This is the first state visit to Denmark by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the first official visit to the EU and Belgium by Party chief and State President To Lam. The visits will strengthen political trust, and provide an opportunity to identify cooperation priorities that match each side’s strengths and Vietnam’s development needs, particularly in trade, investment, science, technology, innovation, and green growth.
Building on strengths and expanding cooperation
Renewable energy, the circular economy, and green growth offer significant potential for cooperation with Denmark. Bilateral trade in the first 8 months of 2026 rose 38% year on year, showing potential for further cooperation and providing a basis for expanded trade, investment, and business partnerships.
Belgium has strengths in artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, seaports, and logistics, which are sectors Vietnam is keen to develop to enhance its technological capabilities and economic competitiveness.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the EU Nguyen Huong Tra said: "With its strengths in digital transformation, artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing, Belgium can help Vietnam develop these sectors and participate more deeply in global supply and production chains. Belgium also has valuable experience in developing seaports, strategic infrastructure, green logistics, and smart logistics systems."
The elevation of ties with the EU to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in January this year has provided a new political foundation for expanding cooperation, and the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is a key driver of trade, investment, and business connectivity.
EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier highlighted the importance of trade and investment in bilateral relations: "EU - Vietnam relations have developed consistently and very solidly over the past thirty five years of diplomatic relations. We have now a very strong, broad and deep relationship that spans all areas of policy making and cooperation. We have three big pillars of cooperation. The first one is trade and investment. We have an FTA, a free trade agreement between the EU and Vietnam that has led to trade between the EU and Vietnam, to increase by forty percent in the last five years. Europe is one of the main export markets for Vietnam. We are one of the main investors here in Vietnam, and Vietnam has become our first trading partner in goods in the ASEAN, and we are working very strongly together with the Just Energy Transition Partnership."
Turning commitments into tangible benefits
In the new phase of cooperation, however, expanding trade must go hand in hand with improving the quality of growth. Translating political commitments into tangible benefits that serve both sides’ development goals is expected to feature prominently in discussions between the Vietnamese and EU leaders.
Ambassador Tra said: "Science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation will continue to be top priorities in Vietnam-EU relations in the coming period. Cooperation will go beyond high-level commitments and will result in concrete projects and actions. The EU has strong capabilities and priorities, including high-quality human resource development, education, and training, and strategic infrastructure, which are potential areas for further bilateral cooperation."
Expanding cooperation with European partners will help Vietnam diversify its markets and sources of capital and technology, strengthen its economic autonomy, and create fresh momentum for development.
Mr. Lam’s visits to Denmark, the EU, and Belgium will give new impetus to Vietnam-Europe relations. By building on their respective strengths and aligning shared visions with practical needs, they can deepen cooperation sustainably and contribute to Vietnam’s development goals in the new development phase.
