BRICS opens door for Vietnam–South America connectivity
Regarding regional matters, particularly the East Sea issue, Ramírez noted that Vietnam and China now have additional platforms to address disputes peacefully via dialogue within the framework of multilateral organisations.
Buenos Aires (VNA)🔥 – Becoming a partner of BRICS will help Vietnam diversify its relations, strengthen its political and diplomatic position, thereby expand its influence on distant regions such as South America, where the two sides have great potential for economic cooperation, said Marcelo Ramírez, an Argentine expert in international relations.
Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s correspondent in Buenos Aires, Ramírez, who is a collaborator of Sputnik news agency, and BRICS and Telesur television channels, said this is a favourable time for Vietnam to balance its international ties. He emphasised the need for Vietnam to expand its network of partners and diversify its markets, pointing out that Argentina could serve as a bridge connecting countries in South America and Southeast Asia.
Regarding regional matters, particularly the East Sea issue, Ramírez noted that Vietnam and China now have additional platforms to address disputes peacefully via dialogue within the framework of multilateral organisations.
Marcelo Ramírez, an Argentine expert in international relations. (Photo: VNA)
According to the expert, the rise of emerging economies such as Vietnam is inevitable. Once a poor nation, Vietnam has now joined the group of middle-income countries with sustained high growth.
Ramírez said countries that had suffered disadvantages in the past, especially those in the Global South, are asserting a stronger voice in international forums. In this context, the emergence of new political, financial, and trade institutions like BRICS plays a key role in offering alternatives to the traditional Western models.
On global trade trends, the Argentine expert observed a shift from unrestrained free trade to selective protectionism, as countries aim to safeguard strategic sectors of their economies. He said BRICS needs to adapt to this reality by establishing new trade rules that better align with the interests of developing nations.
Ramírez also emphasised that the inclusion of Vietnam and Indonesia - two major members of ASEAN - as BRICS partners or members will play a role in promoting the integration process, stabilising standards and regulations between the two regions, thereby ensuring that the convergence takes place smoothly and in the most beneficial way.
Cooperation between Southeast Asia and South America is highly complementary. South America possesses abundant natural resources, food, water, and energy, while Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam, has significant industrial production and technological capabilities. Their closer connectivity will unlock great potential for mutually beneficial growth.
South American countries should reduce reliance on traditional markets such as the US and Europe, which are facing growing challenges like energy crisis, and instead expand ties with dynamic emerging partners in Southeast Asia, Ramírez said./.
Vietnam’s becoming a BRICS "partner country" is warmly welcomed, and Brazil expects it to play an active and proactive role in advancing goals related to trade, investment, energy transition, sustainable environmental and social development, enhancing connectivity, and promoting equitable access to innovation.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse will lead a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam to attend the expanded BRICS summit and engage in bilateral activities in Brazil from July 4 – 8.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
