Vietnam's Foreign Minister Praises Prabowo's Leadership, Eyes US$18 Billion Trade Target
Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung has expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s various achievements under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto. He expressed confidence that Indonesia will continue to make progress in achieving its national development targets.
‘We congratulate the people and Government of Indonesia on the various achievements that have been made, especially under the leadership of President Prabowo. We are confident that the Indonesian people, under the leadership of your President and Government, will achieve even more success in realising all the development goals that have been set,’ Trung said during the Indonesia-Vietnam Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) at the Pancasila Building in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He also affirmed Vietnam’s readiness to accelerate the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Indonesia, including expanding cooperation in the economic, defence, and security fields, as well as enhancing connectivity between the two countries through trade, investment, and people-to-people relations.
Trung noted that the trade trend between the two countries continues to show strong growth. According to information he received, the value of Indonesia-Vietnam trade has the potential to reach or even exceed the US$18 billion target in 2026. ‘Regarding trade, I was informed that the US$18 billion target might even be achieved this year, even surpassing the target we have set,’ Trung stated.
In agreement, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said both countries are committed to strengthening economic cooperation to maintain trade and investment momentum. ‘We reaffirmed our commitment to achieving the bilateral trade target of US$18 billion by 2028. To maintain this positive momentum, we agreed to strengthen trade and investment cooperation and eliminate all barriers faced by business actors in both countries,’ Sugiono said.
He explained that both countries are also committed to following up on all agreements and memoranda of understanding that have been reached to generate tangible benefits for businesses and the public.
During the 6th JCBC meeting, Indonesia and Vietnam also signed an Action Plan for the Implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which will serve as a guide for bilateral cooperation over the next five years. This agreement follows the elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year.
Beyond economic cooperation, the two countries are also strengthening collaboration in the political and security fields, including the implementation of the Exclusive Economic Zone agreement, maritime security, combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and addressing transnational crime, including narcotics.
Trung added that Indonesia-Vietnam relations continue to develop across various sectors. Connectivity between the two countries is also growing closer with the addition of flight routes connecting Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang with Jakarta, Bali, Medan, and Surabaya. ‘With the increasing number of direct flights, the number of Indonesian tourists visiting Vietnam surged by around 30% in the first four months of 2026,’ Trung said.
Both ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to continue strengthening coordination within ASEAN and various international forums to maintain regional stability as a foundation for economic growth and shared prosperity.