Brian Jeffrey
Over the past 35 years, Vietnam and Brazil have cultivated a robust partnership across political, economic, and cultural domains. Despite being separated by vast geographical distances and differing languages and cultures, both nations have worked proactively to foster cooperation in vital areas, maintaining regular communication through forums like the Joint Commission and Joint Consultation Committee to address shared concerns.
The foundation of Vietnam-Brazil ties lies in their economic and trade collaboration, which has reached $7 billion in bilateral trade, with expectations to grow to about $15 billion by the year 2030.
Brazil stands as Vietnam’s top trade ally in Latin America and ranks prominently among ASEAN trading partners. Both countries are also pursuing new cooperative endeavors that align with global development trends and mutual interests.
Brazil excels in key sectors such as food security and renewable energy, particularly with its prolific ethanol usage, offering vast opportunities for joint projects.
I am pleased to highlight the announcement made by President Lula da Silva and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh regarding the enhancement of our partnership to a Strategic Partnership during the recent G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro on November 18-19.
This upgraded alliance signifies vital progress, showcasing the growing mutual trust and maturity between the nations. It reflects both countries’ rising global roles and emphasizes the necessity for collaboration in areas like economics, politics, multilateral diplomacy, and cultural exchanges.
This advancement in partnership will allow both countries to better appreciate each other’s strengths and enhance cooperation in critical sectors, especially in the realms of innovation and sustainable development.
The G20 Summit serves as a crucial international platform uniting major economies, which represent 85% of the global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population. Brazil held this year’s summit and leveraged the occasion to initiate the “Global Alliance Against Poverty” project, aimed at gathering resources to eliminate poverty globally.
The initiative garnered significant backing from G20 members, including Vietnam, with hopes that it will serve as an effective means of aiding vulnerable groups worldwide, contributing to the development of a more equitable and prosperous society.
Under its G20 presidency, Brazil organized over 100 meetings and unveiled relevant initiatives concerning global governance reform. Vietnam’s active involvement in such initiatives signifies its strengthening position on the global stage and commitment to creating a more just and sustainable world.
The recent 19th G20 Summit has just concluded, and while it is premature to assess the complete outcomes, many world leaders have deemed it a remarkable success.
The Summit produced a comprehensive joint declaration with 84 articles addressing vital global issues. These discussions focused on future artificial intelligence regulations, poverty alleviation strategies, climate change mitigation approaches, energy transition pledges, among other important matters.
Vietnam is highly conscious of existing global challenges and is currently seeking solutions while promoting international collaboration to support its economic and social development initiatives.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received a personal invitation from President Lula da Silva during his visit to Brazil last September, with a reiteration of this invitation from Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira earlier this year in Vietnam. This gesture highlights Brazil’s acknowledgment of Vietnam’s enhanced standing on the international front.
Vietnam has surmounted significant obstacles to become a vibrant developing nation with an increasingly influential global presence. Its strategic position, dynamic diplomacy, stable governance, and prosperous economy provide it with valuable perspectives in addressing worldwide pressing issues.
Brazil and Vietnam are both acutely aware of the socio-economic implications of climate change. No country is exempt from the direct or indirect effects of this global issue. Brazil has long been at the forefront of research into alternative energy solutions.
Since the oil crisis in the 1970s, Brazil has pioneered the development of alternative energy sources and now serves as a global benchmark in energy transition, with about 90% of its energy sourced from renewable channels.
Meanwhile, Vietnam is focused on cultivating a resilient economy. Despite global economic uncertainties, the World Bank predicts a 7.1% growth rate for Vietnam this year.
Moreover, the Vietnamese government prioritizes energy development to bolster economic growth objectives. Both Brazil and Vietnam have excellent opportunities for successful collaborations in energy transition—an essential strategy to combat the adverse effects of climate change. The G20 Summit recently underscored this issue as a top agenda item alongside other crucial global challenges like poverty alleviation and governance reform.
BRICS also provides a vital channel for coordinating economic and diplomatic strategies among its members while helping to mitigate external economic shocks. In October, BRICS leaders extended invitations to Vietnam and three other countries to join the BRICS Summit as partner nations.
Furthermore, both countries are active advocates for multilateralism at the United Nations, demonstrating a commitment to close cooperation, mutual support, and a unified stance in promoting peace and resolving global conflicts through diplomatic measures.
