​Vietnam and Brazil have pledged to strengthen their comprehensive cooperation, aiming to boost bilateral trade to US$15 billion by 2030, during the state visit to the Southeast Asian country by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from March 27 to 29.​

Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam welcomed President Lula da Silva in Hanoi on Friday, emphasizing that Vietnam views Brazil as a key partner in its Latin American foreign policy and expressed a desire to deepen the recently established strategic partnership between the two nations. 

Lam noted the substantial potential for collaboration in sectors such as economy, trade, agriculture, energy, and defense.

The Party leader also appreciated Brazil's recognition of Vietnam's market economy status and proposed expediting negotiations for a preferential trade framework linking Vietnam and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), of which Brazil is a member.​

President Lula da Silva expressed his pleasure at returning to Vietnam and affirmed that Vietnam is a close friend and an important partner for Brazil in Asia. He committed to working with Vietnam to implement the new relationship framework and the high-level agreements signed during this visit. 

He emphasized the need for both countries to continue discussions to identify specific, mutually beneficial areas of cooperation that align with each nation's needs, aiming to expand bilateral trade to $10 billion by 2025 and achieve the $15 billion target by 2030.​

Vietnam to open its market to Brazilian beef

On the same day, President Lula da Silva met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, expressing his delight in meeting the Vietnamese government leader again during his second visit to Vietnam after 17 years. 

He reaffirmed that Brazil values its strategic partnership with Vietnam and views Vietnam as a gateway to enhancing relations with the Asia-Pacific region. 

Both leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in science and technology, particularly in foundational industries such as manufacturing, supporting industries, agricultural processing, new materials, chemicals, and renewable energy.​

PM Chinh announced that Vietnam is prepared to open its market to Brazilian beef as part of a comprehensive agricultural market access package to be agreed upon by both countries, including Vietnam's pangasius and shrimp products. 

He welcomed major Brazilian enterprises considering investments in Vietnam and pledged to direct Vietnamese ministries and agencies to facilitate trade and investment activities for Brazilian businesses, particularly in the aviation and minerals sectors. 

President Lula da Silva agreed to instruct Brazilian authorities to positively consider Vietnam's proposals and to initiate negotiations for a trade agreement between Vietnam and MERCOSUR. Both leaders also concurred on promoting exchanges among ministries, localities, and businesses from both countries during and immediately after the Brazilian President's visit to concretize high-level bilateral agreements. 

Recognizing the potential for cooperation in football, they agreed to encourage collaboration and training in youth football at both club and national team levels, thereby strengthening the friendship between the two nations. 

Additionally, President Lula da Silva invited Vietnam to send a high-level delegation to attend the BRICS Summit and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil in November this year.​

Vietnam strongly supports cooperation mechanism

The Brazilian leader and Vietnam’s National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man also had a meeting on Friday, where Man supported the approval and implementation of cooperation agreements between the two nations, especially in areas with significant potential such as defense, agriculture, finance, information and communication, education, health, aviation, semiconductors, and digital transformation.

President Lula da Silva expressed his desire for the parliaments of both countries to continue enhancing cooperation on issues of mutual concern, such as climate change response and poverty reduction. He also shared views on global issues, emphasizing support for international cooperation and multilateralism, and advocating for peaceful negotiations to end international conflicts. 

On this occasion, chairman Man extended an invitation to Brazilian legislative leaders to pay an official visit to Vietnam in the near future.​