Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered...

Vietnam and ASEAN: Benefits of Membership

Vietnam became a member of ASEAN in July 1995, and this move was a key step in its international integration. Being part of ASEAN (18) __________.

First, trade and economy. ASEAN is now Vietnam’s fourth – largest export market and third – largest import partner. Two – way trade between Vietnam and ASEAN grew from about US$3.26 billion in 1995 to about US$83.6 billion in 2024. (19) __________.

Second, social and development benefits. Through ASEAN, Vietnam is involved in cooperation in education, healthcare, climate change, digital transformation and agriculture, (20) __________. These fields help improve the quality of life for many Vietnamese people — for example better healthcare coordination and green technologies reaching Vietnam from regional partners.

Third, political stability and international role. (21) __________. It also raises Vietnam’s global profile as a responsible partner and increases its diplomatic weight.

Of course, with benefits come responsibilities. Having joined ASEAN, (22) __________. But overall, Vietnam’s membership in ASEAN has been a valuable asset for its growth and future.

Question 18: 

A. is a fact that has brought Vietnam many benefits in trade, culture, development, and stability

B. will only bring great benefits to Vietnam in terms of political stability, but not in trade or culture

C. was the key factor leading to significant political changes, which have yet to yield economic benefits

D. has brought Vietnam many benefits in trade, culture, development, and stability

Question 19: 

A. Rarely does the regional economic cooperation and the free trade agreements offer Vietnamese businesses such access to external markets and investment opportunities

B. Thanks to free trade agreements and regional economic cooperation, Vietnamese businesses have access to more markets and more chances to export goods and attract foreign investment

C. Not only has Vietnamese access to markets and investment improved, but regional economic cooperation remains surprisingly ineffective due to a lack of free trade agreements

D. Despite the implementation of free trade agreements and increased regional economic cooperation, Vietnamese businesses still face substantial difficulty accessing external markets and foreign investment opportunities

Question 20: 

A. which is why Vietnam has decided to stop investing in them

B. all of which are areas that directly affect people’s daily lives

C. most of which are considered less important than economic development

D. that are areas Vietnam has traditionally ignored in the past

Question 21: 

A. Being part of ASEAN gives Vietnam a role in shaping regional rules and cooperation frameworks

B. Vietnam’s membership has isolated it from the global community and reduced its diplomatic weight

C. Regional stability means Vietnam must increase its defense spending significantly every year

D. The political system in Vietnam remains unchanged despite pressure from other ASEAN members

Question 22:

A. the responsibility of Vietnam is to completely restrict its internal institutions to comply with the rules of its more developed neighboring countries at all costs

B. Vietnam must follow regional rules, improve its internal institutions, and work with neighbouring countries for common goals of peace, security and sustainable growth

C. Vietnam now has the sole authority to unilaterally decide on regional rules, while still prioritizing its own national security and economic growth above all common objectives

D. it is clear that Vietnam's major responsibility is limited to increasing its two – way trade figures, which is often done at the expense of regional peace and security