Vietnam officially became a BRICS "partner country" on Friday, as announced by Brazil, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the organization for 2025.
“With a population of almost 100 million and a dynamic economy deeply integrated into global value chains, Vietnam stands out as a relevant actor in Asia,” Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement highlighting the bloc's continued expansion.
Vietnam is now the 10th nation to obtain the “partner country” status, following Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan—all of whom received the designation earlier this year.
At the BRICS summit held in Kazan last October, the group agreed to introduce a new tier of engagement through “partner country” status rather than proceeding with another full membership expansion, as was done in 2023. However, Indonesia did join as a full member in January 2024 after receiving an invitation the previous year, becoming BRICS' 10th full member.
Vietnam, with its sizable population and rapidly developing economy, was seen by many analysts as a logical candidate for future integration into the bloc.
Hanoi has long been courted by Western powers eager to strengthen ties in Southeast Asia. The United States, in particular, has viewed Vietnam as a potential regional ally and counterbalance to China’s growing influence. However, Vietnamese leaders have consistently resisted being drawn into bloc-based geopolitical alignments. This position stems in part from the country’s historical experience, including its struggle for independence and its brutal war with the United States during the 1960s and ’70s.
Since its initial expansion in 2023, BRICS has increasingly positioned itself as a counterweight to the Western-led G7 and other institutions dominated by the Global North. With its current members accounting for over 40% of global GDP and nearly half the world’s population, the bloc has emerged as a compelling alternative for countries in the Global South seeking a new economic and political alignment.
As of now, 47 countries have formally applied to join the group, signaling growing interest in BRICS as a global force.