Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and a high-level Vietnamese delegation have concluded a successful working trip to Brazil, where they attended the BRICS+ Summit and conducted bilateral activities.
This marked the third consecutive year the PM has travelled to Brazil to promote Vietnam’s international engagement. Over three intensive days in Rio de Janeiro, the delegation participated in nearly 40 engagements.
Vietnam’s presence at BRICS Summit
Held under the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” the 2025 BRICS Summit brought together 35 heads of state, and representatives of partner countries, international organisations, and financial institutions.
Vietnam, as a partner country, made a strong impression with PM Chinh delivering speeches at two of the summit’s three high-level sessions.
At the session on “Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic–Financial Issues, and Artificial Intelligence,” PM Chinh proposed three strategic initiatives to promote multilateral cooperation in those areas. At another session on “Environment, COP30, and Global Health,” he put forward five strategic principles, emphasising fairness, justice, resource mobilisation, technological innovation, and effective governance – two issues that are critical to humanity now and in the future.
Brazil’s Deputy Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Inacio Arruda, praised Vietnam’s growing global stature and noted that its presence made BRICS stronger in Asia.
Foreign Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang said that PM Chinh has conveyed a strong message about strengthening multilateral cooperation as well as affirming the role of developing countries in the global governance system.
Leaders of countries and international organisations highly appreciated Vietnam's proposals as well as highlighted Vietnam's proactiveness and responsibility in contributing to solidarity, strengthening cooperation and dialogue to address challenges of the international community.
On this occasion, PM Chinh held bilateral meetings with nearly 20 world leaders and heads of organisations, including the Presidents of Cuba, Indonesia, South Africa, Nigeria, Chile, and Uruguay; the Prime Ministers of China, Malaysia, and India; and the heads of the UN, WTO, and WHO. He reiterated Vietnam’s readiness to be a trusted friend and reliable partner, offering practical ideas to deepen cooperation in various areas.
Vietnam-Brazil ties
Alongside the summit, PM Chinh conducted bilateral activities in Brazil to enhance multifaceted ties, especially in trade and investment.
He met with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to review the implementation of their Joint Statement and Strategic Partnership Action Plan for 2025–2030. President Lula noted that although no relationship is ever perfect, both sides are committed to making theirs “as perfect as possible.”
Brazil’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply Luis Renato Alcantara Rua hailed the key partnership and the fresh outcomes.
Notably, the two sides will sign an agreement to ensure stable, long-term food security for Brazil; boost cooperation in the coffee sector by forming an alliance, establishing a trading platform, developing branding, and elevating coffee appreciation culture.
They also consented to accelerate talks for the Vietnam–MERCOSUR Free Trade Agreement (FTA), as well as the Vietnam–Brazil FTA and another on investment promotion and protection.
During his visit, PM Chinh laid flowers at a memorial honouring President Ho Chi Minh in Rio de Janeiro and visited the Vasco da Gama Football Club.
With a focus on businesses as key drivers of economic ties, PM Chinh attended the Vietnam–Brazil Business Forum and met with nine leading Brazilian and global corporations to promote cooperation in high-tech agriculture, mining, biofuels, food processing, and aviation, among other fields.
He called on enterprises to translate the strong political foundation into tangible economic outcomes, saying: “Let our friendship and sincerity be measured in real, practical results that benefit both countries.” He reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to creating favourable conditions for Brazilian investors to do business successfully and sustainably.
Fabio Maia de Oliveira, Investment Director at JBS Group - the world’s leading food processing corporation - said Vietnam is a top choice for investment thanks to its dynamic economy, young workforce, and strong infrastructure. JBS sees Vietnam as a future manufacturing and distribution hub for Asia, including access to major markets like China.
One highlight was the signing of six cooperation agreements in science-technology, digital transformation, sports (particularly football), agricultural production, and the import-export of beef and Vietnamese fish (such as pangasius and tilapia). Notably, PM Chinh witnessed the first shipment of Brazilian beef to Vietnam.
Brazil’s Deputy Minister Alcantara Rua called the visit “historic”. For the first time, Brazil has exported beef to Vietnam, and Vietnam has exported tilapia fillets to Brazil. These reflect a trusted and mutually beneficial agricultural partnership.
PM Chinh’s trip to Brazil has been widely recognised as a significant success. It helped deliver on key goals of Vietnam’s international integration strategy, as outlined in the Politburo’s Resolution 59-NQ/TW. It also showcased Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification, and comprehensive, intensive, extensive and effective international integration.
The visit brought concrete benefits not just in diplomatic and economic terms, but also in reinforcing mutual understanding, expanding Vietnam’s global footprint, and building new bridges between continents - firmly positioning Vietnam as a proactive contributor to peace, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region and beyond./.
