Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing visiting Vietnam as he seeks to normalize relations with ASEAN

Naypyitaw, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar's military-backed president, Min Aung Hlaing, is currently in Vietnam for talks aimed at normalizing relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and attracting foreign investment. Hlaing has increasingly engaged in diplomatic activities since his April inauguration, following an election that critics argue was designed to solidify the military's grip on power.

Since assuming office, Hlaing has journeyed to India, China, Laos, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Russia, all to meet with leaders and promote foreign investment through various business forums. Vietnam has had a long-standing military relationship with Myanmar, including defense cooperation and the involvement of Viettel, Vietnam's military-backed telecommunications company, in Mytel, one of Myanmar's leading telecom operators.

However, economic ties have declined, with bilateral trade dropping from $853 million in 2020 to $590 million in 2025 and $335 million in the first half of 2026, according to figures Hlaing shared with Vietnam's Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung during their meeting in Myanmar in late August, as reported by Vietnam's foreign ministry.

Min Aung Hlaing departed for Vietnam on a flight from the capital Naypyitaw on Friday morning. Upon his arrival in Hanoi, he is scheduled to meet with Vietnamese President To Lam and other top officials, as well as attend a business forum featuring members of his Cabinet. The increased diplomatic engagement is part of a broader strategy to reestablish connections with regional countries and the international community following a significant deterioration in relations after Hlaing's ousting of Aung San Suu Kyi's government in February 2021, while he was serving as the army chief.