1. At the invitation of Mr. Luong Cuong, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr. Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, King of Brunei Darussalam paid a state visit to Vietnam from November 30 to December 2, 2025.
2. During the visit, the King attended the official welcoming ceremony, held talks with President Luong Cuong, met with General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam and held meetings with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.
3. The leaders of the two countries acknowledged the socio-economic developments in both countries and expressed their delight at the substantive and positive developments in bilateral relations since upgrading the relationship to Comprehensive Partnership in 2019. The leaders of the two countries emphasized the importance of the Action Program to implement the Vietnam - Brunei Darussalam Comprehensive Partnership for the 2023-2027 period, and agreed to closely coordinate to comprehensively and effectively implement the Action Program.
4. The leaders of the two countries affirmed their commitment to further strengthen cooperation in all fields, including politics, defense - security, trade - investment, energy, education, culture - society, people-to-people exchanges, and other areas of mutual interest, as well as cooperation in multilateral frameworks.
Political cooperation
5. The leaders of the two countries acknowledged the importance of maintaining delegation exchanges and high-level contacts through all channels of State, Government, National Assembly, people and localities to strengthen political trust and mutual understanding.
The leaders of the two countries agreed to organize activities to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam in 2027.
The two sides acknowledged the effectiveness of the Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) mechanism co-chaired by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, as well as existing specialized dialogue and cooperation mechanisms.
National defense and security cooperation
6. The leaders of the two countries acknowledged the positive cooperation results between the two countries' Ministries of National Defense and the Military in the following areas: Implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation in 2005 and the Memorandum of Understanding on Navy Cooperation in 2013;
Establish and effectively maintain cooperation mechanisms between the defense forces of the two countries, including the Joint Working Group on defense cooperation;
Improve professional capacity for officers and soldiers of the two countries through training and joint courses; promote cooperation in the fields of security, maritime safety, defense industry, cyber security, counter-terrorism, intelligence exchange; seek cooperation between the Vietnam Coast Guard and Brunei's maritime law enforcement agencies.
7. The leaders of the two countries pledged to continue to closely coordinate and support each other at multilateral defense forums, especially within the framework of ASEAN such as the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Conference (ADMM) and ASEAN Expansion (ADMM+), the ASEAN Defense Forces Command (ACDFM) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
8. The leaders of the two countries also agreed to promote maritime cooperation between the parties, through dialogue and sharing of experiences and information, as well as resolving maritime security challenges in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to ensure security and safety at sea.
9. The leaders of the two countries reaffirmed the importance of cooperation in the field of security through sharing information and experience in preventing organized transnational crimes such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, illegal migration, terrorism, cybercrime and money laundering.
The two sides expressed their satisfaction with regional cooperation within the framework of the ASEAN Ministers' Meeting on Anti-Crime Prevention and Control (AMMTC), the ASEAN Police Command (ASEANPOL) Conference and the ASEAN Intelligence Community Conference (AICC).
The leaders of the two countries welcomed new progress in security cooperation within the framework of bilateral and ASEAN, including negotiations on agreements on preventing and combating transnational crimes, extradition, and transfer of prisoners.
The leaders of the two countries also welcomed the organization of the Opening Ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi and agreed to adjust internal procedures to ratify the Convention, contributing to the early entry into force of the Convention.
Economic cooperation
10. Trade: The leaders of the two countries are satisfied with the completion of the bilateral trade turnover target of 500 million USD in 2025 ahead of schedule, and agreed to closely coordinate to double the two-way trade turnover by 2035 on the basis of diversifying import and export products and moving towards balancing trade.
11. The leaders of the two countries agreed to promote trade and encourage businesses and business associations of the two countries to promote exchanges, including enhancing linkages and cooperation in agricultural, forestry and fishery products.
The leaders of the two countries also agreed to seek measures to facilitate bilateral trade, including improving customs procedures and taking advantage of FTAs to which both sides are members.
