Vietnam Officially Becomes a BRICS Partner Country, Strengthens Role in a Multipolar World

Vietnam has marked a significant milestone in global diplomacy after being officially designated as a partner country of BRICS, the strategic alliance of emerging economies.

With Vietnam’s inclusion, the number of BRICS partner countries has now expanded to ten, including Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and now Vietnam. This partnership status does not require financial contributions like full membership but grants direct access to strategic platforms, including the BRICS Summit, forums on sustainable development, and technology cooperation.

Strategic Role in South–South Cooperation

This move reinforces Vietnam’s commitment to South-South Cooperation, a framework that facilitates collaboration among developing nations to promote sustainable development and support a multipolar economic system. As a country with a population of nearly 100 million and a steadily growing economy, Vietnam is viewed as having the capacity to become a key player within the bloc.

The Vietnamese government continues to uphold an inclusive and balanced foreign policy. Hanoi has long maintained close ties with Western powers such as the United States and the European Union, while also forging strategic partnerships with major Asian countries like China and India. Through its BRICS partnership, Vietnam is now implementing a trilateral diplomatic approach, positioning itself as a bridge between global power blocs.

Economic and Geopolitical Implications

1. Acceleration of Investment and Infrastructure Development
   As a BRICS partner, Vietnam gains access to funding mechanisms from institutions such as the New Development Bank (NDB) to finance infrastructure projects, green energy initiatives, and digital transformation programs actively promoted by the government.
    

2. Strengthening South-South Global Diplomacy
   Vietnam’s participation in BRICS enhances its bargaining power in multilateral forums and supports the creation of a more inclusive and development-oriented global economic order.
    

3. Strategic Balancing Act
   Despite attention on Russia’s support for Vietnam’s inclusion, Hanoi is expected to remain cautious in maintaining ideological neutrality—avoiding entanglement in polarizing geopolitical blocs while preserving strong ties with Western partners.

A Measured Diplomatic Move

Vietnam’s decision to join BRICS as a partner is seen as a strategic move to broaden its diplomatic network and unlock new investment opportunities without becoming entangled in geopolitical conflicts. This status grants Vietnam renewed legitimacy on both regional and global stages, reinforcing its role as a key player in the emerging multipolar world order.