On June 13, 2025, Vietnam marked a significant milestone in its foreign policy by officially joining the BRICS bloc as a partner country, as announced by Brazil, the group’s rotating presidency for 2025. This move positions Vietnam as the tenth nation to attain partner status, alongside Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. With its dynamic economy and strategic geopolitical stance, Vietnam’s inclusion in BRICS underscores its growing influence in Asia and its commitment to fostering a more inclusive global order.
The BRICS coalition, originally formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010, has evolved into a platform for emerging economies to coordinate economic and diplomatic policies. The bloc expanded further in 2024, welcoming Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates as full members, while Indonesia joined in January 2025. The introduction of the “partner country” category at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024, allows nations like Vietnam to engage in summits and discussions without full membership, paving the way for deeper integration into BRICS initiatives.
Vietnam’s admission as a partner country reflects its strategic alignment with BRICS’ goals of promoting South-South cooperation, sustainable development, and a more representative international order. Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted Vietnam’s population of nearly 100 million and its economy, deeply integrated into global value chains, as key factors in its selection. “Vietnam stands out as a significant player in Asia,” the statement noted, emphasizing Hanoi’s shared vision with BRICS members for global governance reform.
Vietnam’s journey toward BRICS partnership gained momentum in 2024. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s historic attendance at the BRICS+ Summit in Kazan marked the first time a Vietnamese leader participated in the group’s main meeting. During the summit, Chinh held bilateral discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leaders, signaling Vietnam’s interest in closer ties with the bloc. A Vietnamese official told Reuters before the summit that Hanoi was keen on joining BRICS, though the timing and scope of its application remained under consideration.
Russia played a pivotal role in facilitating Vietnam’s inclusion. In January 2025, following Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s visit to Hanoi, a joint statement affirmed Moscow’s readiness to support Vietnam’s participation as a partner country. This diplomatic backing, combined with Vietnam’s proactive engagement in BRICS events throughout 2024, culminated in its formal admission in June 2025.
Vietnam’s decision to join BRICS as a partner country aligns with its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, and diversification of international relations. However, analysts note that Hanoi has approached BRICS cautiously, balancing its growing economic ties with the United States and the European Union, its two largest export markets against the benefits of aligning with a bloc often perceived as a counterweight to Western influence.
Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, observed that Vietnam remains reticent about full BRICS membership due to potential concerns from Washington, particularly under the Trump administration. “Hanoi is still cautious of what the Trump administration will think about BRICS and the potential consequences of becoming a full member in the worst-case scenario,” Giang told the Associated Press. As a partner country, Vietnam can engage with BRICS without committing to full membership, allowing it to maintain equidistance in its relations with global powers.
Vietnam’s BRICS partnership opens new avenues for economic and diplomatic cooperation. As a partner country, Vietnam can participate in BRICS summits, access funding from the BRICS development bank, and collaborate on trade and investment initiatives. The bloc’s emphasis on reducing dependence on the U.S. dollar and fostering alternative financial systems could provide Vietnam with opportunities to diversify its economic partnerships.
With a GDP growing steadily and a population approaching 100 million, Vietnam is a rising middle-class economy. Its integration into global value chains, particularly in electronics, textiles, and manufacturing, makes it an attractive partner for BRICS nations seeking to expand their influence in Southeast Asia. Moreover, Vietnam’s advocacy for multilateralism and international solidarity aligns with BRICS’ agenda of addressing global challenges through inclusive governance.
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Vietnam’s BRICS partnership strengthens Southeast Asia’s representation within the bloc, following Indonesia’s full membership and the partner status of Malaysia and Thailand. Analysts suggest that these moves reflect a broader trend among ASEAN nations to diversify their foreign relations amid geopolitical uncertainties, including the U.S.-China rivalry and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
However, Vietnam’s BRICS engagement is unlikely to strain its ties with ASEAN or Western partners. Independent political risk analyst Halmie Azrie told CNA that Southeast Asian countries’ BRICS partnerships are driven by a desire to enhance trade opportunities and maintain balanced foreign policies. Vietnam’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Pham Thu Hang, emphasized that Hanoi’s BRICS partnership reaffirms its commitment to being a “reliable partner and responsible member of the international community.”
Vietnam’s official entry into BRICS as a partner country on June 13, 2025, marks a new chapter in its global engagement. By joining the bloc, Vietnam reinforces its role as a key player in Asia and a champion of developing nations’ interests. As BRICS continues to expand, more than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, Vietnam’s partnership could serve as a stepping stone toward deeper integration, should Hanoi choose to pursue full membership in the future.
For now, Vietnam’s strategic hesitation reflects its pragmatic approach to navigating a complex global landscape. By leveraging its BRICS partnership, Vietnam can amplify its voice in multilateral forums, strengthen economic ties with emerging economies, and contribute to a more equitable world order—all while preserving its delicate balance with Western partners.
