General Secretary, President To Lam (R) and Belgian Ambassador Karl Van den Bossche. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Belgium deepen all-around cooperation

Meeting Belgian Ambassador Karl Van den Bossche, General Secretary and President Lam commended his contributions to fostering the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Belgium, thereby further cementing Vietnam’s relationship with the European Union (EU).

The leader conveyed his regards and best wishes to the Belgian King, Queen and high-ranking leaders, reaffirming Belgium as an important EU partner. He expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum in bilateral ties, notably the Belgian King and Queen's State visit to Vietnam in 2025, which opened up new cooperation opportunities.

He singled out the Belgian Chamber of Representatives as the first, and so far only foreign legislature to adopt a resolution calling for support for Vietnamese Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims, underscoring that the toxic aftermath continues to harm generations of Vietnamese. He thanked the Belgian Government, parliament and people for their practical backing and credited Van den Bossche with advancing the resolution’s progress.

According to him, Belgium's strengths match Vietnam's development priorities, particularly in seaports, logistics, hi-tech and green agriculture, semiconductors, innovation, quality workforce training and sustainable development. He urged both sides to explore new cooperation areas, make breakthroughs in trade, investment and economic ties; accelerate flagship projects, encourage major Belgian enterprises to scale up in Vietnam, increase cooperation in maritime economy, shipping and logistics, and driving partnerships among localities to lift bilateral ties to a new height.

He voiced confidence that in his new role, the diplomat will actively support and contribute to Vietnam-Belgium and Vietnam-EU relations in his next post.

Ambassador Van den Bossche, for his part, relayed greetings from King Philippe, Queen Mathilde and high-ranking Belgian leaders to the Vietnamese host, leaders and people, calling his four-year posting a meaningful and successful chapter in his diplomatic career.

He said he is proud to have contributed to bilateral ties, particularly in AO/dioxin remediation and speeding up the ratification of the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), which is expected to be completed soon.

The Ambassador also proposed broader collaboration in sci-tech, education - training, advancing negotiations on visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic and official passports, and facilitating Belgian investment projects in Vietnam, including the Deep C project.

He pledged to continue promoting ties between Vietnam and Belgium as well as the EU in his new role and thanked General Secretary and President Lam, other Vietnamese leaders, ministries and agencies for enabling him to fulfill his mission.

Vietnam, Norway aim for deeper, more sustainable partnership

At the meeting with Norwegian Ambassador Hilde Solbakken, General Secretary and President Lam affirmed Vietnam's high regard for relations with Norway and expressed appreciation for its longstanding friendship and valuable support during Vietnam's development, noting that Norway was among the first Western European countries to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam in 1971 and has extensive development aid in education, healthcare, poverty reduction, environmental protection and sustainable development.

General Secretary , President To Lam (R) and Norwegian Ambassador Hilde Solbakken. (Photo: VNA)

He praised the positive trajectory of bilateral ties, singling out the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on a Green Strategic Partnership in April 2026 as a milestone that locks in a long-term commitment to cooperation across the marine economy, renewable energy, circular economy, climate action and sustainable development.

The leader also welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on the Vietnam-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Free Trade Agreement on July 2, 2026, calling it a major win that will open a new chapter in trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and EFTA members, including Norway.

Vietnam stays ready to complete procedures for the deal’s early signing, he said, crediting the ambassador’s work in pushing the negotiations forward.

He praised efforts to push cultural exchanges, citing the introduction of Norwegian cinema in Vietnam and the translation of Nobel laureate Jon Fosse’s literary works into Vietnamese. Looking ahead, he called for stronger cooperation in trade, investment, sustainable marine economy, renewable energy, green transition, circular economy, science and technology, and cultural and people-to-people exchange.

Ambassador Solbakken said she is impressed by Vietnam’s socio-economic gains, its rising international role and its commitment to green development and net-zero emissions by 2050.

Norway will continue to partner with Vietnam on a just energy transition through the Just Energy Transition Partnership, she said. She flagged broad potential of joint work in sustainable development, circular economy, climate change response, ocean governance, aquaculture, carbon credits, marine spatial planning, offshore wind, green shipping and shipbuilding.

On the occasion, General Secretary and President Lam asked the diplomat to convey his wishes to King Harald V, Queen Sonja, the Norwegian Government and people. He also wished the Ambassador more success in her new position and hoped that she would remain a close friend of Vietnam.

Vietnam, Netherlands nurture Comprehensive Partnership

Welcoming Dutch Ambassador Kees van Baar, General Secretary and President Lam praised his role in deepening the Vietnam - Netherlands Comprehensive Partnership, singling out people-to-people diplomacy and cultural events such as Dutch Day in Hai Phong and music activities marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

General Secretary, President To Lam (R) and Dutch Ambassador Kees van Baar. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam highly evaluates its Comprehensive Partnership with the Netherlands, which regards the Southeast Asian nation as a leading partner in the region, the top leader said.

