People-to-people diplomacy helps strengthen Vietnam–Czech Republic ties

General Secretary and President To Lam expressed his hope that from this hall at the Egmont Institute, European policymakers and scholars will come to see Vietnam as a “trusted partner” and a “strategic link” connecting the continents of Asia and Europe.

The top leader called on Flanders to support the early elevation of Vietnam–Belgium relations to a strategic partnership, take a pioneering role in promoting economic cooperation, encourage businesses to expand investment in Vietnam, and back the completion of ratification and effective implementation of the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

The host leaders described the Belgian House of Representatives' approval of the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) as tangible evidence of the two countries’ determination and potential to expand economic, trade and investment cooperation.

Discussing future orientations, General Secretary and President Lam suggested that the government of the Wallonia region support the early elevation of Vietnam–Belgium ties to a Strategic Partnership.

Vietnam's Engineering Unit Rotation 4 and Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 7 have succesfully completed their UN peacekeeping missions, heard a hybrid conference hosted by the Ministry of National Defence on October 23.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said Vietnam always attaches importance to the UN’s central, irreplaceable role in global governance, and praised the broad, substantive gains in cooperation since Vietnam joined the bloc almost 50 years ago.

Belgium attaches importance to its relationship with Vietnam, values the country’s economic development and has made positive contributions to Vietnam’s development through development cooperation programmes. The two countries have also actively coordinated at multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and the ASEAN-EU framework.

"I believe that many Poles will follow the Prime Minister’s footsteps and will soon come to Viet Nam. His presence and support for business is also a strong signal that we are serious about advancing bilateral relations," Polish Ambassador to Viet Nam Joanna Skoczek shared with news outlets prior to Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk's visit to Viet Nam. 

Belgium places great importance on the relationship and stays ready to support Vietnam in reaching its sustainable development goals, said Belgian King Philippe.

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the visit, Hai said the trip reflects the Polish Government’s high regard for Vietnam as one of Poland’s priority partners in the Indo-Pacific and an important partner in ASEAN.

Vietnam regards the EU as one of its top-priority partners, with substantial shared interests and long-term cooperation potential. It wishes to translate commitments into concrete outcomes and practical cooperation projects that will support development and improve the lives of people on both sides, said top leader To Lam.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the partnership, including through Global Gateway investments and the Just Energy Transition Partnership.

The leader stressed that Vietnam-Belgium relations had been built and nurtured over the years on the foundations of friendship, trust and mutually beneficial cooperation. Flanders and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges are important partners in this relationship, particularly in maritime affairs, seaports and logistics.

This is the first time a Letter of Intent has been signed between the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam and the European Commission to implement cooperation comprehensively, from qualification recognition in education and training to skills development in the new period.

Lawmakers then will hold group discussions on the draft law on compulsory purchase and requisition of property, the draft law on legal normative documents and the implementation report.

Trung highlighted the positive development of Vietnam-Belgium relations over the past more than five decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties, particularly following the state visit to Vietnam by the Belgian King and Queen in April 2025. He affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to friendship and cooperation with Belgium, an important partner in Europe.

The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in economics, trade, investment, science and technology, innovation, energy transition, the green economy, the marine economy, education and training, and people-to-people exchanges.

On regional and international issues, both leaders agreed to coordinate closely at multilateral forums, uphold multilateralism and international law, and promote free, smooth and unhindered trade. They also underscored the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), thus contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development in the region and the world.

Cooperation should go beyond expanding trade and investment to improving its quality, increasing technological content, raising development standards and competitiveness, and strengthening the position of businesses from both sides in global value chains, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam said.

VGP - Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk is set to pay an official visit to Viet Nam from October 24-26, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday.