Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, is currently visiting Vietnam in an effort to mend relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and attract foreign investment. As the head of Myanmar’s military-backed government, Min Aung Hlaing has been increasing his diplomatic efforts since he became president in April 2021, following an election widely seen as consolidating the military’s control over the country. His recent travels include visits to several countries, such as India, China, Laos, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Russia, where he has met with leaders and participated in business forums aimed at boosting economic ties. Vietnam has long had military ties with Myanmar, including defense cooperation and joint ventures in telecommunications. For instance, Viettel, a Vietnamese military-run telecommunications company, has been involved in Mytel, a major telecom operator in Myanmar that has military-linked ownership. However, economic relations between the two countries have weakened in recent years, with bilateral trade dropping significantly—from $853 million in 2020 to $590 million in 2025 and $335 million in the first half of 2026. Min Aung Hlaing shared these figures with Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung during their meeting in Myanmar in late August, according to Vietnam’s foreign ministry. Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Hanoi on Friday, where he is expected to meet with Vietnamese President To Lam and other senior officials. He will also attend a business forum with members of his Cabinet, continuing his outreach to regional partners. This visit marks Min Aung Hlaing’s third trip to an ASEAN member state as he works to restore Myanmar’s position within the 11-nation bloc, of which both Myanmar and Vietnam are members. Min Aung Hlaing’s efforts to reengage with ASEAN and the international community come after years of diplomatic isolation following the military’s ousting of Aung San Suu Kyi’s government in February 2021. At that time, he was barred from high-level ASEAN meetings for failing to comply with a peace plan agreed upon in April 2021. Western governments have also imposed sanctions on Min Aung Hlaing and his associates for their role in the overthrow of Suu Kyi’s government, which was followed by widespread protests, a military crackdown, and a violent civil war that continues to this day.