Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
WVR - On December 1, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, who is on a state visit to Vietnam with a high-level Brunei delegation.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at the meeting. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh warmly welcomed Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and the high-level Brunei delegation to Vietnam. He expressed his pleasure at meeting the Sultan again after their encounter at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, emphasizing the significant importance of this visit in evaluating the comprehensive partnership's progress and elevating bilateral relations to new heights, making them more substantive and effective.
The Prime Minister congratulated Brunei, under the Sultan's reign, for maintaining political stability, achieving positive economic growth, and ensuring social welfare with a very high human development index globally. He expressed confidence that Brunei will successfully implement its national development vision by 2035 (Wawasan 2035), becoming a dynamic and sustainable economy.
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| Overview of the meeting. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the warm reception during his visit to Brunei in 2023. He emphasized that Vietnam always values promoting the comprehensive partnership with Brunei, hoping that bilateral relations will continue to develop to new heights, bringing practical benefits and contributing to peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region.
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah expressed his delight at returning to Vietnam and thanked the Vietnamese government and people for their warm and thoughtful reception. He affirmed that Brunei values and wishes to develop a comprehensive partnership with Vietnam.
The Sultan extended condolences and sympathies to the people of Vietnam affected by floods and landslides in the central provinces.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh with the high-level Vietnamese delegation. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Discussing bilateral relations, the two leaders agreed to highly appreciate the strong development of the Vietnam-Brunei comprehensive partnership through the effective implementation of the 2023-2027 Action Program.
High-level and other exchanges, as well as bilateral cooperation mechanisms, are maintained regularly. Economic cooperation has developed remarkably, with bilateral trade reaching nearly USD 671.4 million in 2024, a 165% increase from the previous year, surpassing the 2025 target. Cooperation in security, defense, agriculture, fisheries, oil and gas, Halal, tourism, and education has been very effective.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
To further enhance bilateral relations, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed that the two countries continue to prioritize several key areas:
Firstly, continue to maintain high-level and other exchanges, effectively utilize bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and continue implementing the Vietnam-Brunei comprehensive partnership action program for 2023-2027 effectively.
Secondly, boost economic, trade, and investment cooperation in priority areas such as oil and gas, chemicals, Halal food processing, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. Vietnam proposed that Brunei continue to support Vietnamese enterprises in providing oil and gas services, recognize Halal certification for export, and participate in the global supply chain. Vietnam is ready to support Brunei in ensuring food security, supplying raw materials for Halal production, and suggested that both sides explore signing a rice trade agreement.
Thirdly, strengthen maritime cooperation, especially in fisheries, and share information on maritime law enforcement. Regarding combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Vietnam always prioritizes and has taken strong measures to combat IUU, hoping Brunei will continue to closely coordinate and support Vietnam in developing a sustainable marine economy.
Fourthly, expand cultural, sports, and educational exchanges to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples, particularly by expanding links between educational institutions and student exchanges, and conducting joint research.
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| Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Haji Hassanal Bolkiah speaks at the meeting. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Agreeing with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's proposals to strengthen relations, the Sultan of Brunei suggested that the two countries further enhance cooperation in energy, fisheries, Halal, and people-to-people exchanges. He is confident that the documents signed during the visit will boost cooperation between the two countries in the future.
Discussing regional and international issues, both sides agreed to closely coordinate at international forums such as ASEAN and the United Nations, especially in maintaining ASEAN's common stance on regional issues like Myanmar and the East Sea, contributing to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
On this occasion, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah cordially invited the Prime Minister to visit Brunei at a convenient time. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his gratitude for the Sultan and the Royal Family's affection for Vietnam and gladly accepted the invitation.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Haji Hassanal Bolkiah visit a photo exhibition showcasing achievements in bilateral relations. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
