Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with the Vietnamese community in Brazil

On the evening of November 16 local time, right after arriving in Rio de Janeiro, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife met with officials, staff of the Embassy and the Vietnamese community in the Federative Republic of Brazil.

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Bui Van Nghi, the Vietnamese community in Brazil is not large, with about 300 people, but they always promote the tradition of solidarity, hard work, study, comply with local laws, preserve national identity and always look towards their homeland and country.

At the meeting, representatives of the Vietnamese community in Brazil expressed their gratitude for the Party and State's attention to the lives of the Vietnamese people, and affirmed that they will continue to strive to contribute, turn to their homeland and foster the relationship between the two countries; believe in the strong development and bright future of the country, and are ready to contribute to promoting the Vietnam-Brazil relationship, and join the country in entering the era of national development.

Touched by the sincere and warm feelings of the people, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh conveyed to the people the best regards and congratulations of General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

Regarding the domestic situation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that after a long period of resistance, overcoming the consequences of war and difficulties caused by the embargo, Vietnam has formed a path to socialism, with three main pillars: socialist democracy, socialist rule of law state, socialist-oriented market economy; and throughout that process, it has not sacrificed fairness, social progress, social security, and the environment in exchange for mere economic growth.

Highlighting six key tasks regarding foreign policy, economic development, the 4-no defense policy, cultural development, social security policy, and Party building; while promoting three strategic breakthroughs in legal institutions, infrastructure, and human resource training, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that after nearly 40 years of renovation, from a country under siege and embargo, from a poor, backward, and war-torn country, Vietnam's GDP has increased from about 4 billion USD to about 470 billion USD this year, with per capita income reaching about 4,600 USD; from a country where the majority of the people in the country were poor, now there are only about 1% of people poor according to multidimensional standards.

Vietnam is among the world's 34 largest economies and the top 20 economies in terms of trade, with 17 free trade agreements signed. Vietnam currently has relations with 193 countries around the world.

In the context of the world economy facing many difficulties and instability, with growth in many economies and global investment declining, Vietnam's economic growth and investment have still recovered positively, with GDP growth in recent years nearly double the world average and higher than inflation.

GDP in 2024 is estimated to increase by about 7%; attracting foreign investment of about 35-40 billion USD. In addition, budget deficit, public debt, government debt, and foreign debt are well controlled; social security and people's lives continue to improve; the political and social situation is stable; national defense and security are consolidated and enhanced; foreign affairs and international integration are promoted, achieving many important results.

Stating the goal of striving for Vietnam to be a developing country with modern industry and high average income by 2030 and a developed country with high income by 2045, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that in the coming decades, Vietnam must achieve double-digit growth each year, with a vision and breakthrough development.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Vietnam is focusing on large, symbolic projects that “turn the situation around and change the state” such as the North-South high-speed railway, research and development of nuclear power, and exploitation of new development spaces such as outer space, sea space, underground space, etc.; while emphasizing innovation to break through, creativity to reach far, and integration to move forward.

Recalling the event when President Ho Chi Minh set foot in Brazil on his way to find a way to save the country, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that although Vietnam and Brazil are far apart, the people of the two countries have many similar characteristics such as sincerity, hospitality, friendship and openness; the two countries established a comprehensive partnership; agreed to upgrade the relationship to a strategic partnership.

The two sides regularly exchange delegations, especially high-level delegations; and support each other at multilateral forums. Brazil is currently Vietnam's leading trade partner in Latin America, second only to the United States.

In the first 10 months of 2024, two-way trade reached 6.58 billion USD. The two countries strive to increase bilateral trade to 10 billion USD in 2025 and 15 billion USD in 2030. In addition, defense, education and training, and labor cooperation between the two countries have made good progress.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hopes that people will promote the spirit of solidarity, self-reliance and career building; preserve national cultural identity; strictly abide by the law and integrate into local life; always look towards the homeland; each person is an ambassador, a bridge, and fosters the Vietnam-Brazil relationship.

According to the Prime Minister, the overseas Vietnamese community has about 6 million people, is an inseparable part of the Vietnamese ethnic community, plays an important role and makes important contributions to the country's development and relations between Vietnam and other countries,

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested the Embassy’s staff to take care of connecting and developing a strong community; support and resolve requests, ensure the legitimate rights and interests of the people; especially help and create favorable conditions for the people, especially in difficult times, when the lights are out, with responsibility and with national love and compatriotism.

Along with doing well in community work and treating people as his own relatives, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested the Embassy and Vietnamese representative agencies in Brazil to make efforts to promote the implementation of high-level agreements so that the Vietnam-Brazil relationship will become increasingly deeper and more sustainable.