|
Summary
The Federal
Republic of Brazil and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam established
diplomatic relations on the 8th of May, 1989. The Embassy of Brazil
in Hanoi was opened in 1994. The first Brazilian Ambassador, Italo
Zappa, presented credentials in February 1995. The present
Ambassador presented credentials in May 2002.
Brazil-Vietnam
bilateral relations are perfectly cordial, without any contentions
dividing the two countries. At the multilateral level there is broad
coincidence of visions on political and other matters.
There has been
cooperation in Science and Technology (Medicine, Veterinary,
Agricultural Biotechnology, Rural Technology, Fito-Pharmacology,
etc.), Culture (Teaching of Portuguese language in Hanoi, contacts
between universities), Military (the Minister of Defense of Vietnam
visited Brazil in 2003, the two countries are considering exchange
of military attachés), Inter-Parliamentarian relations
(Brazil-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group), among others. The
two countries signed an Agreement for Cultural Cooperation in
October 2003.
Trade and
economic relations are intensifying. Bilateral trade amounted to US$
16 million, both ways, during the year of the establishment of
diplomatic relations (1989). It reached US$ 52 million in 1994, due
to Brazil’s unhabitual purchase of Vietnamese rice. From then until
2002, trade declined. In 1996 it decreased to US$ 47 million, in
1998 to US$ 37,3 million, in 2000 to US$ 26,2 million. In 2002,
trade began to grow again, having reached US$ 42,9 million. In 2003,
the result was US$ 47,1 million.
As to balance,
in 2002 Brazil exported US$ 27,6 million to Vietnam and Vietnam US$
15,3 million to Brazil. There was a reversion, therefore, for the
first time in favor of Brazil since the establishment of diplomatic
relations. Brazil’s surplus amountd to US$ 12,3 million in that
year. In 2003, Brazil’s exports to Vietnam reached US$ 25,0 million
and Vietnamese exports US$ 22,1 million, with Brazil’s surplus,
therefore, reaching US$ 2,9 million.
The economic
bilateral agenda includes also, among other items, exchange of
information on coffee production and exports, rice, other
agricultural products, hydroelectricity, regional aircraft,
television equipment, ore, handicraft, industrial raw materials,
etc.
Brazil supports
Vietnam’s accession to the WTO and is one of the organization’s
members negotiating bilaterally with Vietnam within the accession
process and the Presidents of Brazil and Vietnam announced in Brasília,
on the occasion of President Tran Duc Luong's visit to Brazil, in
November 2004, the conclusion of bilateral negotiations in the
process of Vietnam's accession.
Chronology
-
8 May 1989.
Establishment of diplomatic relations between the Federative
Republic of Brazil and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam through
exchange of diplomatic notes in Havana, Cuba.
-
October 1993.
Visit to Brazil by Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Le Mai.
-
April 1994.
First Brazilian business mission to Vietnam, headed by the Head
of the Department of Trade Promotion of the Ministry of Foreig
Relations, Celso Marcos Vieira de Souza.
-
June 1994. Visit
by then Vice-Premier Phan Van Khai to Brazil (accompannied by
Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Mai).
-
September 1994.
Opening of the Embassy of Brazil in Hanoi.
-
February 1995.
First Brazilian Ambassador, Mr. Italo Zappa, presents
credentials.
-
9 to 12 October
1995. The President of Vietnam, Le Duc Anh, visits Brazil
officially.
-
10 October 1995,
signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of
foreign Relations on Matters of Common Interest
-
30 January 1997.
The second ambassador of Brazil to Vietnam, Mr. Christiano
Whitaker, presents credencials
-
August 1997.
Brazil’s especial authorization for the opening of a
Consulate-General of Vietnam in São Paulo before the opening of
an Embassy (the Consulate-General was later closed when the
Embassy opened in Brasília, on the 1st of October 2000).
-
February 1998.
Ambassador Tran Quang Hoan, resident in Buenos Aires, presents
credencials in Brasília.
-
26 May 1998.
First meeting under the mechanism created by the Memorandum of
Understanding on Matters of Common Interest. The Vice-Minister
of Foreign Affairs (afterwards Minister) Nguyen Dy Nien, whi
estays in Brazil from the 23 to 27 of May.
-
December 1999.
Opening of Brazil’s Honoray Consulate in Ho Chi Minh, later
disactivated.
-
1st Outober
2000. Opening of Vietnam’s residente Embassy in Brasília.
-
21 May 2002. The
third ambassador of Brazil to Vietnam, Mr. Alcides G. R. Prates,
presents credencials to President Tran Duc Luong.
-
24 June 2002.
The Brazilian Government announces concession of “agrément” to
Ambassador Nguyen Van Huynh, the first ambassor of Vietnam to
Brasil to take rsidence in Brasília.
-
24 September 2002.
Ambassador Nguyen Van Huynh presents credencials in Brasília.
-
20 to 24 October
2003. Brazil’s political and business mission to Vietnam, headed
by congressman Aldo Rebelo, leader in the Chamber of Deputies of
the coalition of parties who support the Government.
