV area strategically located in the heart of ASEAN, a hub
for many major trade routes around the world. Since the AEC phase begins in 2015, ASEAN and
Vietnam expect the CLMV area to be a good choice as a new production base and potential region for
expanding trade and investment markets. The issue of halal certification that is expected to inhibit Non-
Tariff Measures (NTM), for Vietnam is not a problem. Therefore, Vietnam can make halal certification
into a profitable business opportunity. Moreover, Vietnam's exports increased dramatically, especially in
food and agriculture with the Muslim-majority country becoming the largest customer. Vietnam has
Halal Certification Agency (HCA Vietnam), one of 111 official halal certification organizations worldwide
and has its own qualifications for halal products so that Muslims will not hesitate in consuming halal
products from Vietnam.
Solutions Issue 2 :
1. Policy enforcement: Customs Deduction and Cost of Unloading Ports Against
Halal Products and Other Food Products.
In addition to halal certification issues that hamper NTM for some ASEAN countries, Customs
fees and port loading and unloading costs are also factors inhibiting NTM for almost all
countries in the ASEAN region. Therefore, it is necessary to have policies from every ASEAN
region countries to reduce customs fees and port loading and unloading costs on imported
products, especially halal products and food products. Thus, the occurrence of price equality
of imported products, especially halal products and food products in order to accelerate NTM
and increase trade between ASEAN countries
2. Economic Empowerment: Prioritize CLMV countries in the AEC program to
Improve the Economic Levels.
Since running the AEC program in 2015, ASEAN should focus first on economic
empowerment of CLMV countries so that it is equivalent to other ASEAN countries. AEC
programs are implemented by strengthening cooperation between CLMV countries and major
countries such as USA, UK, Japan, South Korea, etc. In addition, ASEAN also can enforce the
exchange of teachers, especially industrial and economic fields so that the CLMV countries
can catch up with their economics
3. Strengthening Promotion: Promoting CLMV Countries to Investor Countries as a
Production Base For Increasing Economic Growth.
Although Vietnam already has a large production base of food and agricultural products,
Vietnam still lacks production base in the fields of electronics, energy, pharmaceuticals, etc.
Therefore, it needs a strong promotion from ASEAN to the investor countries to create
cooperation in establishing production base in CLMV countries. Because basically, the CLMV
Countries believe they have strong natural resources to create a production base other than
food and agriculture products.
References

Vietnam To Stand By Bangladesh On Rohngya Crisis. (2018). [online] Available at :

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/2018/03/05/vietnam-
bangladesh-rohingya-crisis/

Vietnam: Nation To Comply With Halal Requirements. (2011). [online] Available at:
http://halalfocus.net/vietnam-nation-to-comply-with-halal-requirements/

An Economist Perspective on Vietnam’s Trade Future (2017). [online] Available at :

http://www.vir.com.vn/an-economist-perspective-on-vietnams-trade-future-53519.html

Vietnam’s Economic Growth Will Accelerate In 2018 As Inventors Flood The Country. (2017). [online]
Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ralphjennings/2017/12/27/vietnams-
economy-will-soar-again-in-2018-because-investors-just-love-it/amp/

Vietnamese Professionals Optimistic About AEC. [online] Available at:

https://www.navigosgroup.com/vietnamese-professionals-optimistic-about-asean-
economic-community/