Cebu: Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung joined his counterparts from other ASEAN member countries and the ASEAN Secretary-General at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMM Retreat) that opened in Cebu, the Philippines, on January 29 under the chair of Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro. Also on January 29, on the sidelines of the AMM Retreat, Trung had meetings with his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan and Timor-Leste's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito dos Santos Freitas.

According to Vietnam News Agency, the retreat provided a platform for ASEAN foreign ministers to discuss strategic and regional issues. The meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation among member states and address pressing challenges facing the region. The discussions also focused on enhancing economic collaboration, security, and cultural exchanges within the ASEAN framework.

The bilateral meetings held by Minister Trung with his Singaporean and Timor-Leste counterparts were part of efforts to bolster Vietnam's diplomatic relations within the region. The talks with Singapore's Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Timor-Leste's Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas explored opportunities for increased cooperation in trade, investment, and other areas of mutual interest.