The alliance between Vietnam and Brazil: 34 years of collaboration and a promising future – Asia News

The close connection between Vietnam and Brazil originated between the 1960s and 1970s, while the Vietnamese people were fighting for their liberation and national unity, Brazilians carried out numerous actions demonstrating their support as solidarity.

Vietnam and Brazil officially established diplomatic relations on May 8, 1989, beginning a long-lasting and stable collaboration in their bilateral ties. On May 29, 2007, the relationship between both nations amounted to a comprehensive partnership that grew even more over the years.

Over the past 34 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the connection between Vietnam and Brazil has continuously and positively advanced, building political trust and mutual understanding.

Both nations have received numerous delegations from high-ranking ministerial figures; Among some of them, it is worth highlighting the official visit of Secretary General Nong Duc Manh to Brazil in May 2007 and the visit of the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, to Vietnam in July 2008. The leaders of both nations have met met on various occasions, further strengthening bilateral ties.

The most recent meeting took place between President Lula da Silva and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during the G7 Summit in Japan in May 2023.

The relationship between the National Assembly and the Parliamentary Friendship Group of both countries has also advanced, contributing to the expansion of bilateral collaboration between both countries, through the signing and implementation of 16 cooperation agreements in various fields, such as science and technology, maritime transport, civil aviation, agriculture, health, commerce, tourism, state diplomacy, cultural exchange and cooperation between both regions.

Likewise, the mechanism of the joint committee of both countries has been established and political consultations are being carried out between the ministries of Foreign Affairs, promoting cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Vietnam and Brazil maintain close coordination in international organizations and multilateral forums, especially in the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. Likewise, Vietnam has given full support to Brazil’s candidacy to be a member of the UN Security Council and Brazil supported Vietnam’s non-permanent membership in this body for the period 2020-2021.

Trade between the two is noteworthy, Vietnam is Brazil’s main trading partner in Latin America and Brazil is the largest trading partner in Southeast Asia, occupying fifth position.

Although trade between both countries was insignificant until 2001 and despite challenges such as the global situation or the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been constantly increasing; In 2022, the total value of bilateral trade reached a record of 6.78 billion dollars (with 4.55 billion dollars in Brazilian products exported to Vietnam and 2.23 billion dollars in products imported from Vietnam to Brazil ), which represents considerable growth and stands out on a commercial level.

Cultural and educational exchanges are constantly promoted between both countries; ranging from artistic performances, cinema and culinary exhibitions, attracting a large audience.

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Brazil has sent teachers to teach Portuguese to Vietnam and the Vietnamese people show admiration for Brazilian football, celebrating their teams’ victories.

In terms of tourism, both Brazil and Vietnam have beautiful landscapes and unique traditional cultures, which make them attractive tourist destinations; In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of Brazilian tourists visiting Vietnam and Vietnamese tourists traveling to Brazil to enjoy the same.

During recent exchanges, leaders at various levels have agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, taking advantage of the Joint Committee and the Political Consultation mechanism, expanding the dialogue and connection between the ministries, sectors, companies and regions of both countries, as well as between friendship organizations; continue the implementation of signed cooperation agreements and coordinate efforts to promote negotiations in areas such as trade, investment, education, technology, defense, agriculture, with a view to signing appropriate agreements at appropriate times; Facilitate and encourage the exchange and access of people and business communities from both nations to the respective markets, establishing direct commercial relations; Maintain close collaboration and mutual support in international organizations and multilateral forums in which both countries are members, particularly in the United Nations.

Brazil has committed to continue prioritizing the development of its relations with Vietnam, great potential and strategic location in Southeast Asia, recognizing the importance both in the region and globally and Vietnam has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening friendship and partnership integral with Brazil; Hoping in the not distant future they will be a bridge to connect Brazil with ASEAN and at the same time expand cooperation in the frameworks of Vietnam-MERCOSUR, Brazil-ASEAN and ASEAN-MERCOSUR.

President Lula da Silva, in the month of September at the invitation of the Vietnamese Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh, will carry out an official visit to his country within the framework of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations; hoping to achieve substantial progress, thus opening a new and promising chapter in the relationship between both countries.

The political trust, the tangible results of the collaboration for more than three decades and the potential of both parties mean that the comprehensive partnership between the two will surely strengthen and evolve in the not too distant future.

Two-way trade still has great development potential especially in the context of relations between Vietnam and MERCOSUR member countries, waiting for possible free trade agreements between MERCOSUR and Vietnam to emerge; given that there are ample opportunities for cooperation in areas such as agriculture, food security, global energy security, renewable energy, science and technology, climate change, digital transformation and collaboration within the South-South framework.