BRICS is an international organization currently comprising 11 countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
Since becoming a BRICS partner country in June 2025, Vietnam has sent a prime minister-led delegation to every BRICS summit. PM Hung’s participation this year shows Vietnam’s strong support for BRICS and India’s role as BRICS chair.
BRICS: A new potential market for Vietnam
BRICS is playing a bigger role in the global economy and politics. Its members and partner countries have large populations and strong resources, technology, capital, and markets. These could create new opportunities for Vietnam’s development. Vietnamese Ambassador to India Trinh Minh Manh said that the potential for cooperation is huge. The 11 BRICS members make up nearly half of the world’s population, about 40% of global GDP, and a quarter of global trade, he added.
With partner countries included, BRICS has an even wider reach. Its members and partners have strong markets, science, technology, energy, and natural resources. These are important resources that Vietnam can use for development, Manh said.
(Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in India)
Professor Sonu Trivedi of the University of Delhi and Founding Director of the Centre for Vietnam Studies said, "With Vietnam being part of BRICS, we see that it opens up opportunities for product diversification, market diversification, and access to completely new markets."
Another important aspect is digital payment, which most BRICS member states are making use of, Sonu said. “Along with Vietnam, they can come together and pay, and the unified payment platform would provide an opportunity for businesses to come together and integrate their economies.”
The theme of the 2026 BRICS Summit - “Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainable Development” - aligns closely with Vietnam’s key priorities. At the summit, Vietnam hopes to contribute practical ideas while strengthening ties with BRICS economies and promoting technology, innovation and digital transformation.
New impetus for Vietnam-India ties
With India chairing BRICS in 2026 and Vietnam-India ties upgraded to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2026, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung’s visit is expected to give new momentum to bilateral ties. Ambassador Manh said that it will help strengthen economic cooperation as the two countries aim for 25 billion USD in bilateral trade by 2030.
“We need to facilitate market access for goods from both countries and promote two-way investment," he said. “There is also potential for new growth in technology, innovation, digital transformation, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, and energy — areas that are important to Vietnam and where India has strong capabilities.”
During India’s BRICS chairmanship in 2026, Vietnam has joined the BRICS Expo, Symphony Concert, and Cycling and Running events. These activities have helped promote Vietnam’s people and culture, strengthen people-to-people ties, and build support for long-term cooperation among BRICS members and partners.