The two sides expressed their openness to continue discussing rice trade cooperation, especially creating opportunities for importers to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in food security.
The leaders of the two countries also encouraged the business communities of the two countries to promote trade and goods transportation activities through BIMP-EAGA and the Mekong sub-region.
12. Investment: Vietnam reaffirms its commitment to facilitating investment from Brunei Darussalam through the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA), other Brunei organizations and investors in international financial center development projects.
Brunei Darussalam welcomes and expands support for Vietnamese investors to expand business activities in Brunei Darussalam, especially in areas associated with the goals and priorities of the National Development Vision to 2023 (Wawasan 2035).
13. Digital economy: The leaders of the two countries agreed to promote cooperation in new areas such as digital economy, green transformation, and circular economy through successful sharing of practices, enhancing capacity, encouraging cooperation between relevant agencies, organizations and enterprises, and establishing research cooperation mechanisms between institutes and universities.
14. Halal cooperation: The leaders of the two countries recognize great potential for cooperation in the Halal industry, including promoting cooperation between Halal certification bodies of the two countries, towards mutual recognition of Halal certification.
Vietnam encourages Brunei businesses to invest in building Halal industrial parks and developing Halal food and product production projects in Vietnam.
Brunei Darussalam encourages Vietnamese enterprises and localities to cooperate with Brunei partners in the production and processing of foods that meet Halal standards for the domestic markets of the two countries and for export to third countries.
The leaders of the two countries agreed that the two sides will share experiences on Halal-related issues, including good practices and processes in Halal food production; and support the improvement of the capacity of experts in this field through training programs and experience transfer.
15. Agriculture and Fisheries: The leaders of the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, fisheries and food security by encouraging businesses, universities and research facilities to promote exchanges and research in the fields of agriculture, fishery and food security.
Brunei Darussalam is committed to creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to expand investment in the fields of agriculture, aquaculture and food security by enhancing cooperation with enterprises and partners on a mutually beneficial basis, aiming to ensure the recovery of the regional food supply chain.
Brunei Darussalam encourages investment from Vietnam in the seafood industry through joint ventures with registered local enterprises to promote a competitive, transparent and sustainable seafood industry.
16. The leaders of the two countries agreed to increase information exchanges and cooperation to address the issue of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Brunei Darussalam acknowledged and highly appreciated Vietnam's efforts in strengthening fisheries management and sustainable activities, and expected positive developments in Vietnam in the process of cooperation with the European Commission.
Energy cooperation
17. The leaders of the two countries welcomed the energy companies of the two sides to cooperate on the basis of trade in the oil and gas sector, in accordance with international law and the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.
The leaders of the two countries welcomed enterprises of both sides, especially the Vietnam National Group of Industry and Energy (PVN) and Brunei Energy Services and Trading Company (BEST) to increase participation and promote trade and gas cooperation, in medium- and downstream projects; encouraged the potential for cooperation in many different areas of the oil and gas industry and welcomed relevant agencies to continue to conduct exchanges.
Brunei Darussalam encourages more participation of Vietnamese enterprises, including potential trade and investment opportunities.
18. Brunei Darussalam highly appreciated the positive contributions of Petroleum Drilling and Mining Services Corporation (PV Drilling) in providing drilling services for Brunei's petroleum industry, especially in the upstream sector.
The two sides encouraged PV Drilling and its partners in Brunei Darussalam to continue expanding cooperation in the provision of drilling and wells, and affirmed the support of both sides in facilitating processes when necessary.
19. The leaders of the two countries agreed to further strengthen cooperation to expand to the field of energy transition, through exchanges of experts, training and capacity building, enhancing business and investment cooperation, as well as mutually considering services and opportunities between the two countries.
People-to-people exchange
20. The leaders of the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation between educational institutions through student and teacher exchanges, joint research and training programs, cultural and internship activities.
The leaders of the two countries also welcomed the Vietnamese language courses at Brunei Darussalam University (UBD) aimed at promoting mutual understanding and stronger human-to-people relations.
