Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh arrived in Bandar Seri Begawan at 5:25 pm (local time) on February 10, beginning his two-day official visit to Brunei. (Photo: WVR/Nguyen Hong)

A welcome ceremony for Prime Minister Chinh and Spouse was chaired by the Crown Prince of Brunei Al-Muhtadee Billah at Brunei International Airport.

This is the first visit to Brunei by Prime Minister Chinh in his new position, also the first by a Vietnamese Prime Minister to Brunei over the past 15 years.

A welcome ceremony for Prime Minister Chinh and Spouse was chaired by the Crown Prince of Brunei Al-Muhtadee Billah at Brunei International Airport. (Photo: WVR/Nguyen Hong)

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.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reviews a Guard of Honour on February 10, 2023. (Photo: WVR/Nguyen Hong)

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.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at Brunei International Airport. (Photo: WVR/Nguyen Hong)

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, Prime Minister 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.