Vietnam - Brazil Friendship and Cooperation Association: Creative imprints in the period 2016-2025

During the 2016-2025 period, the Vietnam - Brazil Friendship and Cooperation Association (the Association) has promoted its role as a bridge connecting people through many practical initiatives, from completing the Portuguese - Vietnamese Subject Dictionary to promoting business cooperation, promoting culture and supporting State diplomacy. These efforts have contributed to deepening Vietnam - Brazil relations in many aspects.

Portuguese - Vietnamese Thematic Dictionary: Bridge of Language and Culture

A highlight of the Association in the 2016-2025 period is the completion of the Portuguese-Vietnamese Thematic Dictionary, consisting of 20,000 words on 17 practical communication topics. The project was carried out continuously for 12 years, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the participation of a team of translators and language experts.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Lang, Chairman of the Association, the dictionary not only serves academic purposes but also aims to enhance understanding between the people of the two countries in many fields such as history, politics , science - technology, socio-economics, culture and sports.

Mr. Nguyen Van Lang, Chairman of the Vietnam - Brazil Friendship and Cooperation Association, signed a Portuguese - Vietnamese dictionary for students of the Portuguese Department, Hanoi University. (Photo: Thu Ha)

Unlike traditional dictionaries, the Portuguese-Vietnamese Thematic Dictionary is built according to real-life usage situations, divided into topics such as daily communication, education, health, administration, commerce, transportation, cuisine, culture - festivals... The book serves a variety of audiences: businesses, researchers, international students, diplomats, tourists...

The dictionary was introduced in Hanoi in September 2023, right before the Prime Minister's official visit to Brazil. The first 1,500 printed copies were donated to universities, diplomatic agencies, friendship organizations and partners in Brazil. The project also received support from businesses of the two countries and professional contributions from the Brazilian Embassy in Vietnam.

“We hope that the dictionary will support the Brazilian and Portuguese-speaking communities living and working in Vietnam, as well as Vietnamese people learning Portuguese. This is a practical contribution of the Association to enhance people-to-people exchanges,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Lang.

Promote business connections, expand economic cooperation

Promoting the role of people-to-people diplomacy in supporting economic cooperation, the Association has implemented many trade promotion and business connection activities between Vietnam and Brazil. These activities are carried out with close coordination with the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, aiming to create conditions for businesses of the two countries to approach each other.

In 2016, the Association invited the then Brazilian Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Marco Brandao, to visit Ninh Binh province to explore the potential for investment and trade cooperation. In 2017, the Association launched the Vietnam - Brazil Business Club in Dak Lak, serving as a focal point to promote economic exchanges between businesses of the two countries.

Vietnam - Brazil Business Forum organized by the Vietnam - Brazil Friendship and Cooperation Association in coordination with the Vietnam - Brazil Business Club, May 17, 2019. (Photo: KT)

The Association also facilitated in-depth meetings such as the working session with Brazilian airline Embraer (May 2017) and Ambassador Marco Farani's visit to Hoa Lac High-Tech Park (2023). In particular, in 2018, the Association organized a Vietnamese business delegation to visit and work in Brazil, meeting with officials, chambers of commerce and businesses in the capital Brasilia, São Paulo, Paraná and Rio de Janeiro.

In March 2024, the Association introduced businesses to participate in the Brazil - Vietnam Business Forum, and at the same time connected with the Brazil - Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BVCCI), opening up a direction for substantive cooperation in bilateral investment and trade.

Diversifying activities, deepening Vietnam - Brazil friendship and cooperation

Along with economic and cultural exchange activities, the Association focuses on foreign information work and promoting the image of Vietnam in Brazil and Portuguese-speaking countries. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Association coordinated to publish a special issue with contributions from 7 Brazilian friends and partners. The Association's official fanpage is regularly maintained, updating information on friendship events and people-to-people cooperation activities.

The Association also coordinates the organization of cultural exchange programs in Brazil, and supports the reception of high-ranking Brazilian delegations to visit Vietnam, including the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of the Asia-Pacific region.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Mr. Pedro de Olivera, Secretary General of the Brazil - Vietnam Friendship Association, during his official visit to Brazil, September 24, 2023. (Photo: VOV)

Notably, within the framework of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Brazil in 2023, with the coordination of the Association, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Central External Relations Commission, the Prime Minister met with the leaders of the Brazil - Vietnam Friendship Association (ABRAVIET) and Brazilian friends. After this meeting, the Brazilian side established the Brazil - Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BVCCI), opening a new foundation for substantive cooperation.

The Association also advised the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations to reward many Brazilian individuals who have made outstanding contributions to people-to-people relations between the two countries.

During the 2016-2025 period, the Association has always adhered to its set goals and implemented activities in line with the orientations of the Party, the State and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations. The Association has actively socialized resources, proactively innovated the content and methods of operation, thereby creating practical programs suitable for the new context.

Through a series of creative and multi-layered activities, the Association has made an important contribution to enhancing understanding between the people of the two countries, consolidating the foundation of friendship and expanding Vietnam - Brazil cooperation in the coming time.

On July 15 in Hanoi, the Vietnam - Brazil Friendship and Cooperation Association will hold its 3rd National Congress for the 2025-2030 term. The Congress will review the work of the previous term, set out the direction of work for the 2025-2030 term, and negotiate to elect the Association's Executive Board.

According to the draft Political Report of the Executive Committee of the Association, in the 2025-2030 term, the Association determines to promote tourism connections, cultural exchanges, people-to-people exchanges, and increase exchanges between localities and friendship organizations of the two countries to strengthen friendship and understanding between the two peoples.

The Association will promote the role of people-to-people diplomacy to serve Vietnam's socio-economic development by 2030 in the spirit of Directive 15-CT/TW, dated August 10, 2022, contributing to the goal of Vietnam becoming a developing country with modern industry and high average income by 2030.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/hoi-huu-nghi-va-hop-tac-viet-nam-brazil-dau-an-sang-tao-trong-giai-doan-2016-2025-214766.html