Strengthening their alliance: Brazil and Việt Nam reinforce mutual relationships

Brazil and Vietnam have been fostering a strong strategic partnership, marked by shared visions, expanded trade, and growing cooperation in various sectors.

Established diplomatic relations in 1989, the two nations have since made significant strides in their relationship. In 2022, Brazil was admitted as an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner, with Vietnam's support, marking a new era in their bilateral ties.

Trade exchanges between the two countries have reached record levels and continue to expand. In 2024, bilateral trade was valued at US$8 billion, making Brazil Vietnam's largest trading partner in South America.

The partnership extends beyond trade, with bilateral exchanges strengthening in other areas. Educational cooperation has been a focus, with the partnership between the Department of Portuguese at the University of Hà Nội and Brazil resulting in approximately 350 students attending the Portuguese programme.

In November 2023, Luciana Santos, Minister of Science and Technology and President of the Communist Party of Brazil (PC do B), visited Hà Nội. During her visit, she met with Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and the chairman of the Communist Party's Foreign Affairs Committee.

Significant milestones were achieved during Lula da Silva's visit to Vietnam in March 2023. The two sides signed a Joint Declaration and Plan of Action for the Strategic Partnership. The declaration emphasised their commitment to further develop cooperation in research, technology, innovation, and sustainable development.

The partnership also includes advancing negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and MERCOSUR. The Brazilian government announced this commitment in 2025.

In addition to trade and education, the two nations have been aligning their positions in multilateral forums, advocating for a fair global trade framework grounded in international law.

Bilateral cooperation has also been evident in other areas, such as defence and agriculture. During Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính's visit to Brazil in 2023, several agreements were signed, including an Agreement on Educational Cooperation, a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation, the Plan of Action for Cooperation in Agriculture for the period 2024-2026, and a Work Plan (2023-2025) between the Rio Branco Institute and the Việt Nam Diplomatic Academy.

Judicial cooperation and e-government practices have also been on the agenda, with a mission led by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Việt Nam, Nguyễn Hoà Bình, visiting Brazil from October 9 to 15, 2024.

The 'Ethanol Talks' Forum, organised by the Brazilian Embassy in partnership with UNICA and APLA, further solidified the cooperation between the two countries.

The strategic partnership between Brazil and Vietnam continues to flourish, with both nations looking forward to a prosperous future together.

Strengthening their alliance: Brazil and Việt Nam reinforce mutual relationships