Vietnam is set to take centre stage at Asia’s premier security summit as President Tô Lâm delivers the keynote address at the 2026 IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
Vietnam’s growing diplomatic and strategic role in the Asia-Pacific will be highlighted at the upcoming IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2026, where President Tô Lâm is scheduled to deliver the keynote address during the opening dinner of the summit in Singapore. Organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the annual dialogue is regarded as Asia’s leading defence and security forum, bringing together heads of state, defence ministers, military officials, policymakers, and international experts from across the world.
President Tô Lâm’s participation reflects Vietnam’s increasingly prominent position within regional security and geopolitical discussions. According to IISS, the Vietnamese leader will deliver the keynote address on 29 May 2026 during the opening session of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore. The event is expected to focus on pressing Indo-Pacific security challenges, including maritime security, cross-regional threats, strategic competition, and regional stability.
The keynote appearance also comes at a time when Vietnam continues to strengthen its international partnerships and diplomatic influence within ASEAN and beyond. Analysts note that Vietnam’s role in regional affairs has become increasingly important amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and growing discussions surrounding security cooperation in the South China Sea and the wider Indo-Pacific region. Bloomberg reported that President Tô Lâm’s address would provide Vietnam with a significant international platform to articulate its strategic perspectives on regional security and cooperation.
In addition to attending the Shangri-La Dialogue, President Tô Lâm is also expected to undertake a state visit to Singapore at the invitation of Tharman Shanmugaratnam. The visit further underscores the strengthening relationship between Vietnam and Singapore across diplomacy, trade, and regional collaboration. As ASEAN nations continue navigating an increasingly complex global environment, Vietnam’s presence at the summit highlights the country’s ambition to contribute actively to regional dialogue, stability, and multilateral cooperation.
Source: IISS
Photo Credit: Viet Nam Government News
