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ASEAN CENTRALITY & INDONESIA - VIETNAM RELATIONS

Preprint · August 2021

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.26116.45443

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Hendra Manurung
Universitas Padjadjaran
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 ASEAN CENTRALITY & INDONESIA – VIETNAM RELATIONS

Hendra Manurung*

This paper aims to describe ASEAN centrality and Indonesia and Vietnam relations in
Southeast Asia region, as the strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation. In Southeast Asia,
Indonesia remains a strategic major actor. Indonesia always encourages ASEAN centrality to all
ASEAN member-states in responding with any issues that arise in one of the world's busiest
trade areas, one of which relates to the rivalry between the United States and China. ASEAN
centrality was again needed since its establishment in 1967 amid the COVID-19 outbreak in
Southeast Asia to capitalize on and optimize current and future economic opportunities
(Indonesia Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2021). This includes showing that the rise of Asia is not
only about the resurrection of China with its peaceful arise (Utami, 2021), but also the
awakening of the Asia Pacific new economic powers in Southeast Asia (Indonesia), ASEAN and
South Asia (India).
Indonesia's relations with Vietnam began in 1955. At that time, Mr. Soedibjo
Wirjowerdojo is the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia who was first appointed and
appointed to the post of pioneering diplomatic representative at the level of the Consulate
General of the Republic of Indonesia for Vietnam who is still domiciled in Hanoi.
Vietnam and Indonesia are members of ASEAN. Indonesian President Megawati
Sukarnoputri visited Vietnam in June 2003. At this time the two countries signed the
"Declaration on the Framework of Friendly and Comprehensive Cooperation Entering the 21 st
Century" (The Voice of Vietnam, 2006). The framework is considered an important legal
foundation for further promoting all-round cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia.
In May, 2005, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited Vietnam. And in December
of the same year celebrations were held in their respective capitals to celebrate the 50 th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. During President Yudhoyno’s state-
official visit to Vietnam in May 2005, the two countries agreed to turn bilateral relations into
strategic partnership in the region. Indonesia wants its ties with Vietnam to become an important
pillar of relationship in Southeast Asia.

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 Since 2013, the two countries have established a Strategic Partnership with deep
cooperation in all fields which include, among others: political and diplomatic dialogue, defense
and security cooperation, economic cooperation, as well as tourism promotion, cultural
exchange, and people to people contact (Winata, 2021).
Further, in the field of foreign policy, the two countries, Vietnam and Indonesia also have
a strong foundation and a clear vision. The similarity of culture, the history of the struggle for
independence, the idea of national resilience has brought the two nations together. During Cold
War (1945-1990), the traditional friendship between the two countries was also established by
the intensive interaction of the two great leaders and founders of the country, namely President
Ho Chi Minh and President Soekarno. These two leaders are who have laid the foundations for
friendly relations between Vietnam and Indonesia. In its 65-year history, this relationship has
been maintained and developed by generations of leaders and the people of the two countries to
this day. In the midst of the rivalry between the US and China in the South China Sea region, the
two countries in Southeast Asia need to continuously optimize efforts to maintain and develop
strategic relations in the region (Manurung, 2020).
In the international world, Vietnam and Indonesia have many common views in various
regional and international forums. 2020 has been an extraordinary year for Vietnam and
Indonesia. These two countries have similar interest to boost cooperation and coordination
because both countries are non-permanent members of the UN Security Council and Vietnam is
the chair of ASEAN (Tri Verdiana, 2020). While in the economic field, the economies of the two
countries are not only strong, competitive, but also closely related. In the last 5 years, two-way
trade volume increased 60% from US$5.6 billion in 2014 to US$9.1 billion in 2019.
Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Southeast Asia, in November 2020, the
bilateral trade volume between the two countries reached nearly US$7.5 billion.
However, in Southeast Asia, still there are several strategic issues related to regional
security stability and economic growth to be considered by policy-makers, such as: 1) the US-
China rivalry, 2) the development of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, 3) tensions in the
South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula, 4) handling the COVID-19 pandemic, 5) global
value chains, 6) socio-political conditions in Myanmar, 7) sub-regional cooperation and
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) delimitation negotiations.

