Vietnam, Brazil: Building bridges through shared history and new partnerships

Nguyen Lan Huong, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Hanoi, presents a commemorative gift to the Communist Party of Brazil. Photos: Contributing photographer

A delegation is on a business trip to Brazil from October 25 to November 2. Led by Nguyen Lan Huong, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Hanoi, the visit marks 35 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Brazil and 17 years since these relations were upgraded to a comprehensive partnership, and aims to renew these ties, emphasizing the importance of cultural exchanges, investment cooperation, and mutual support between the two nations.

The delegation visited Rio de Janeiro's historic Lapa neighborhood, where President Ho Chi Minh lived among Brazilian dockworkers and laborers in 1912, learning from their solidarity and resilience. In honor of this historical connection, the government of Rio de Janeiro is planning to honor Ho Chi Minh in Lapa Square, one of the city's central public spaces, with a monument dedicated to his time there, and is considering renaming a street "Vietnam". This gesture symbolizes the shared history and enduring solidarity between Vietnam and Brazil, paving the way for stronger cultural and people-to-people ties.

Nguyen Lan Huong also met with leaders of the Communist Party of Brazil (Partido Comunista do Brasil - PCdoB) and Rio de Janeiro officials. During the meetings, she briefed the hosts on Hanoi's recent economic and social progress and the celebration of notable events in 2024, such as the 70th anniversary of Hanoi's liberation and the 25th anniversary of its recognition as a UNESCO "City for Peace". Lan Huong highlighted key areas in which Hanoi is seeking partnerships, namely agriculture, high-tech industries, tourism, healthcare, and education. "Vietnam and Brazil share a commitment to growth and development," she said, noting that Brazil's rich experience in technology and industrial agriculture could be valuable to Vietnam.

The Hanoi delegation takes a commemorative photo with the Communist Party of Brazil.

In addition, Lan Huong emphasized the mutual benefits of sharing knowledge in heritage protection and cultural preservation. As part of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network, Hanoi has experience implementing digital and technological solutions to protect and promote cultural heritage. The PCdoB, for its part, expressed interest in exploring cooperative projects that could bring Hanoi's expertise to promote Brazil's heritage sites and contribute to Brazil's cultural tourism sector. "Our two countries have much to learn from each other in areas such as heritage conservation, and there is a natural synergy in applying these experiences for the benefit of both countries," noted a PCdoB representative.

In terms of cultural and sports exchanges, Nguyen Lan Huong invited Brazilian sports organizations to cooperate with Hanoi in sports training, especially in soccer, tennis, martial arts, and dance - all of which are Brazilian national strengths. "We would be delighted to exchange expertise in sports, an area in which Brazil excels, to provide valuable opportunities for Hanoi's athletes and coaches," Lan Huong said. Brazilian officials expressed enthusiasm for potential exchange programs that would allow Vietnamese athletes and coaches to benefit from Brazil's world-class coaching in these disciplines.

To further strengthen ties with the Vietnamese community, Nguyen Lan Huong met with Nguyen Van Nghia, a long-time Vietnamese expatriate in Rio de Janeiro, and other members of the diaspora. There are currently about 200 Vietnamese living in Brazil, mostly in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. She acknowledged the community's role as a bridge between the two nations, praising their contributions to both Brazilian society and their Vietnamese heritage. 

"Our community here has shown tremendous resilience and commitment to Vietnamese values while embracing life in Brazil," said Lan Huong. She encouraged the community to remain active in promoting Vietnamese culture, especially through language, traditional celebrations, and supporting Vietnamese initiatives. Nghia updated Lan Huong on the expat community's activities, noting their support for Vietnamese national celebrations in Brazil and charity events that help maintain a strong bond with their roots.

In the first eight months of 2024, Hanoi's exports to Brazil were estimated at $111.5 million, and imports at $214.3 million. Both sides are exploring ways to increase these figures, with a focus on agricultural products, biotechnology, and renewable energy, all of which offer mutually beneficial opportunities. 

Lan Huong invited PCdoB leaders and Brazilian officials to visit Hanoi for follow-up meetings that would facilitate cooperation in various sectors. "Our friendship is based on shared values and mutual respect for our history," Huong concluded. "We look forward to building a future in which these ties translate into tangible benefits for both our communities," she added.

Nguyen Lan Huong's discussions with high-ranking Brazilian officials and the Vietnamese community lay a promising foundation for new cooperation, promising a stronger connection between Vietnam and Brazil in the years to come.