Participation at the business fair “Vietnam International
Industrial Fair 2003” (“VIIF 2003”). Brazilian seminar on trade
and investment on the 23rd of October.
-
24 October 2003,
Hanoi. Second meeting within the scope of the Memorandum of
Understanding between the Ministries of Foreign Relations on
Matters of Common Interest.
-
24 October 2003.
Signing, in Hanoi, of the Agreement on Cultural Cooperation,
third formal bilateral instrument signed by the two countries,
following the exchange of notes in 1989 and the Memorandum of
Understanding of 1995.
-
13 to 15
November 2003. Visit by Minister of National Defense of
Vietanam, General Pham Van Tra to Brazil
-
January 2004.
Visit to Brazil by Vice-President of the Cossion of Foreign
Affairs of the National Assembly of Vietnam, Nguyen Ngoc Tran.
-
12
to 18 July, 2004. Visit to Vietnam by Brazilian Army officers
invited by the Ministry of Defense of Vietnam. It was the first
visit of Brazilian military mission to Vietnam.
-
15
to 18 November, 2004, Presidente Tran Duc Luong visits Brazil.
His delegation is formed by Ministers, other senior authorities
from different areas, and businessmen coordinated by Vietnam
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).
-
16
November, 2004. The first "Brazil-Vietna Business
Forum" is held in São Paulo during the President of
Vietnam's visit, on which occasion an "Cooperation
Agreement" is signed between the National Confederation of
Industry of Brazil (CNI) and VCCI.
-
From
26 to 31 January, 2005, a delegation of 19 member from
Vietnam, led by Mr. Tran Dac Loi, Vice-President and Secretary
General of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations,
participates in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil, in the V World Social Forum (V
WSF).
-
In
March 2005, a delegation from the National Assembly of Vietnam,
led by Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hoai Thu, President of the Commission of
Social Affairs, visits Brazil. The delegation of 5 members is
received at the National Congress and by Brazilian authorities
of the HIV/AIDS Program, Ministry of Health, among others.
-
From
15 to 20 of April, 2005, a delegation of the Communist Party of
Viet Nam, led by Politburo member Truong Tan Sang, pays a visit
to Brazil.
-
From
11
to 25 of April, 2005, a delegation of the Ministry of Finance,
led by Mrs. Huynh Thi Nhan, Vice Minister, pays a working visit
to Brazil.
-
In
May 2005, a
Vietnamese mission organized by UNICEF Vietnam visits Brazil to learn from Brazil's experience in protection of
street children.
-
In
May 2005, Brazilian President's Especial Envoy, Ambassador Luiz
Augusto de Araujo Castro visits Vietnam and is received by
Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Nguyen Dy Nien.
-
In
May 2005, the President of Brazil's Trade and Promotion Agency
(APEX) visits Vietnam and had interviews with VCCI's
Vice-President, businessmen and consultants.
-
From
7 to 10 June 2005,
the
Deputy-Inspector-General, Mr. Le Dinh Dau, leads a delegation to
participate in Brasília in the IV Global Forum on Fighting
Corruption, held under the title
"From words to action". Officials from the General
Department of Customs, Minister of Finance, also attend.
-
From
12 to 17 June 2005, the Defence, Naval, Army and Air Force
Attaché of Brazil to Vietnam, Captain Bernardo Augusto Cunha de
Hollanda, resident in Beijing, China, accompanied by Deputy Defence Attaché,
Lieutenant-Colonel of Artillery, Carlos Alberto Mansur, visit
Vietnam for presentation to Vietnamese authorities.
-
In
June 2005,
a
delegation of "Vietnam Bank for Social Policies"
visits Brazil to learn from the experience of
Brazil's "Banco Popular do Brasil", mainly in what
concerns micro-credit.
-
During
the month of July 2005, delegations from the sectors of coffee
production and trade, TV broadcasting and biological sciences
from Vietnam visit Brazil.
-
During
the month of August 2005, a delegation from the rubber
production and trade sector from Vietnam visit Brazil.
-
During
the month of August 2005, a delegation headed by Dr. Bui Manh
Hai, Vice-Minister of Science and Technology, with the
participation of representatives from the ministries of
Education and Training, Finance, and Planning and Investment
visits Brazil.
-
During
the month of September 2005, Vietnamese experts in the fields
of Tropical Direction and Statistics visit Brazil.
-
In
December 2005, a delegation of Vietnam's National Assembly paid
a visit to Brazil in order to be informed about elaboration,
inspection and control process of the Brazilian public budget.
-
In
December 2005, a delegation from the Ministry of Trade, headed by
the Vice-Director of Trade Policy for the Americas, Mr. Nguyen Van
Binh, visited Brazil.
-
In
December 2005, a delegation of National Assembly deputies and
ministerial authorities headed by the Vice-Chairperson of the
Committee on Economy and Budget, Mrs. Duong Thu Huong, visited
Brazil. They were received by Mr. Aldo Rebelo, Speaker of the House,
and other authorities.