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 For Indonesia, Vietnam is the 4th largest trading partner in Southeast Asia and ASEAN.
The total value of bilateral trade between the two countries has almost doubled in the last five
years, from 2015 to 2020. Meanwhile, in the period from January to January 2021, the total trade
between the two countries reached US$ 5,522,709.8 (Indonesia Ministry of Trade, 2021).
Indonesia is ranked 28th in Vietnam's foreign direct investment (FDI) and 5th among ASEAN
FDI.
The bilateral cooperation in tourism, culture and people-to-people exchanges has made
great progress for Jakarta and Hanoi. Viet Nam Airlines and Viet Jet Air in 2019 have opened
direct flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Denpasar (Bali). In 2019, the number of
Indonesian tourists to Vietnam increased by 21.3% to 108,000 people. More than 80,000
Vietnamese tourists went to Indonesia.
Furthermore, in recent years, defense and security cooperation between Vietnam and
Indonesia has developed rapidly. In 2017, the Ministry of Defense of Vietnam and the Ministry
of Defense of Indonesia signed the Declaration on the Joint Vision for Defense Cooperation
2017-2022.
Since then, the two countries have made great efforts to promote bilateral cooperation
and generate mutual understanding and trust between the peoples and armies of the two
countries.
At the end of December 2019, Indonesia and Vietnam had agreed to enhance bilateral
cooperation and strengthen their role in regional and global stability and peace (ANTARA,
2019). Vietnam and Indonesia have important strategic interests and will cooperate bilaterally
and within the ASEAN framework to maintain regional security and stability, particularly in
dealing with the current regional security at South China Sea. ASEAN as the only regional
organization has played its central role, particularly in facilitating Indonesia and Vietnam closer
cooperation (The Voice of Vietnam, 2006).
The defense cooperation as a pillar is an integral part of the Vietnam and Indonesia
strategic partnership, where it is understood that Indonesia has an important role and contribute
potentially in maintaining and promoting peace, stability and development in the region and
therefore Vietnam expects to further enhance defense cooperation with Indonesia in 2021.
In response to the global COVID-19 outbreak, Vietnam and Indonesia recognize the
importance of cooperation to prevent and stop the world-wide epidemic. Within the bilateral

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framework, the two countries have taken further steps to support each other and share
experiences in dealing with the outbreak in a spirit of solidarity and friendship.
The Vietnamese government, National Assembly, and business people already have the
appropriate form of support and assistance for Indonesia with an emphasis on critical medical
supplies.
Within the multilateral framework, Vietnam in its role as ASEAN Chairman 2020 has
actively coordinated with Indonesia to organize the ASEAN Special Summit between ASEAN
and East Asia partner countries, special ministerial level meetings, and other relevant meetings to
discuss COVID-19 quick response measures.
Vietnam and Indonesia have had traditional friendly relations for a long time. Diplomatic
relations between the two countries have been going on for more than 65 years. Despite various
political upheavals in the region and around the world, Vietnam and Indonesia have always been
reliable and trusted friends. Indonesia and Vietnam has shown good progress, including regional
security, defense cooperation, military, agriculture, fishery, culture, education, public health,
sports, and youth empowerment.
The two countries have regularly coordinated in regional organizations such as the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the
ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum and the
East Asian Forum.
At the United Nations Security Council, the two countries also jointly promoted the
adoption of relevant resolutions on concrete cooperation in dealing with the pandemic.
Suppose in the future, the Vietnam and Indonesia strategic partnership will bring great
success and creating new developments to Southeast Asia regions post COVID-19 pandemic in
particular.
Indonesia and Vietnam together have played a major role in efforts to strengthen ASEAN
cooperation and also played a role in realizing peace, security and stability in the region,
especially in dealing with disputes in the South China Sea (Indonesia Ministry of Defense,
2018). ASEAN is very important for Vietnam and Indonesia. Defense cooperation relations
between the two countries have become stronger and closer. Hanoi views Jakarta's continuous
role and active contribution to strengthen cooperation among ASEAN member countries.

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 Indonesia committed to continue bilateral relations with Vietnam for the benefit of the
people of both countries. Indonesia and Vietnam are also expected to continue working together
to maintain stability and security in the region and together to get out of the COVID-19 current
pandemic situation.
In the future, the cooperative relationship between the two countries can continue to be
improved both in the framework of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the ASEAN forum.
To conclude, Indonesia with Vietnam agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation and
strengthen the role and contribution of sustainable regional security stability and global peace.

References

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global. Antara News. Available at: https://www.antaranews.com/berita/1221248/indonesia-
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Indonesia Ministry of Defense. (2018, January 4). Berpamitan Kepada Menhan RI, Dubes
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Indonesia Ministry of Trade. (2021). Trade Balance with Trading Partners. Available at:
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Manurung, H. (2020, December 16). Indonesia - Vietnam Relations: Challenge to SE Asia

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The Voice of Vietnam. (2006, July 24). ASEAN Plays Central Role in Regional Development.
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 The Voice of Vietnam. (2006, February 21). Vietnam, Indonesia Aim for All-Round Cooperation
development. VOV News. Available at:
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Tri Verdiana, B. M. (2020, December 22). Kemiripan Budaya dan Sejarah Jadi Fondasi 65
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tahun-hubungan-diplomatik-vietnam-indonesia, accessed on 1 August 2021.

Utami, L. D. (2021, August 15). RI Dorong Sentralitas ASEAN untuk Hadapi Rivalitas AS-
China. Available at: https://www.tribunnews.com/internasional/2021/08/15/ri-dorong-sentralitas-
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Winata, D. K. (2021, April 24). Indonesia-Vietnam Perkuat Hubungan Bilateral. Media

Indonesia. Available at: https://mediaindonesia.com/politik-dan-hukum/400389/indonesia-
vietnam-perkuat-hubungan-bilateral, accessed on 20 July 2021.

* Hendra Manurung is currently doctoral candidate in international relations at Padjadjaran University,

Bandung, West Java, Indonesia.

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