Friendship get-together marks Belgium’s 186th National Day
Diplomats and Vietnamese alumni of Belgian universities gathered in a friendship get-together held by the Vietnam-Belgium Friendship Association (VBFA) in Hanoi on July 20 to celebrate 186 years of Belgium’s independence (July 21, 1831).
Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Jehanne Roccas. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Diplomats andVietnamese alumni of Belgian universities gathered in a friendship get-togetherheld by the Vietnam-Belgium Friendship Association (VBFA) in Hanoi on July 20to celebrate 186 years of Belgium’s independence (July 21, 1831).
Addressing the event, Deputy Minister ofEducation and Training and VBFA President Pham Manh Hung said the friendshipget-together is an annual event designed for those who love Belgium to meet,share information and seek business partnerships, dedicated to promotingfriendship between the two governments and peoples.
Vietnam-Belgium relations have deepenedthrough VBFA’s people-to-people diplomacy activities, including delegationvisits, friendship get-togethers, celebration ceremonies, photo exhibitions andmore, Hung noted.
He affirmed that the VBFA will hold morefriendship events, including seminars, workshops, training courses, experienceexchanges and other events to develop the network of Vietnamese alumni inBelgium.
Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Jehanne Roccas,for her part, said 2018 will mark the 45th anniversary of the twocountries’ diplomatic ties and highlighted fruitful cooperation in multiplefields, ranging from economy, development to academy and research.
Two-way trade has increased in recent years,with Belgium the sixth largest exporter and eighth biggest buyer of Vietnam inthe European Union, she said, adding that Belgium has invested 600 million EURinto Vietnam.
Education andtraining cooperation is a success story with about 2,000 Vietnamese studying inBelgium and another 2,000 graduated from an integrated educational programmepartnered with Belgium’s Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management inVietnam, the ambassador said.-VNA
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The Vietnamese Students Association in Belgium (SIVIBI) on June 25 convened its third congress to review activities during 2014-2017 and set out orientations for the next three years.
A drainage system of North Cho Lau town centre, Bac Binh district, the central province of Binh Thuan, built with Belgium’s financial aid, was inaugurated on July 7.
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Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
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At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Over the past five decades, the Vietnam - Angola relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
President Luong Cuong called on the two countries to join hands to promote South – South cooperation, contribute to building a fair and equal global political and economic order, safeguard independence and sovereignty, and promote extensive and substantive international solidarity and cooperation.
President Luong Cuong called on the community to remain united, integrate well into local society, adhere to local laws, and continue contributing to both Angola’s development and Vietnam – Angola relations.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Angola Carolina Cerqueira agreed to continue strengthening political trust, boost high-level delegation exchanges via all channels, including the parliamentary one, and create favourable legal conditions for bilateral cooperation.
Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Jehanne Roccas. (Photo: VNA) 
