Vietnam has formally become a “partner country” of BRICS, a major milestone in its integration into the influential group of emerging nations. It was announced on Friday by the country holding the current rotating BRICS presidency.
Welcoming Vietnam’s admission, Brazil emphasized Hanoi’s growing role in the global south, citing its population of nearly 100 million and “dynamic economy” as major assets. The Brazilian government highlighted Vietnam’s alignment with BRICS goals of promoting a more inclusive and representative international order.
“Vietnam stands out as a significant player in Asia,” the statement read. “Its efforts in advancing South-South cooperation and sustainable development reinforce its shared vision with BRICS.”
Vietnam is made the tenth country to be given partner status in BRICS, along with Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. The partner status, established at the 2024 BRICS summit held in Kazan, gives countries an opportunity to interact with the group without membership.
As a partner, Vietnam may engage in certain BRICS projects and meetings on approval by full members. The status also enables closer interaction with BRICS institutions, such as the New Development Bank, to finance infrastructure development in developing countries.
Although Vietnam has not yet issued a formal statement, the action comes on the heels of heightened diplomatic engagement. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh represented Vietnam at the expanded BRICS+ summit in Kazan in 2024, and Vietnamese representatives have participated in crucial conversations, such as a June 2024 get-together in Nizhny Novgorod on cooperation with emerging economies.
Vietnam’s foreign policy has increasingly focused on reform of global governance and more equitable access to development finance objectives that are very much in line with the BRICS agenda.
Not a full member but a “partner and potential aspirant” for the New Development Bank, Vietnam would need unanimous agreement from current BRICS countries to be admitted as a full member.
