General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and State President To Lam hosted separate farewell receptions in Hanoi on July 9 for the outgoing ambassadors of Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands and Brazil.
Viet Nam, 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 Viet Nam and Belgium, thereby further cementing Viet Nam’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 Viet Nam 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 Viet Nam'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 Viet Nam, 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 Viet Nam-Belgium and Viet Nam-EU relations in his next post.
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–Viet Nam 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 Viet Nam, including the Deep C project.
He pledged to continue promoting ties between Viet Nam 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.
Viet Nam, Norway aim for deeper, more sustainable partnership
At the meeting with Norwegian Ambassador Hilde Solbakken, General Secretary and President Lam affirmed Viet Nam's high regard for relations with Norway and expressed appreciation for its longstanding friendship and valuable support during Viet Nam's development, noting that Norway was among the first Western European countries to establish diplomatic ties with Viet Nam in 1971 and has extensive development aid in education, healthcare, poverty reduction, environmental protection and sustainable development.
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 Viet Nam-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 Viet Nam and EFTA members, including Norway.
Viet Nam 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 Viet Nam 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.
Solbakken said she is impressed by Viet Nam’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 Viet Nam 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 Viet Nam.
Viet Nam, Netherlands nurture Comprehensive Partnership
Welcoming Dutch Ambassador Kees van Baar, General Secretary and President Lam praised his role in deepening the Viet Nam - 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.
Viet Nam 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 Viet Nam’s top trade and investment partners, with growing investment in high-tech, logistics, green growth and sustainable development. Viet Nam Airlines' direct route between Viet Nam 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 Viet Nam'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 Viet Nam 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–Viet Nam, 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 Viet Nam to launch more landmark projects.
Van Baar expressed his profound admiration for Viet Nam’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 Viet Nam 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 van Baar continued success in his new assignment and expressed his hope that the diplomat would continue contributing to the Viet Nam–Netherlands Comprehensive Partnership.
Viet Nam, 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 Viet Nam 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.
He stressed that the bilateral ties have been growing during 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 Viet Nam'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 Viet Nam’s market economy status, closer coordination in negotiating a Preferential Trade Agreement between Viet Nam 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.
Farani said Viet Nam–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.
Honored to be awarded Viet Nam’s Friendship Order, a prestigious distinction recognising his contributions to the bilateral ties, Farani affirmed that Brazil considers Viet Nam 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 diplomat also pledged to continue advancing the bilateral Strategic Partnership regardless of whatever position he may hold in the future.
