Mobilizing Associations and Businesses to Join the Vietnam–Brazil Friendship and Cooperation Association

A Bridge for People-to-People Diplomacy

On the afternoon of March 13, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment and President of the Vietnam–Brazil Friendship and Cooperation Association, Nguyen Hoang Hiep, chaired a meeting of the Association’s Executive Committee to implement its 2026 work plan.

External information and communications stood out as a highlight of the Association’s activities in 2025. Members effectively utilized media channels and digital platforms to promote important events in Vietnam–Brazil relations, including high-level visits and people-to-people diplomacy activities. The Association also contributed comments to the draft Action Plan for implementing the Vietnam–Brazil Strategic Partnership.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep emphasized that the Association should continue to strengthen its role as a proactive, creative, and multidimensional channel for people-to-people diplomacy.

Over the past year, the Association’s leadership also participated in several important external affairs activities. In August 2025, its leaders attended a reception for the Brazilian–Vietnamese Parliamentary Friendship Group delegation led by Mr. Marcio Honaiser, Chair of the group, during their visit to Vietnam.

In early September 2025, the Association’s President met and worked with Mr. Pedro Da Oliveira, Secretary-General of the Brazil–Vietnam Friendship Association, during his visit to Vietnam to attend activities commemorating the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day.

In October 2025, the Association’s leadership visited and worked with representatives of the Brazil–Vietnam Chamber of Commerce at the Autumn Fair 2025. During the meeting, the Brazilian side expressed a desire to cooperate more closely with the Association to connect businesses from both countries, particularly in agriculture, livestock production, and agricultural trade.

In the context of increasingly expanding Vietnam–Brazil relations, the Deputy Minister stated:

"The Association needs to innovate its content and operational approaches, strengthen information exchange, and share cooperation opportunities, especially with the business communities of both countries."

Delegates also noted that connecting Brazilian commodity associations with domestic agricultural associations is a necessary step to promote the exchange of market information, technical standards, and import demands. In reality, the greatest barriers to accessing international markets today often lie in phytosanitary regulations, traceability requirements, and import standards.

Four Directions to Strengthen the Association’s Role

According to the Association’s assessment, Brazil is entering a phase of economic adjustment aimed at consolidating macroeconomic stability, promoting green transition, and restructuring its industry. Vietnam–Brazil relations are expected to continue developing positively, particularly in the pillars of trade, high-tech agriculture, and renewable energy. The two countries may also expand cooperation in multilateral mechanisms and within the framework of South–South cooperation.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep highlighted four key areas of activity as the basis for assigning specific tasks to members of the Executive Committee.

First, in the economic, trade, and business sector, the focus will be on connecting and mobilizing businesses and entrepreneurs from both countries to promote economic diplomacy activities. The Association plans to coordinate the organization of a Vietnam–Brazil Trade and Economic Forum at the end of 2026, with the aim of establishing it as an annual forum to strengthen exchanges on market information, investment opportunities, and cooperation among the two countries’ business communities.

Second, in communications, culture, and social affairs, the Association will continue to leverage its strengths by providing more information about Brazil’s market, culture, and people, while promoting the role of institutions offering Portuguese language studies in fostering exchanges and mutual understanding.

The Vietnam–Brazil Friendship and Cooperation Association also expects to facilitate more substantive cooperation between localities of the two countries.

Third, in external relations, the Association will focus on connecting localities of both countries that have practical cooperation needs, while enhancing coordination and support from the two embassies in bilateral cooperation activities.

Fourth, regarding organizational development, the Association will expand membership through specialized clubs, strengthen linkages with associations and business communities, and clearly assign responsibilities to each member. The Executive Committee plans to hold at least one annual meeting each year to review and guide activities.

The Deputy Minister further emphasized that improving the quality of membership should go hand in hand with a clear evaluation and recognition mechanism for new members, thereby strengthening commitment and responsibility in the Association’s activities.