Vietnam-Belgium ties thrive ahead of state visit: Belgian Ambassador
The visit reaffirms Vietnam’s role as a trusted and stable partner amid global uncertainties and underscores the need for close collaboration among Belgium, Vietnam, ASEAN, and the European Union (EU) to strengthen regional ties, he said.
Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Karl Van den Bossche (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam-Belgium ties are growing, driven by dynamic and promising cooperation across multiple sectors, Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Karl Van den Bossche told Vietnam News Agency🌟 ahead of the first-ever state visit to Vietnam by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium from March 31 – April 4.
Ambassador Karl Van den Bossche described the visit as a landmark in over five decades of bilateral ties. King Philippe, visiting Vietnam for the fourth time since 1994, has fostered a deep connection with the country, while Queen Mathilde made a working trip in May 2023 as Honorary President of UNICEF Belgium.
The visit reaffirms Vietnam’s role as a trusted and stable partner amid global uncertainties and underscores the need for close collaboration among Belgium, Vietnam, ASEAN, and the European Union (EU) to strengthen regional ties, he said.
Reflecting on the journey of bilateral ties, he said since establishing diplomatic ties on March 22, 1973, Belgium has been one of the first western countries to sign a development cooperation agreement with Vietnam.
Over time, this partnership has evolved from development cooperation to an equal, mutually beneficial collaboration addressing global challenges, spanning agriculture, culture, education, climate change response, energy development, and green logistics.
Belgian-operated DEEP C industrial and port complex in Hai Phong (Photo: VNA)
The 2018 Strategic Partnership on Agriculture has made agri-food a cornerstone of bilateral ties, while the Belgian-operated DEEP C industrial and port complex in Hai Phong and Quang Ninh exemplifies Belgium’s investment role, catalysing foreign capital inflows. Both nations shared a commitment to green growth, with Belgian firms partnering on hydrogen energy and logistics projects. During the visit, key agreements in this sector are expected to advance Vietnam’s transition to a green and sustainable economy.
Culturally, Belgium showcases its heritage through food festivals, film screenings by the Wallonia-Brussels Delegation, and performances by the Royal Stilt Walkers of Merchtem at the annual Hue Festival. The 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2023 saw the second Belgian Culture and Food Festival in Hai Phong grow into a major event, fostering people-to-people bonds. Now an annual tradition after successful runs in 2022-2024, it strengthens cultural exchange.
On Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin, the ambassador hailed the Belgian Chamber of Representatives’ unanimous resolution on October 5, 2023, saying that it is the world’s only such legislative act supporting Vietnamese victims. He expressed his hope for both countries to explore different approaches to addressing AO’s lingering effects.
In the Francophone community, the Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation, established in Vietnam in 1996, remains its sole Asian office. Over nearly three decades, it has delivered over 800 win-win joint projects.
At the 12th session of the Permanent Joint Committee among the Vietnamese Government, the French-speaking community of Belgium, and the French Community Commission of the Brussels-Capital Region in November 2024 in Brussels, both sides agreed on a cooperation programme for the 2025-2027 period, with a focus on 17 practical and effective projects across mental health and family medicine, environmental protection, logistics, human resource training, sustainable agriculture, French language education, climate change adaptation, research and innovation.
Performances by the Royal Stilt Walkers of Merchtem become a highlight at the annual Hue Festival (Photo: VNA)
During this state visit, the Belgian Queen will visit the Vietnam National Children's Hospital in Hanoi, as part of a mental health cooperation project, a field of her particular interest and priority.
The ambassador also noted Vietnam’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific headquarters of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) and Pierre Du Ville’s leadership of the Group of Francophone Embassies, Delegations, and Institutions (GADIF) in Vietnam, saying that such provides an advantage for Francophone cooperation, not only between the French-speaking Belgian community and Vietnam but also across the entire Asia-Pacific.
Asked about what opportunities will open following the visit, the diplomat said 30 business leaders and some 12 university rectors will accompany the King and Queen. A number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed between Belgian and Vietnamese universities, paving the way for new academic collaboration.
The ambassador will also accompany the King and Queen to the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, where they will tour an exhibit on AO/dioxin consequences and meet with Vietnamese victims affected by it.
On the occasion, Belgium will introduce soil decontamination technology to Agent Orange-affected areas. With its expertise, Belgium can gradually transfer this technology to Vietnamese partners for long-term remediation, he added./.
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh highlighted the vital role of the Vietnamese intellectual diaspora in national development. He proposed a strategy for training financial professionals, including sending them to Luxembourg for study, to contribute to the development of key financial centres in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.
A delegation of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee led by its member and Chairman of the NA Committee for Culture and Education Nguyen Dac Vinh paid a working visit to Belgium from December 4-7, with the aim of consolidating and deepening the bilateral friendship.
The Vietnam Business Association in Belgium (VBAB) was officially set up recently, marking a milestone in the economic relations between Vietnam and Belgium.
Lawmakers are set to vote on revisions and amendments to a broad spectrum of legal frameworks and impactful resolutions during the final week of the 15th NA's 9th session.
The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
