According to the Multilateral Trade Policy Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), the 30th ASEAN Economic Ministers' Retreat took place from March 8 to March 9, 2024, in Luang Prabang, Laos, with the participation of the ASEAN Secretary-General, ASEAN Economic Ministers, and Timor-Leste (participating as an observer).

The Vietnamese delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, included representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At the conference, ministers approved 14 priority economic deliverables (PEDs) proposed by Laos for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024, under the theme "ASEAN: Advancing Connectivity and Resilience." The initiatives focus on three main directions: (1) Economic recovery and connectivity; (2) Building an inclusive and sustainable future; (3) Transitioning towards a digital future. The 2024 PEDs from Laos are noted for incorporating both the continuation of ASEAN’s achievements from 2023 and addressing new issues and content.

The conference also agreed on the annual priorities for 2024 within the economic channel, focusing on areas such as: trade in goods, trade facilitation, customs, trade in services and movement of persons, investment, finance, competition, intellectual property, e-commerce, and micro, small, and medium enterprises. Additionally, ministers approved the ASEAN Services Facilitation Framework (ASFF).

Ministers also concentrated on discussing other significant issues related to ASEAN economic cooperation, including the status of negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), negotiations on the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Digital Economy (DEFA), the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Competition, upgrading the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA), implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the progress of sustainability initiatives within the ASEAN Economic Community, recommendations from the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration regarding the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025, the strategic plan for the ASEAN Economic Community for 2026-2030, the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, and ASEAN’s strategies for emerging issues in ASEAN+1 Free Trade Agreements.

The conference acknowledged positive signals in the ASEAN economic landscape for 2023, despite the global uncertainties. According to ASEAN Secretariat data, the region's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to grow by 4.7%, surpassing the global average of 3.1%. In terms of trade, as of the third quarter of 2023, ASEAN's merchandise trade volume reached $2.6 trillion. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) also showed strong performance, with FDI inflows totaling approximately $41.1 billion in the third quarter of 2023. ASEAN's tourism sector saw a significant recovery, attracting 101.9 million tourists in 2023, a 136.2% increase compared to 2022.
On the sidelines of the conference, ministers engaged with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC), acknowledging ABAC's priorities for 2024 and its recommendations to enhance the business environment within ASEAN. Vietnam expressed support for Laos' priority economic cooperation initiatives for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024. Vietnam committed to closely collaborating with Laos and other ASEAN countries to achieve the set goals and plans, contributing to the overall success of ASEAN 2024. Vietnam also emphasized the importance of prioritizing activities that promote economic recovery and connectivity, particularly in negotiating new agreements, upgrading existing ASEAN agreements, and engaging with ASEAN's external partners.