Vietnam, Brunei Deepen People-to-People Ties in 2024

Cultural exchange and people-to-people exchanges are identified as priority areas of cooperation in the overall Vietnam-Brunei Darussalam Comprehensive Partnership.

Fanasy Nguyen Le

January 11, 2025 | 12:07

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Following the results of the past time, cultural exchanges and people-to-people exchanges in 2024 continued to gain positive results, making practical contributions to the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

Priorities in bilateral cooperation

Vietnam, Brunei Deepens People-to-People Ties in 2024

Cultural exchange and people-to-people exchanges are identified as priority areas of cooperation in the overall Vietnam-Brunei Darussalam Comprehensive Partnership (Photo: baoquocte.vn).

Along with the country's deep and comprehensive integration process, cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and partner countries are constantly expanding and deepening, including cooperation activities with Brunei Darussalam, a Southeast Asian country with close cooperative relations with Vietnam within the framework of ASEAN as well as many opportunities regional and multilateral institutions.

Within the framework of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Brunei (February 2023), the two countries approved the Action Program for the implementation of the Vietnam-Brunei Comprehensive Partnership for the period of 2023 - 2027, which identifies important and priority areas of cooperation, including cultural exchanges and people-to-people exchanges. During the visit, the Prime Minister directly participated in cultural exchange and exchange activities, especially visiting the National University of Brunei (UBD) and interacting with Brunei students studying Vietnamese at UBD.

The support of the leaders of the two countries and the established cooperation frameworks set the foundation for cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges in 2024 to be promoted. It achieved an impressive number of promotional and cultural exchange activities organized by the Embassy of Vietnam to Brunei ad the Vietnamese, as well as the support and participation of Brunei Senior Leaders.

For example, Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah visited the Embassy's exhibition booth at the ASEAN Textile and Apparel Exhibition to be held in August 2024 and listened to an introduction to Vietnam's traditional Ao Dai costume and five-body dress.

Positive responses to promotion activities of Vietnamese culinary culture in Brunei are from both Vietnamese and Brunei people. Many Brunei partners and friends expressed their impression with the delicious and healthy taste of Vietnamese cuisine, especially pho, spring rolls and so on.

More and more Bruneians are interested in Vietnam, learning to communicate in Vietnamese to travel and experience Vietnamese culture like cuisine and shopping. The Embassy introduced some Vietnamese specialties to Brunei leaders through promotional activities.

Cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges continue to be a highlight in the framework of bilateral high-level delegation exchange activities. During the official visit to Brunei by Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Khac Dinh (August 2024), the National Assembly delegation attended the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Promotion Space at Brunei National Airport, which is a cooperation project between the Embassy of Vietnam in Brunei and Royal Brunei Airlines to strengthen the promotion of Vietnamese culture and tourism to the people of Brunei and international friends.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Khac Dinh and the National Assembly delegation also visited UBD and exchanged with more than 60 Brunei students who are studying Vietnamese at the school, many students are very excited to learn and explore the Vietnamese language and culture, looking forward to visiting the country in the coming time.

Bridging cultural exchange and people-to-people ties

Cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges continue to be a highlight in the framework of bilateral high-level delegation exchange activities (Photo: baoquocte.vn).

The Vietnamese community in Brunei plays an important role in bridging cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchange activities. There are nearly 300 Vietnamese in Brunei with a fairly diverse composition, including international students, lecturers, engineers, workers, entrepreneurs and a small number of Vietnamese-Brunei multicultural families. The number is modest but over time, the Vietnamese community actively coordinates with the Embassy of Vietnam to Brunei in cultural exchange and people-to-people exchange activities.

In 2024, new Vietnamese cultural and culinary products successfully approached the Brunei market, including handicraft products, rattan and bamboo knitting, agricultural products, fabrics and textiles... with good quality and reasonable prices.

For example, Sai Ngon coffee products, which are a joint venture brand between Brunei enterprises and partners in Vietnam, were introduced in the Brunei market in 2024. This brand was quickly received by Brunei consumers and distributed at Brunei's leading supermarket chains such as Huaho and Supa Save.

Also, classes on handicrafts, and cooking Vietnamese food... organized by Vietnamese businesses and individuals in the area also actively contribute to promoting Vietnamese cultural products to Brunei people and friends.

Language promotion activities play a very important role in cultural exchange and people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and Brunei. Implemented since 2022, the Vietnamese language teaching program at the National University of Brunei (UBD) welcomed an average of 60-90 students/semester. It becomes an attractive programs for language learners. In the coming time, teaching and exchange activities on Vietnamese language and culture for children of Vietnamese-Brunei multicultural families in the area will be further promoted.

Digital technology application motivates cooperation

The strong development of digital technology and information technology is creating a driving force for many fields of bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and foreign countries. Agencies and partners in Brunei expressed their expectations for the effectiveness of digital technology applications when speaking with the Embassy of Vietnam in Brunei. The host country emphasizes that it will help promote cooperation in the fields of culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges in the coming time.

Salinah Binti Haji Mohd Salleh, Director General of the Tourism Development Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism of Brunei shared the plan to promote digital tourism applications and collaborate with a number of social media influencers from other countries, including Vietnam, to promote Brunei tourism in 2025.

Digital technology application helps Brunei partners gain more understanding about Vietnam, its people, and boosts information sharing between the people of the two countries. In 2024, through the cooperation program to accept interns between the Vietnamese Embassy in Brunei and the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), many students have actively compiled and designed many digital media products, publications and promotional videos about Vietnam for use in Brunei.

For example, DAV students actively implemented the Initiative to build a photo website about Brunei in Vietnamese and English languages to provide information and knowledge about the country, its people and the unique cultural features of Brunei Darussalam.

According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Thin, DAV Deputy Director, the initiative shows the initiative and creativity of DAV students in the application of digital media to contribute to promoting and cultural exchanges between Vietnam and international partners. In DAV, the Faculty of Communication and Foreign Culture will promote cooperation and connection with domestic and foreign partners to improve the efficiency of student training, and at the same time contribute to bridging exchanges and connecting youth and students with other countries.

Dang Le Xuan Mai, the leader of the intern group, expressed her deep impression of the role of cultural exchanges, cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges in friendship and sustainable cooperation owing to bilateral relations, including that of Vietnam and Brunei. The initiative to build a photo website about Brunei is a specific activity of DAV students to promote dynamism, creativity, and application of digital technology to share information and knowledge about the country and culture of Brunei, thereby contributing to enhancing understanding and friendship between the two peoples and its youth and people of the two countries.

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