HCM City wants to step up cooperation with Belgian localities and partners: Official
King Philippe underscored the importance of reinforcing solidarity between Belgium and Vietnam, especially in today's unpredictable changes in the world situation, and stressed the need for intensified cooperation between the two nations.
Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen (R) receives King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA)🗹 – Ho Chi Minh City wants and is ready to cooperate with Belgian localities and partners in key sectors, including education, healthcare, environmental protection, and science and technology, turning these promising areas into projects to realise the friendly relations between Vietnam and Belgium, a municipal official has said.
At a meeting on April 3 with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, who are on a state visit to Vietnam, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen praised the Belgian Chamber of Representatives for being the first foreign parliament to pass a resolution supporting victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam in October 2023, thus helping to raise international attention and support for Agent Orange victims.
The Belgian Parliament's decision is a moral act of profound significance towards the Vietnamese people, because up to now, not only the Vietnamese people but also those who used Agent Orange in Vietnam and the following generations are suffering from the effects of this toxic substance, he noted.
Nen also expressed heartfelt gratitude to Queen Mathilde, who is the Honorary President of UNICEF Belgium, for her tireless efforts in advancing healthcare, education, and support for vulnerable children in Vietnam, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City. He thanked Belgium for its vital support during the city's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen (R) receives King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium. (Photo: VNA)
King Philippe underscored the importance of reinforcing solidarity between Belgium and Vietnam, especially in today's unpredictable changes in the world situation, and stressed the need for intensified cooperation between the two nations.
The King said Belgian businesses joining this visit not only want to showcase Belgium's economic potential but also explore opportunities for contributing to social fields in Vietnam, such as supporting disadvantaged children.
Belgium’s focus on social projects aims to provide meaningful, long-term benefits to local communities, further solidifying the relationship between the two nations. Additionally, Belgium is keen to boost cooperation with small and medium-sized enterprises in sectors where the country holds significant expertise.
During their stay in Ho Chi Minh City, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde will visit the War Remnants Museum and Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, and participate in several other activities./.
Belgian investors, in partnership with local stakeholders, are currently implementing three key projects in Quang Ninh, including two major industrial infrastructure developments - the Bac Tien Phong and Nam Tien Phong Industrial Parks in Quang Yen township.
The visit underscores Vietnam's steadfast foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and proactive international integration. It also reaffirms Vietnam's commitment to strengthening ties with Belgium, a key partner within the European Union.
President Cuong warmly welcomed King Philippe and a high-ranking delegation of the Kingdom of Belgium on their first state visit to Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973, affirming that the trip is an important historical milestone, opening up a new page for the friendly relations between the two countries.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
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.
