A welcome ceremony for PM Chinh and his spouse was chaired by the Crown Prince of Brunei Al-Muhtadee Billah at Brunei International Airport.

This is the first visit to Brunei by Chinh in his new position, also the first by a Vietnamese PM to the Southeast Asian nation over the past 15 years.

The trip takes place in the context of the well-developed Vietnam-Brunei comprehensive partnership. The two countries celebrated the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022, with bilateral contacts at all levels as well as cooperation mechanisms maintained effectively.

The two countries surpassed their goal of 500 million USD for two-way trade set for 2025. In October 2022, their trade stood at 638.5 million USD, up 141.4% year-on-year. As of December last year, Brunei ranked 26th among the 141 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with 157 valid projects worth 971 million USD, mainly in processing, manufacturing, construction and real estate.

Vietnam and Brunei have collaborated in a series of fields, particularly defence, energy, agriculture, education, maritime area, and people-to-people exchange. They have also worked closely together in regional and international matters of common concern, including the East Sea issue; and supported each other at multilateral forums such as the UN, ASEAN, and APEC.

While in Brunei, PM Chinh is scheduled to hold talks with the Sultan; visit the premises of a Bruneian business; receive a number of big local enterprises; and meet with representatives of the Vietnamese community.

PM meets with representatives of Vietnamese community in Brunei

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has said that he will propose Brunei create more favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community living, studying and working in the country, especially in legal assistance.

Meeting with representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy and community in Brunei right after arriving in the country on February 10 afternoon (local time) for a two-day official visit, PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam has never had such fortune, potential, international position and prestige as it does today, adding that the Vietnam-Brunei comprehensive partnership is developing fruitfully.

He expressed his delight that the Vietnamese community in Brunei, though with a modest number of people, are strong and working in various areas from study, teaching to business. The Vietnamese leader urged them to abide by laws in the host country, stay united and serve as a bridge in relations between the two nations.

 PM Pham Minh Chinh meets with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Brunei. (Photo: VNA)
The Vietnamese embassy was also asked to hold activities linking the Vietnamese community together and provide them with more support, particularly in legal procedures.

Representatives of the Vietnamese community wished that more activities would be held to bring Vietnamese together in Brunei and the homeland, popularise Vietnam's culture in Brunei, especially teaching Vietnamese language./.  VNA