Vietnam - Brazil Relations: Close and Substantive from the People's Foundation

The Congress of the Vietnam - Brazil Friendship and Cooperation Association was held right after Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Brazil and attendance at the BRICS Summit from July 4-8. This is an important event, following milestones in the relationship between the two countries: Vietnam - Brazil signed an agreement to upgrade to a Strategic Partnership (November 2024); Brazil recognized Vietnam as a market economy and President Lula da Silva's second visit to Vietnam (March 2025).

A series of high-level diplomatic activities and numerous cooperation agreements signed in various fields—agriculture, high technology, sports, culture, climate change response, etc.—have vividly demonstrated the new stage of development in the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Brazil is currently Vietnam's largest trading partner in Latin America, with bilateral trade exceeding US$8 billion in 2024, aiming for US$10 billion this year and US$15 billion by 2030. The two countries are promoting cooperation in many areas of common strength and needs, such as agriculture, energy, science and technology, culture, environmental protection, and climate change response. These are important pillars for the Action Plan to implement the Strategic Partnership for the period 2025-2030, and also provide an opportunity for the two countries to exchange major directions to boost trade and investment and effectively implement strategies for diversifying markets, products, and supply chains in the context of a volatile global economy .

Although Vietnam and Brazil are separated by half the globe, their people share many similar values ​​such as sincerity, hospitality, friendship, and openness. In Brazil, there is a generation of people who grew up in the movement of solidarity with and support for Vietnam, with President Lula da Silva being a symbol. Both countries share aspirations for peace , national development, prosperity, and the happiness of their people.

Since establishing diplomatic relations on May 8, 1989, Vietnam-Brazil relations have made significant progress. While political relations began to develop in the early 2000s, this was followed by a series of high-level visits, along with remarkable growth in economic cooperation: trade turnover, which was once tens of millions of USD, has now approached $10 billion. This achievement is the result of political, economic, and people-to-people diplomacy.

Launch ceremony of the Portuguese-Vietnamese thematic dictionary, compiled by the Vietnam-Brazil Friendship and Cooperation Association, September 6, 2023. (Photo: Thu Ha)

In the 15 years since its establishment (2010), the Vietnam-Brazil Friendship and Cooperation Association has organized numerous Vietnamese business delegations to Brazil to connect with local partners; coordinated the reception of Brazilian delegations visiting Vietnam; strengthened relations with the Brazil-Vietnam Friendship Association, the Brazil Peace and Solidarity Center, and the Brazil-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group. The Association has also actively organized seminars and promoted information about Brazil and its people; written many articles introducing the bilateral relationship; and, notably, compiled and published the Portuguese-Vietnamese Thematic Dictionary (2024) – a substantial contribution to linguistic and cultural exchange.

Based on practical experience and over 20 years of monitoring Vietnam-Brazil relations, I would like to propose some recommendations to better enhance the role of the Association in the future:

Firstly, the Association needs to strengthen its efforts in disseminating information and promoting the country, its people, and the potential for cooperation between the two countries, especially in the fields of economics, trade, culture, sports, and science and technology. This needs to be done concretely and in an easily accessible way to overcome the barriers of geographical distance and language, given that Portuguese is the primary language spoken in Brazil, including in mass media.

Secondly, the organization needs to be strengthened and its operational efficiency improved, especially that of the Association's Secretariat, business clubs, and clubs for those who have worked or studied in Brazil. The Association should also strengthen connections with Brazilian partners and friends, the Vietnamese Association in Brazil, and the Brazilian community in Vietnam.

Thirdly, strengthen coordination with Vietnamese agencies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and businesses of both countries; maintain close relations with the Vietnamese Embassy in Brazil and the Brazilian Embassy in Vietnam.

Fourth, proactively seek funding sources to ensure the sustainable and flexible operation of the Association.

Fifth, actively promote the learning of Portuguese in Vietnam and Vietnamese in Brazil – an important foundation for expanding cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges.

Launch ceremony of the Club of Vietnamese people who have worked/studied in Brazil in 2019. (Photo: Vietnam-Brazil Friendship and Cooperation Association)

From the image of Brazil as the land of football, the Amazon rainforest, coffee, and samba, the Vietnamese people are gaining a deeper understanding of a vast, hospitable country with an economy among the top 10 in the world. Brazilians, in turn, have always held a special fondness for Vietnam – a resilient nation in its struggle for independence and sustainable development. This forms a solid foundation for the development of increasingly substantive and close people-to-people relations between the two countries.

Speaking at the Vietnam-Brazil Economic Forum (March 29, 2025), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that the relationship between the two countries is characterized by five key similarities and complementary points. These are: shared ideals and mutual trust; closely related cultural identities, especially patriotism, respect for friendship, loyalty, and people-oriented development; complementary and mutually reinforcing economies, where the strengths of one country meet the needs of the other; warm and sincere feelings; a shared aspiration to combat poverty, build a strong, prosperous, and civilized nation; and a desire for peace, cooperation, development, and strong progress, bringing happiness and well-being to the people.

During his visit to Vietnam, President Lula da Silva also expressed his admiration for President Ho Chi Minh – a national liberation hero and a world cultural figure. He affirmed that he came to Vietnam not only as a head of state but also as a close friend.

This represents a new impetus and a foundation for Vietnam-Brazil relations to enter a breakthrough phase of development. The Vietnam-Brazil Friendship and Cooperation Association will continue to be an important component in this process, contributing to deepening the friendship and cooperation between the people of the two countries, aiming for sustainable, substantive, and comprehensive development.

On July 15th in Hanoi, the Vietnam-Brazil Friendship and Cooperation Association will hold its 3rd National Congress for the 2025-2030 term. The Congress will summarize the work of the 2016-2025 term, set directions for the 2025-2030 term, and elect the Association's leadership.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/quan-he-viet-nam-brazil-gan-bo-thuc-chat-tu-nen-tang-nhan-dan-214723.html