Since the official establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992 and the upgrade to Comprehensive Partnership in 2019, Viet Nam and Brunei have continuously strengthened cooperation in key sectors, particularly in energy, Halal food processing, tourism, investment, and education. The approval of the Action Programme implementing the Viet Nam–Brunei Comprehensive Partnership for the 2023–2027 period has further advanced cooperation in key sectors between the two countries.
Efforts to maintain engagements and delegation exchanges at all levels have created further development momentum for Viet Nam–Brunei cooperation. In late October 2025, on the sidelines of APEC 2025 in the Republic of Korea, State President Luong Cuong met His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. The two sides committed to strengthening cooperation in multiple fields, especially in prioritised areas including oil and gas, chemicals, Halal food processing, seafood, tourism, and people-to-people exchange.
On Halal food, Viet Nam proposed that both sides continue coordinating closely and sign the cooperation Memorandum of Understanding as soon as possible, and expressed its wish for Brunei to support Vietnamese enterprises in production processes and the certification of agricultural and Halal products, facilitating favourable conditions for Halal products of Viet Nam to be exported to Brunei and to join global Halal supply chains.
Thanks to strong endorsement from high-ranking leaders and efforts by both nations’ governments and citizens, economic and trade cooperation has achieved several positive outcomes. Increasing numbers of Vietnamese businesses have accessed the Brunei market in fields such as energy, chemicals, agriculture, Halal trade, and fisheries. Several Vietnamese enterprises have effectively implemented business contracts with Brunei partners in the fields of oil and gas, drilling, and offshore oilfield services.
In the flow of cooperation, both Viet Nam and Brunei highly regard the potential for cooperation between the two countries, with considerable room that still needs to be more effectively tapped, especially in the sectors of oil and gas, seafood, tourism, and food. This was restated by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, in their meeting on the occasion of the ASEAN Summit 47 in Malaysia in October 2025.
Reiterating the complementary strengths of both economies, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed that Brunei continue creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to cooperate and do business in mutually beneficial sectors, and issue additional permits for Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen to harvest fishery and seafood resources in Brunei’s marine territories, while supporting Viet Nam in Halal certification and Halal food production, leveraging Viet Nam’s advantage of abundant and rich natural ingredients and raw materials.
Reiterating the complementary strengths of both economies, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed that Brunei continue creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to cooperate and do business in mutually beneficial sectors, and issue additional permits for Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen to harvest fishery and seafood resources in Brunei’s marine territories, while supporting Viet Nam in Halal certification and Halal food production, leveraging Viet Nam’s advantage of abundant and rich natural ingredients and raw materials.
With substantial potential, Viet Nam–Brunei cooperation continues to expand, not only in economy and trade, but also in new fields such as defence, education, culture, and people-to-people exchange.
At the 80th anniversary celebration of Viet Nam’s National Founding Day held in Brunei, Ambassador of Viet Nam to Brunei Tran Anh Vu said that the bilateral relationship continues to grow strongly. The Ambassador also highlighted the vibrant cultural and education ties, including language programmes, student exchange initiatives, and dozens of cultural activities that have been held in Brunei in recent years.
The Vietnamese community in Brunei has played an active role in fostering and strengthening the close and connected relationship between Viet Nam and Brunei.
Viet Nam and Brunei stand before new opportunities to further deepen bilateral cooperation. Both countries are working towards long-term development goals, prioritising sustainable and inclusive growth, diversifying partners and markets, and effectively leveraging new drivers of economic expansion. In a period of rapid international change, the positive development of the Viet Nam–Brunei Comprehensive Partnership has contributed actively to the ASEAN Community-building process and to the development and innovation process within each country.