21. The leaders of the two countries also agreed to promote the linkage through sports and cultural activities, regional and international tourism events and promotional activities.
The leaders of the two countries agreed on the potential to enhance aviation connectivity, contributing to the common goal of promoting substantive cooperation and deepening people-to-people exchanges.
22. The leaders of the two countries agreed to promote cooperation through the parliamentary channel and continue to closely coordinate at multilateral inter-parliamentary forums, especially on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
The two sides consider establishing the Vietnam - Brunei Darussalam Friendship Association and the Brunei Darussalam - Vietnam Friendship Association when eligible.
Regional and international issues
23. The leaders of the two countries emphasized the importance of maintaining multilateralism and international order based on law on the principles stipulated in the United Nations Charter and on the basis of international law to maintain peace, security and prosperity, as well as sustainable development.
On this issue, the leaders of the two countries expressed their satisfaction with the good cooperation and close consultation between the two countries at regional and international forums, especially within ASEAN and the mechanisms led by ASEAN, the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Brunei Darussalam expressed his steadfast support for Vietnam in its role as APEC Chair 2027.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to continue to coordinate to support efforts to strengthen and reform global institutions, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), to promote common interests and address global, regional and sub-regional challenges of mutual concern.
24. The leaders of the two countries agreed to promote cooperation to achieve beneficial results from participating in free trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the ASEAN Commodity Trade Agreement (ATIGA).
25. The leaders of the two countries emphasized the importance of strengthening ASEAN's central and unified role, committed to strengthening coordination to promote the process of building the ASEAN Community, effectively implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and strategic plans, expanding and deepening ASEAN and ASEAN cooperation with partners, especially in areas of common concern such as trade, investment, digital transformation, innovation, science and technology, climate change response, connectivity, food security, water resources and energy.
26. The leaders of the two countries emphasized the important and complementary role of sub-regional development in the process of regional integration and building the ASEAN Community, especially in the field of enhancing economic integration and narrowing development gaps.
The leaders of the two countries pledged to promote sustainable, inclusive and equitable development in the ASEAN Community through linking sub-regional growth with ASEAN's common development and strengthening ASEAN- subrregional cooperation frameworks.
27. The leaders of the two countries emphasized the importance of complying with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which sets a legal framework in which all activities in the ocean and at sea must be carried out.
The two sides reaffirmed the maintenance of peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea and recognized the benefits of having the East Sea as a peaceful, stable and prosperous sea area.
The leaders of the two countries emphasized the importance of self-resistance and de numberization, and contained actions that could complicate the situation and escalate tensions in the East Sea.
The two sides pledged to support the peaceful settlement of disputes, including full respect for diplomatic and legal processes, no threat or use of force, in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS 1982.
28. The leaders of the two countries emphasized the importance of all countries involved in promoting a peaceful, peaceful and favorable environment, with the aim of building trust and enhancing mutual trust in the region.
Regarding this, the leaders of the two countries reaffirmed the importance of fully and effectively implementing the 2002 Declaration on the Southern Nations' Conduct (DOC), and hoped to soon achieve an effective Code of Conduct on the Southern Nations' Sea (COC), substantially in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS 1982.
29. Within the framework of the visit, the two sides signed the following documents:
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Kingdom of Brunei Darussalam on Maritime Cooperation
- MOU between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism of the Kingdom of Brunei Darussalam on Cooperation in Using a Hotline to exchange information on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
- MOU between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism of the Kingdom of Brunei Darussalam on Cooperation in the field of fisheries.
30. The leaders of the two countries expressed their satisfaction with the open and frank exchanges in the spirit of friendship and mutual understanding and wished to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The King thanked the warm and thoughtful reception that the Vietnamese leaders and people gave to the Brunei Darussalam delegation during the visit and respectfully invited the Vietnamese leaders to visit Brunei Darussalam at an appropriate time.