Both nations possess strong potential for economic growth and stable political landscapes, encouraging trade partnerships as their economies continue to expand. To make this a reality, both countries should facilitate increased exchanges of business delegations and take part in trade promotion activities such as fairs, exhibitions, workshops, and virtual summits.
The two administrations have pinpointed several promising sectors for bilateral collaboration including green agriculture, energy transition, ethanol production, semiconductors, and defense technology.
Last year, Brazil’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation led experts to Vietnam to explore collaboration opportunities within the semiconductor sector.
Brazil’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture also visited Vietnam for discussions aimed at enhancing agricultural cooperation.
Additionally, the two nations are working to facilitate market access for each other’s agricultural exports. In the energy domain, with help from the Brazilian government and UNICA, the Brazilian Embassy in Vietnam hosted the “Ethanol Talks” seminar on renewable energy, drawing about 100 businesses.
Collaboration Between Brazil and Vietnam: A Growing Partnership
Brazil and Vietnam are committed to driving innovation and adopting advanced technologies while developing key industries. Brazil’s agricultural sector has seen significant advancements, showcasing the important role of science and technology in innovation. The country is pioneering a “green revolution” in agriculture.
Despite having only 7% of its agricultural land cultivated, Brazil manages to produce food sufficient for 800 million people each year, which is about 10% of the global population. Today, it stands out as a leader in sustainable agricultural practices worldwide.
Furthermore, Brazil leads in global decarbonization efforts. An impressive 93% of Brazilian cars operate on biofuels derived from renewable energy sources, making biofuel a central aspect of Brazil’s National Energy Strategy.
In terms of digital innovation, Brazil has set a benchmark with its “E-Digital – Promoting E-Government” initiative. As per the World Bank, Brazil ranks first in the Americas and second worldwide for digital government services.
There are significant opportunities for collaboration between Brazil and Vietnam, which should be further explored to maximize potential benefits.
The discussion regarding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Mercosur bloc has resumed, and it is frequently addressed in bilateral meetings.
Brazil values regional free trade agreements like Mercosur, as they facilitate international economic integration. However, the complexity of negotiations arises from the need to consider the diverse interests of member countries within multilateral frameworks.
Mercosur’s functioning relies on consultation and consensus among its member states. During recent meetings between Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Lula da Silva, this FTA was discussed and is under review by Brazilian authorities.
New collaboration areas have emerged, with growing interest from businesses in both countries. Ongoing projects are being discussed in sectors such as energy, agriculture, and digital transformation. Notably, major Vietnamese companies like VinFast are working with Brazilian engineers to share expertise in automobile manufacturing.
Since my arrival in Vietnam, I have noticed considerable potential for cooperation between our rapidly advancing nations. Upgrading Vietnam-Brazil relations to a Strategic Partnership seems both logical and necessary.
It is essential to draft a bilateral agenda for the next years. Fortunately, a strong foundation based on mutual trust and shared benefits already exists.
Over the past 35 years, both countries have tirelessly worked to enhance friendship and cooperation for mutual advancement. Building on established relations, I am optimistic about fostering successful collaborations and shared values of peace and ethics in strategic fields.
Cultural Exchange as a Bridge Between Nations
Having worked in various Asian countries before coming to Vietnam in 2023, I gained insightful experiences in places like China and Japan, recognizing the unique features and rich cultures of each nation.
Arriving in Vietnam, I was eager to explore its distinct culture, traditions, and historical richness. What stood out to me was not only Vietnam’s impressive economic progress but also the warmth, friendliness, and dedication of its people to preserve their cultural heritage and family values.
Cultural exchanges are crucial for linking countries and encouraging collaboration in other spheres. Brazil, with its rich multicultural identity, blends indigenous traditions with influences from various cultures.
Vietnamese people have shown a strong affinity for Brazilian culture, especially in music, dance, and food. Conversely, Vietnam’s diverse and rich historical background is showcased in its unique forms of artistic expression, such as music, cinema, painting, and culinary arts. Dishes like pho have gained international acclaim, even capturing hearts in Brazil.
A shared appreciation for nature is a commonality in both cultures. Hence, tourism and cultural exchange can serve as effective ways to deepen understanding and promote economic growth between Vietnam and Brazil.
Pham Vu Thieu Quang