He pointed to substantive progress in the bilateral relations, citing regular visits and meetings at all levels, effective delivery of strategic partnerships on climate adaptation, water management, sustainable agriculture and food security, and mutual backing at global and regional forums.

According to the leader, the Netherlands remains one of Vietnam’s top trade and investment partners, with growing investment in high-tech, logistics, green growth and sustainable development. Vietnam Airlines' direct route between Vietnam and Amsterdam, combined with a 45-day visa waiver for Dutch nationals, is set to further boost tourism, people-to-people exchanges and economic ties.

The General Secretary and President called for stronger cooperation in sci-tech, innovation, digital transformation, semiconductors, water management, climate change adaptation, marine economy, green infrastructure and sustainable growth. He also suggested the Netherlands remains a trusted partner during Vietnam's new development phase and pressed for more high-level exchanges with a view to elevating the bilateral ties.

He urged the diplomat to keep connecting ministries, localities and businesses, and linking Dutch innovation hubs, especially the Brainport ecosystem, with Vietnamese partners in semiconductors and hi-tech. He pushed for more Dutch investment in infrastructure and innovation, backed the establishment of friendship organisations, and called for spreading a positive image of Vietnam as a peaceful, friendly and dynamic nation among the Dutch people.

Calling people-to-people ties the bedrock of the bilateral relations, the top leader praised the contributions of friendship organisations, including the Medical Committee Netherlands–Vietnam, and flagship projects such as the Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted. He voiced his hope that the Netherlands would continue supporting the school's development and partner with Vietnam to launch more landmark projects.

Ambassador Van Baar expressed his profound admiration for Vietnam’s development achievements, describing the country as a model of people-centred growth, while praising the quality of its workforce and strong economic potential.

He said the bilateral ties have grown increasingly substantive and effective, with traditional cooperation in water management and sustainable agriculture now expanding into logistics, high-tech and innovation. He voiced his belief that the two countries share complementary strengths and can become a model of international cooperation.

The Ambassador vowed to remain a friend of Vietnam and actively spread the country’s image and people to the Dutch people. He called for more high-level exchanges and broader coordination in education, sci-tech, people-to-people exchanges, the rule of law and international law, aiming to contribute to maritime freedom, security and safety, as well as peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese leader extended his regards and best wishes to King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and the Dutch people. He also wished Ambassador van Baar continued success in his new assignment and expressed his hope that the diplomat would continue contributing to the Vietnam–Netherlands Comprehensive Partnership.

Vietnam, Brazil expand cooperation in new areas

Meeting Brazilian Ambassador Marco Farani, the top leader conveyed his greetings to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and affirmed that Vietnam sees Brazil as one of its most important partners in Latin America. He lauded Brazil's growing international role and its contributions to multilateralism, South–South cooperation, global governance reform, climate action and sustainable development.

General Secretary, President To Lam receives outgoing Ambassador of Brazil Marco Farani. (Photo: VNA)

He stressed that the bilateral ties have been growing during Ambassador Farani's tenure, particularly with the elevation of ties to a Strategic Partnership in November 2024. Both sides have maintained contacts and exchanges at all levels, while economic and trade ties remain a key pillar, with Brazil continuing as one of Vietnam's top trading partners in Latin America.

The top leader called for effective implementation of high-level agreements, including the 2025–2030 Action Plan for the Strategic Partnership, early completion of technical procedures for Brazil to recognise Vietnam’s market economy status, closer coordination in negotiating a Preferential Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), progress toward a bilateral trade target of 15 billion USD by 2030, and the removal of trade barriers between the two countries.

Ambassador Farani said Vietnam–Brazil relationship is at its best, serving both people’s interests and contributing to cooperation among Global South countries.

He thanked Vietnamese leaders and authorities for their support in driving the bilateral ties, facilitating business links, advancing investment projects, and broadening cooperation into new areas such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, clean energy, biofuels, ethanol and climate change response, alongside sci-tech, culture, education, tourism, people-to-people and locality-to-locality exchanges, and mutual support at international organisations and multilateral forums.

Honoured to be awarded Vietnam’s Friendship Order, a prestigious distinction recognising his contributions to the bilateral ties, Farani affirmed that Brazil considers Vietnam the most important partner in Southeast Asia. He said the Brazilian Government is ready to realise the Action Plan for the new partnership framework, prioritising high-level visits and exchanges to deepen cooperation in bioenergy, aviation, science and technology, and football.

The Ambassador also pledged to continue advancing the bilateral Strategic Partnership regardless of whatever position he may hold in the future.