-
In
December 2005, a delegation of the Committee on Population, Family
and Children, headed by Dr. Nguyen Thien Truong, attended in Aracaju,
Sergipe, the conference "World Family Summit + 1".
-
In
January 2006, a Deputy Director of Vietnam's National Institute of
Hygiene and Epidemiology attended in Rio do Janeiro "The 1st
General Meeting of the International Association of National Public
Health Institutes".
-
In
January 2006, Vietnam formally communicates to the Brazilian
Government its interest in opening a commercial office in São
Paulo. The permission was granted within a short period and the
office was opened in February.
-
During
February 2006, a delegation led by Prof. Ton Thi Kim Thanh, the
Director of Vietnam's National Institute of Ophthalmology, attended
in São Paulo The World Ophthalmology Congress 2006.
-
In
February 2006, two Vietnamese Army officers started a ten-month
course in Portuguese at the Personnel Studies Centre of the
Brazilian Army.
-
From 5
to 9 March 2006, a delegation led by the Chairman of the National
Assembly, Nguyen Van An, visited Brazil.
-
From 18
to 24 March 2006, a week of Brazilian Cinema took place at the Hanoi
Cinematheque.
-
During the month of March 2006, a Vietnamese delegation of 12
delegates participated in the Conference of the Parties of the
Convention on Biodiversity (COP8) and in the Meeting of the
Parties (MOP3) of the Cartagena Protocol.
-
In
April 2006, a delegation of 9 members from different ministries,
headed by Mr. Phan The Rue, Vice Minister of Trade, visited
Brazil to study the Brazilian experience in different pertinent
areas.
-
In
April 2006, the "agrément" was granted to the new Ambassador of
Vietnam in Brasília, Nguyen Thac Dinh
-
In
July 2006, a delegation from the Ministry of Trade of Vietnam,
with the participation of 13 Vietnamese businessmen, headed by
the Vice-Director of Trade Policy for the Americas, Mr. Nguyen
Van Binh, visited Brazil.
-
In
July 2006, the attaché of Defense, Navy, Army and Air, Navy
Captain Bernardo Hollanda, presented his farewell to the
Vietnamese authorities and introduced his three successors: the
Defense and Air attaché, Colonel Paulo Roberto dos Santos, the
Naval attaché, Captain Luiz Antonio Carvalho, and the Army
attaché, Colonel Carlos Alberto Maas.
-
In
January 2007, in a private visit to Vietnam, Mr. Roberto
Teixeira da Costa, a well-known Brazilian businessman who was
the first president of the Securities and Exchange Commission of
Brazil, author of many articles and books about the Brazilian
securities market, had a meeting in Hanói with the president of
the State Securities Commission, Mr. Vu Bang, and with Hanói's
and Ho Chi Minh's stock markets directors.
-
From
27 to 30 May, 2007, the Secretary-General of the Communist Party
of Vietnam, Mr. Nong Duc Manh, visited Brazil leading an
outstandingly important delegation which included
Vice-Prime-Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung, the Ministers of Industry,
Science and Technology and Culture and Information, Party
leaders and other high authorities. The SG visited Rio de
Janeiro and Brasília. In Brasília, he was received by Presidente
Lula.
-
On the 28th of May, 2007, the
Brazil-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce is inaugurated in Rio de
Janeiro, during the visit by the Secretary-General of the
Communist Party of Vietnam, Nong Duc Manh. The Secretary-General
officially inaugurates the entity at Rio de Janeiro's Trade
Association (“Associação Comercial do Rio de Janeiro”).
-
From 3 to 5 October 2007, the
Vice-Minister of Development, Industry and Trade of Brazil, Ivan
Ramalho, visited Vietnam.
-
Ambassador
Alcides G. R. Prates was granted on 8 November 2007 the insignia
“For the Cause of Education” in Vietnam, by decision previously
signed by the Minister of Education and Training, Nguyen Thien
Nhan.
-
The Brazilian
Under-Secretary-General for Asia, Africa and the Middle East,
Ambassador Roberto Jaguaribe Gomes de Mattos, visited Vietnam
from 22nd to 24th November 2007, on which
occasion he co-chaired the 4th Brazil–Vietnam
Political Consultations Meeting with Standing Vice-Chancellor
Pham Binh Minh and was received by the Vice-Prime-Minister and
Chancellor Pham Gia Khiem.
Agreements
In force
- Agreement by
exchange of diplomatic notes for the establishment of diplomatic
relations, signed in Havana, Cuba, on the 8th of May 1989.
- Memorandum of
Understanding between the Ministries of Foreign Relations on Matters
of Common Interest, signed in Brasília on the 10th of May 1995.
-
Agreement by exchange of diplomatic notes on reciprocal concession
of most-favoured-nation treatment, 16 November 2004, entered into
force from the same day.
-
Agreement by exchange of diplomatic on exemption of visas on
diplomatic passports, 16 November 2004.
- Agreement on
Cultural Cooperation, signed in Hanoi on the 23rd of October 2003,
entered into force from 20.09.05.
- Agreement
on Health and Medical Sciences Cooperation, signed on the 29th
of May 2007, in force on the same date.
|
