President Luong Cuong welcomed Brazilian President Lula da Silva with a state-level ceremonial reception in Hanoi on Friday morning.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will make an official state visit to Vietnam from March 27-29, invited by President Cuong. This marks his second journey to Vietnam since his initial trip in 2008.
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The Vietnamese President Luong Cuong (L) and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva inspected the honor guard at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on March 28, 2025. The photograph was taken by VnExpress/Giang Huy. |
The Brazilian leader consistently holds profound sentiments and great admiration for Vietnam. At one point, he even participated in street demonstrations supporting the nation’s fight for independence. His upcoming trip marks the inaugural state visit to Vietnam by an international president in 2025, highlighting both the Vietnamese government’s regard for President Lula da Silva and their strong appreciation of the expanding ties between their countries.
Brazilian President’s visit signifies an important step in enhancing bilateral relations, aligning with Vietnam’s diplomatic strategy as outlined in the nation’s foreign policy. This event also aids in implementing resolutions from the 13th National Party Congress and advancing plans for developing connections with Latin American states during the years 2022 through 2026. Additionally, this initiative seeks to promote Vietnam’s global obligations and establish concrete cooperative structures, underscoring the country’s commitment to bolstering alliances with crucial Latin American partners, notably Brazil.
This event highlights the ongoing progress in the relationship between the two nations and reinforces their dedication to fully utilizing their Strategic Partnership. It aims at enhancing practical collaboration across various sectors including politics-security, economics-trade-investment, science-technology-innovation, culture-society, and addressing climate change to unprecedented levels.
Moreover, the visit offers a unique chance for the leaders of both nations to define the core principles of their Strategic Partnership. It allows them to turn political pledges into practical and outcome-focused cooperation programs designed to yield reciprocal advantages. This moment marks a turning point for Vietnam as it strengthens ties with South America’s biggest economy and leading nation.
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President Luong Cuong of Vietnam (right) and his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, prior to their discussion in Hanoi on March 28, 2025. The photograph was taken by VnExpress/Giang Huy. |
In terms of economic and trade collaboration, Brazil stands as Vietnam’s biggest trading partner within Latin America, whereas Vietnam plays a crucial role in the region for Brazil. Bilateral trade has seen substantial expansion recently, jumping from $1.53 billion in 2011 to $7.98 billion last year. There are aspirations to hit $10 billion by 2025 and aim even higher at $15 billion by 2030.
Each country holds significant potential for enhanced cooperation covering areas such as agriculture, energy, science and technology, security and defense, environmental conservation, and responses to climate change. Vietnam has shown enthusiasm about starting talks towards a free trade agreement with MERCOSUR, where Brazil is part of this alliance.
Aside from economic and trade pacts, the visit unveils lucrative opportunities for partnership in areas such as tourism, aviation, maritime ports, and logistics—sectors brimming with unexplored potential for growth in both countries. Fostering collaboration in these fields might act as a driving force for enhancing mutual development and strengthening bilateral relations.
Leveraging more than three decades of robust diplomatic ties, President Lula da Silva’s official trip to Vietnam signifies an important move toward raising Vietnam-Brazil relations to unprecedented levels. This visit bolsters mutual political confidence and dedication, paving the way for expanded collaboration opportunities and nurturing richer, all-encompassing, and enduring relationships that promise concrete advantages for citizens from both nations.
After the welcoming ceremony, both leaders headed into discussions accompanied by their respective high-ranking delegations. During these meetings, they assessed previous cooperative efforts and outlined potential paths forward. The event will conclude with them observing the signature of crucial partnership accords and holding a joint press conference.
