This sixth visit to Vietnam by the Sultan marks a new and important milestone in the traditional friendship and close cooperation between the two countries.
    |
 |
|
President Luong Cuong meets Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in 2025. (Photo: VNA) |
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, Vietnam - Brunei ties have consistently developed in a positive direction, both bilaterally and multilaterally. In 2019, during the Sultan’s State visit to Vietnam, the two sides elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership, underscoring their commitment to further strengthening their valuable cooperation and creating fresh momentum for multifaceted collaboration for the benefit of both nations. The two countries celebrated the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022, and in 2023 signed the Action Program for the Implementation of the Comprehensive Partnership for the 2023–2027 period.
In recent years, Vietnam and Brunei have maintained effective delegation exchanges at all levels, along with various bilateral cooperation mechanisms. Economic cooperation has flourished, with two-way trade exceeding USD 671 million in 2024, an increase of 165% compared to 2023. Brunei currently ranks 28th among countries investing in Vietnam, with nearly USD 1 billion in registered capital.
Defense cooperation between Vietnam and Brunei has been strengthened in both the bilateral and ASEAN frameworks. The two sides continue to effectively implement areas of cooperation under the Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Defense Cooperation. Maritime cooperation is one of the key pillars in advancing the substance of the Vietnam - Brunei Comprehensive Partnership. Accordingly, the two nations have promoted collaboration on maritime and ocean-related matters, including the effective operation of a hotline to support fishing activities, joint venture initiatives in marine exploitation, expanded cooperation in aquaculture and seafood processing, and efforts to address maritime security challenges. They have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on agricultural and fisheries cooperation and conducted a pilot wet-rice cultivation project in Brunei to help enhance food security.
Alongside strong cooperation in the oil and gas sector, the two countries also maintain collaboration in education and training, primarily through multilateral frameworks and bilateral exchanges between educational institutions. Notably, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and FPT University have cooperated in English-language training. In 2022, UBD established the Department of Vietnamese Language and Vietnam Studies to offer Vietnamese-language instruction for Bruneian students.
On the multilateral front, Vietnam and Brunei cooperate closely and effectively at regional and international forums and organizations, especially ASEAN and the United Nations. The two sides support each other on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Building on these achievements in bilateral relations, the State visit of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah reflects the high regard and warm friendship shared between the two nations. Vietnam and Brunei possess significant potential, opportunities, and room to further deepen cooperation. Therefore, we are confident that the Sultan’s State visit to Vietnam will be a great success, contributing to the consolidation and further enhancement of political trust and elevating bilateral relations to a new height, more substantive and more effective.
By Editorial Board of the People’s Army Newspaper
Translated by Tran Hoai