Jakarta, Sept. 18 -- Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-a milestone that invites reflection not only on history, but on the future of regionalism in Southeast Asia.

Vietnam's entry in 1995 was more than a symbolic expansion; it was a strategic turning point that reshaped ASEAN's identity, credibility, and geopolitical posture.

From the outset, Vietnam's membership added political and economic weight to the grouping.

Emerging from post-war reconstruction and the Doi Moi reforms, Vietnam brought a dynamic economy and a pragmatic foreign policy that aligned with ASEAN's principles of non-interference, consensus, and peaceful cooperation.

Despite differences in political systems, Vietnam's approach to diplomacy had long resonated with ASEAN'...