A key outcome of the trip was shared views on development, a shared aspiration for peace, and a shared determination to deepen cooperation. At a time of mounting global uncertainties, intensifying competition, and challenges to the world economy, it has become more important to strengthen ties with partners that share an interest in peace, stability, and sustainable development.
Turning commitments into tangible benefits
The first-ever state visit to Denmark by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam opened up opportunities to deepen bilateral ties. The two sides issued a joint statement upgrading Vietnam-Denmark relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with priority given to
areas where Denmark has considerable strengths and Vietnam has substantial development needs, such as science, technology, green transition, and energy transition.
Addressing a policy forum at the University of Copenhagen, Party leader and President To Lam said: “Vietnam has identified an autonomous, self-reliant, innovative, humane, sustainable, and internationally integrated development model. Science, technology, innovation, and the knowledge economy are its core drivers, while the green and energy transitions offer opportunities to restructure the economy. Vietnam particularly values Denmark’s experience in social trust, transparent and accountable public administration, and stable policies. With our many similarities and complementary strengths, Vietnam regards Denmark as a trusted partner with which to share experience, learn from one another, and create new value.”
King Frederik X presented the Vietnamese leader with the Order of the Elephant, Denmark’s highest distinction, traditionally awarded to members of royal families and foreign heads of state.
Mr. Lam’s visit to the European Union helped to consolidate bilateral relations and inject fresh momentum into existing cooperation frameworks. Priority will be given to making more effective use of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), promoting trade and investment, and expanding cooperation into emerging fields.
The Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission reaffirmed Vietnam’s importance as an EU partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, said: "Vietnam's economic dynamism, its talent, its industrial ambitions, together with Europe's investment, its research, its technological capabilities, these offer opportunities that we create value together. These opportunities span clean energy, sustainable transport, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, healthcare, advanced manufacturing. And we want investment that strengthens local supply chains, that supports innovation, that creates quality jobs in both of our economies."
In addition to attending the Vietnam-EU Business Forum, Mr. Lam met with executives of major European companies and business groups to discuss investment opportunities and cooperation projects with a combined value of approximately 22.4 billion USD.
The Vietnamese leader’s official visit to Belgium helped to strengthen political trust, promote bilateral cooperation, and reinforce Belgium’s role as a bridge in Vietnam-EU relations.
Prior to the visit, the Belgian Chamber of Representatives voted to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), which provides a high-standard legal framework for investment protection and creates more favorable conditions for investment.
The two sides agreed to pursue new breakthroughs and promote large-scale, strategic cooperation projects, including seaport development, smart logistics networks, green energy, eco-industrial parks, and climate-resilient, high-tech agriculture.
New opportunities on the horizon
From Denmark to Belgium, and from bilateral ties to the broader Vietnam-EU partnership, the visits have created fresh momentum for turning a shared vision into action, commitments into achievements, and potential into tangible benefits for the people.
Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said: “Implementation is a matter of great importance to Vietnam. We’re determined to ensure that the outcomes of high-level diplomatic engagements become real resources that contribute to socio-economic development in this new era.”
The strong political commitment, mutual trust, and spirit of mutually beneficial cooperation of Vietnam and its European partners are a solid basis for writing a new chapter in relations defined by peace, prosperity, innovation, and sustainable development.
