Vietnam - Brunei strengthen cooperation in agriculture, fisheries and environment

During the State visit to Vietnam from November 30 to December 2, 2025 of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang received and worked with Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism of Brunei Darussalam Dato DR. Abdul Manaf Metussin. At the meeting, the two sides signed two important memorandums of understanding (MOUs), opening up new directions for cooperation between the two ministries.

Bộ trưởng Bộ Nông nghiệp và Môi trường Trần Đức Thắng đã tiếp và làm việc với Bộ trưởng Tài nguyên cơ bản và Du lịch Brunei Darussalam Dato DR. Abdul Manaf Metussin. Ảnh: Khương Trung. — Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang received and worked with Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism of Brunei Darussalam Dato DR. Abdul Manaf Metussin. Photo: *Khuong Trung.*

Strengthening trust, expanding cooperation

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Tran Duc Thang welcomed Minister Dato DR. Abdul Manaf Metussin and appreciated the role of Brunei in promoting agricultural and fishery cooperation in recent times. He emphasized that the friendship and trust between the two countries, especially within the ASEAN framework, is the foundation for expanding cooperation.

“We always attach importance to cooperation with Brunei. General Secretary To Lam and the Central Committee also highly appreciate the cooperation from ASEAN partners, including Brunei. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is ready to coordinate in all areas,” said Minister Tran Duc Thang.

Bộ trưởng Trần Đức Thắng đánh giá cao vai trò của phía Brunei trong thúc đẩy hợp tác nông nghiệp, thủy sản thời gian qua. Ông nhấn mạnh mối quan hệ hữu nghị và sự tin cậy giữa hai nước, đặc biệt trong khuôn khổ ASEAN, là nền tảng để mở rộng hợp tác. Ảnh: Khương Trung. — Minister Tran Duc Thang highly appreciated Brunei's role in promoting agricultural and fishery cooperation in recent times. He emphasized that the friendship and trust between the two countries, especially within the ASEAN framework, is the foundation for expanding cooperation. Photo: *Khuong Trung.*

Minister Dato DR. Abdul Manaf Metussin expressed his gratitude for the welcome of Minister Tran Duc Thang and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment; and emphasized the significance of two documents signed during the visit: the Memorandum of Understanding on Fisheries Cooperation and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Use of the Hotline for Information Exchange on IUU Fishing.

According to him, the two agreements demonstrate the common commitment of Vietnam and Brunei to enhancing cooperation and conserving marine resources. He acknowledged the cooperative efforts between the fisheries agencies of the two countries, especially in the field of shrimp farming, and wished to expand investment with Vietnam in the coming time.

Bộ trưởng Dato DR. Abdul Manaf Metussin bày tỏ cảm ơn sự đón tiếp của Bộ trưởng Trần Đức Thắng và Bộ Nông nghiệp và Môi trường và mong muốn mở rộng đầu tư cùng Việt Nam trong thời gian tới. Ảnh: Khương Trung. — Minister Dato DR. Abdul Manaf Metussin expressed his gratitude for the welcome of Minister Tran Duc Thang and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and wished to expand investment with Vietnam in the coming time. Photo: *Khuong Trung.*

Minister Dato DR. Abdul Manaf Metussin also reiterated the guiding spirit at the recent meeting between the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Sultan of Brunei, in which the two sides agreed to promote comprehensive cooperation, including in the fisheries sector.

Looking forward to 2026 with high expectations

Also at the meeting, Minister Tran Duc Thang said that the potential for cooperation between the two countries is still very large, not only in aquaculture but also in the fields of food agriculture, scientific research, and development of HALAL products for export to Brunei and from Brunei to other markets.

“The adoption of international agreements, along with the coordination of the two countries' embassies, will help expand cooperation in agriculture, environment and fisheries,” he said, adding that the ministry still hopes to have more in-depth meetings to promote implementation.

Minister Dato DR. Abdul Manaf Metussin emphasized the hope that “the two cooperation documents will not stop at signing but must be implemented into specific projects”. He said Brunei is cooperating with fisheries research institutes to enhance post-planning technology and expects Vietnam to provide more support in the coming period.

Hai Bộ trưởng đã ký kết hai biên bản ghi nhớ (MOU) quan trọng, mở ra những hướng hợp tác mới giữa hai bộ. Ảnh: Khương Trung. — The two Ministers signed two important memorandums of understanding (MOUs), opening up new directions for cooperation between the two ministries. Photo: *Khuong Trung.*

Minister Tran Duc Thang affirmed that ongoing projects will continue to be implemented, and the two sides will study new programs. Vietnam is ready to send experts and connect Bruneian businesses to work directly with relevant units.

The Brunei Minister shared his hope to return to Vietnam in 2026 to witness the first results of the cooperation programs. He said that upon returning home, he would report to Brunei leaders on the results of the meeting and promote the implementation of the agreed contents.

Minister Tran Duc Thang wished Minister Dato DR. Abdul Manaf Metussin and the Sultan of Brunei a successful visit and working visit to Vietnam.

Some photos at the reception and working session between Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang and Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism of Brunei Darussalam Dato DR. Abdul Manaf Metussin.