Vietnam has joined the BRICS cooperation mechanism as a partner country, boosting its international standing. Its inclusion strengthens BRICS’ economic and industrial capacity while expanding the bloc’s influence in Southeast Asia. The move also ushers in a new phase of strategic economic cooperation between China and Vietnam.
Brazil, as the rotating chair of BRICS, officially announced that Vietnam had joined the BRICS cooperation mechanism as a partner country. This development not only elevates Vietnam’s international standing and enhances its voice in global economic governance, but also enables the country to expand multilateral cooperation with emerging economies through the BRICS platform. As a BRICS partner, Vietnam gains access to new paths for economic growth, including increased investment, broader export markets, and reduced currency risk through local currency settlement.
Vietnam’s accession as a BRICS partner significantly strengthens the mechanism’s overall capacity and representation. With a population of nearly 100 million and deep integration into global value chains, Vietnam adds weight to BRICS in the international economic system. In particular, Vietnam’s growing role as a hub for semiconductor and electronics manufacturing complements China and other BRICS economies, unlocking new layers of industrial cooperation. Its presence also boosts BRICS’ influence in Southeast Asia, enhancing regional bargaining power and contributing to a fairer and more inclusive global governance structure.
In the realm of China–Vietnam economic relations, Vietnam’s inclusion in BRICS opens up new opportunities. As Vietnam’s largest trading partner, China is well-positioned to elevate bilateral cooperation under the BRICS framework. This could accelerate the implementation of the China–ASEAN Free Trade Area version 3.0, improve trade structure, and expand collaboration in infrastructure, energy, and technology. Strategically, Vietnam’s membership in BRICS represents a key step in the group’s expansion and serves as a fresh catalyst for advancing China–Vietnam economic ties.