Vietnam, Brunei Leaders Pledge to Deepen Comprehensive Partnership
Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Monday reaffirmed Việtnam’s strong commitment to strengthening its Comprehensive Partnership with Brunei, expressing hopes that bilateral relations will continue to grow substantively and contribute to regional peace, stability, and sustainable development.
During a meeting in Hànoi with Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, who is on a state visit to Việtnam, PM Chính said the visit provides an important opportunity to review progress in cooperation and outline new measures to elevate the partnership to a more effective and higher level.
The Prime Minister lauded Brunei’s political stability, robust economic performance, and strong social welfare system under the Sultan’s leadership, reflected in the nation’s high Human Development Index. He voiced confidence that Brunei will successfully achieve the goals of Wawasan 2035, becoming a dynamic and sustainable economy.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah reaffirmed Brunei’s commitment to deepening its Comprehensive Partnership with Việtnam and extended condolences to communities affected by recent floods and landslides in central Việtnam.
Both leaders welcomed the positive outcomes of the 2023–27 Action Programme, noting frequent high-level exchanges, active cooperation mechanisms, and impressive economic growth. Two-way trade reached nearly US$671.4 million in 2024, marking a 165 percent increase from the previous year and surpassing the 2025 target. Cooperation in defence and security, agriculture, fisheries, oil and gas, the Halal industry, tourism, and education has also advanced steadily.
Looking ahead, PM Chính proposed maintaining regular high-level contacts and ensuring effective implementation of the Action Programme. He called for strengthened economic, trade, and investment cooperation in priority sectors, including oil and gas, chemicals, Halal food processing, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
Việt Nam, he said, hopes Brunei will continue supporting Vietnamese firms providing oil and gas services, recognise Halal certificates for exports, and facilitate participation in global supply chains. He added that Việt Nam is ready to assist Brunei in ensuring food security and supplying raw materials for Halal production, while the two sides could also explore potential cooperation in rice trade.
The Prime Minister proposed enhanced maritime cooperation, particularly in fisheries and information-sharing on maritime law enforcement. He reaffirmed Việt Nam’s commitment to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and welcomed Brunei’s support for the country’s efforts toward a sustainable marine economy.
He also encouraged expanding cooperation in culture, sports, and education to strengthen mutual understanding, especially through institutional partnerships, student exchanges, and joint research.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah expressed strong support for the Prime Minister’s proposals, highlighting the importance of cooperation in energy, fisheries, Halal industry development, and people-to-people ties. He noted that the agreements signed during this visit would add fresh momentum to bilateral cooperation.
Both sides agreed to bolster coordination at regional and international forums, including ASEAN and the United Nations, and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining ASEAN’s common stance on key regional issues such as Myanmar and the East Sea, for the sake of peace and stability.
The Sultan invited PM Chính to pay an official visit to Brunei at a suitable time, which the Prime Minister accepted with appreciation.
