His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam received in audience Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chính and spouse Lê Thi Bích Trân yesterday morning.
Prior to the audience ceremony, Their Majesties welcomed the prime minister and spouse on arrival at the grounds of Istana Nurul Iman and introduced them to members of the royal family.
Minister of Development as Minister-in-Attendance Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid and spouse were also present.
After the audience ceremony, His Majesty and the prime minister had a bilateral meeting.
Matters discussed included bilateral relations between Brunei and Viet Nam as well as cooperation between both countries such as through the signing of the Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Comprehensive Partnership which will chart the future direction of bilateral relations. The two leaders also discussed the exploration of new opportunities for cooperation.
After the bilateral meeting, the monarch and the prime minister witnessed the signing ceremony of two instruments of understanding between the Government of His Majesty and the Government of Viet Nam.
The first is Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Comprehensive Partnership between Brunei Darussalam and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (2023 – 2027).
Signing on behalf of the Government of His Majesty was Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof while the Government of Viet Nam was represented by Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Son.
The Plan of Action provides a framework for both countries to promote closer bilateral cooperation in mutually beneficial areas ranging from economic, political, defence, security, energy, education, tourism as well as youth and sports.
The second was the exchange of notes for the arrangement on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
Signing on behalf of the Government of His Majesty was Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan while the Government of Viet Nam was represented by the Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The exchange of notes for the arrangement on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports of Brunei Darussalam and Viet Nam provides the extension of the length of stay from 14 days into 30 days.
