Held in a hybrid format, the forum reviewed bilateral trade and investment in the first six months of 2026 while exploring new market opportunities and ways to overcome barriers to closer cooperation.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Bui Van Nghi said two-way trade reached approximately 4.22 billion USD in the first six months of the year, up 16.8% from the same period in 2025, according to Brazilian statistics.
Brazil exported goods worth 2.104 billion USD to Viet Nam, while imports from Viet Nam totalled 2.114 billion USD, reflecting balanced growth in both directions.
The ambassador said the two economies remain highly complementary. Brazil supplies Viet Nam with agricultural commodities, meat, cotton, soybeans, maize, pulp and minerals, while Viet Nam exports electronics, machinery, textiles, footwear, furniture, seafood and processed food.
Despite the positive momentum, participants identified several challenges, including limited direct investment, high logistics costs, the absence of direct shipping routes and the need for closer regulatory cooperation, particularly on quarantine and technical standards.
Ambassador Bui Van Nghi called for permanent mechanisms to facilitate information sharing between governments and businesses, stronger links between Brazilian states and Vietnamese provinces, and expanded cooperation in renewable energy, biofuels, logistics, digital transformation, biotechnology and green industries. He also urged faster progress in negotiations on a trade agreement between Viet Nam and the Mercosur bloc.
Brazilian economist Robson Cardoch Valdez said bilateral trade had nearly tripled between 2016 and 2025 to more than 7.4 billion USD, describing the relationship as evolving from one of untapped potential to a strategic partnership. He highlighted opportunities for collaboration in food security, semiconductors, digital technology, strategic minerals, logistics, and the green economy.
