General Secretary, President To Lam and his spouse embarked on a visit from 19-24/10, accepting invitations from King Frederik X and Queen of Denmark, President of the European Council Antonio Costa, and Prime Minister of Belgium Bart De Wever.

This high-level diplomatic activity aims to convey Vietnam's foreign policy direction in a new development phase. It seeks to enhance political trust and expand cooperation in trade, investment, science-technology, innovation, green growth, and sustainable development, all of which support the nation's construction and development.

The delegation includes: Tran Sy Thanh, Chairman of the Central Inspection Commission; Le Minh Tri, Head of the Central Internal Affairs Commission; Phan Van Giang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense; Luong Tam Quang, Minister of Public Security; Le Hoai Trung, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Tran Duc Thang, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee; and Tran Luu Quang, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, among other officials, according to TTXVN.

General Secretary, President To Lam and his spouse departed from Hanoi on 19/10. *Photo: TTXVN*.

Denmark was among the first Western nations to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1971. Currently, over 150 Danish businesses operate in Vietnam with 174 active projects, totaling over 2 billion USD in registered capital. Denmark ranks 21st out of 153 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.

Vietnam and the European Union (EU) elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the European Council President's visit to Vietnam in 1/2026. Six years after the implementation of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), Vietnam has become the EU's largest trade partner in ASEAN. Conversely, the EU stands as Vietnam's 4th largest trade partner and 6th largest investor.

Two-way trade reached 73,8 billion USD in 2025, an 8% increase from 2024. In the first 6 months of 2026, bilateral trade amounted to 41,44 billion USD, marking a 16,3% rise compared to the same period in 2025. Cooperation in science-technology and innovation is also emerging as a new pillar of collaboration between Vietnam and many EU member states.

Vietnam and Belgium have maintained a traditional friendship since 1973. The two nations established a Strategic Partnership in agriculture in 2018. The King of Belgium has visited Vietnam multiple times, including three visits as Crown Prince in 1994, 2003, and 2013, and as monarch in 2025.

The Belgian Federal House of Representatives is the only foreign parliament to pass a resolution calling for support for Agent Orange victims in Vietnam. In terms of trade, Belgium is Vietnam's 6th largest trade partner within the EU, and Vietnam is Belgium's largest trade partner in ASEAN.

Huyen Le (According to TTXVN)