The dialogue consisted of five working sessions, at each of which two papers were presented followed by a discussion.

Discussions highlighted that a wider mechanism for regional economic and political integration is needed. New Zealand is seen as a natural partner in the region. The degree of regional influence of China, Russia, Japan, South Korea and the US was also analysed. Vietnam is now at the beginning of its term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, therefore there were also discussions about Vietnam's participation in the Council and UN reform in general.

The dynamics of the group were enhanced by the attendance of young leaders: Wook-Jin Lee of the Asia:NZ Young Leaders Network as well as young academics and officials in the Vietnamese delegation. Mr Lee made a significant contribution to discussions and the overall participation of young leaders was appreciated by all.

It was felt, on both sides, that this was an open and productive dialogue. The Track II process remains one of the essential building blocks of a deeper level of engagement.

Below is an outline of the working sessions, with corresponding papers.
 

Session I – New political and security architecture in East Asia

• Paper by Dr Richard Grant, Executive Director – Asia New Zealand Foundation

• Paper by Dr Nguyen Thi Que, Institute for International Relations – Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy
  

Session II – East Asia Economic Cooperation

• Paper by Dr Pham Thi Thanh Binh, Institute of World Economics and Politics

• Presentation by Mr. Brian Lynch, Executive Director – New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, and ASAC Alternate Member

Session III – Prospects for East Asian Integration

• Paper by Dr David Capie, Senior Lecturer in International Relations – Victoria University of Wellington

• Paper by Mr Nguyen An Duy, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV)

Session IV – United Nations Reform and the Role of  the UN Security Council

• Paper by Mr Terence O’Brien, Senior Fellow – New Zealand Centre for Strategic Studies

• Paper by Ms Pham Lan Dung, Dean of the Faculty of International Law – Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV)

Session V – Viet Nam-New Zealand Cooperation in Multilateral Institutions

• Paper by Dr James Kember, New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam

• Paper by Ms Vu Thu Thuy, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV)