PM hopes for 3 billion USD in Vietnam-Belgium trade
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has suggested Belgian Ambassador Paul Jansen contribute to raising trade turnover between Vietnam and Belgium to 3 billion USD in the time ahead.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) and Belgian Ambassador Paul Jansen (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has suggested BelgianAmbassador Paul Jansen contribute to raising trade turnover between Vietnam and Belgium to 3 billion USD in thetime ahead.
At a receptionfor the newly-accredited ambassador in Hanoion November 23, PM Phuc said the Vietnam-Belgium relationship has developedfruitfully across fields. However, the two-way trade at 2.3 billion USD in thefirst ten months of this year has yet to match potential and strength of eachside.
Recalling hisofficial visit to Belgiumlast October, the PM said outcomes of the visit will create a firm foundationfor strengthening the bilateral relations.
He expressed hishope to welcome the Belgian Prime Minister in Vietnam as soon as possible.
He toldAmbassador Jansen that Vietnam has actively prepared for the EU-Vietnam FreeTrade Agreement (EVFTA) and called on Belgium to back the signing andratification of the deal.
PM Phuc said hebelieves that with his diplomatic experience, the ambassador will makecontributions to the relations between Vietnam and Belgium during his tenure inthe Southeast Asian nation.
For his part,Ambassador Jansen described PM Phuc’s visit to Belgium as a milestone in thebilateral ties, especially in the context of the two countries reaching anagreement on the establishment of a strategic partnership in agriculture, helpingpromote a quality and high-tech agricultural sector in Vietnam and boost Vietnam’sexports to Belgium.
Belgian firmswant to expand investment and seek new opportunities in Vietnam, hesaid, suggesting the Vietnamese Government exempt visa for Belgian citizens inorder to bolster tourism cooperation and cultural exchange between the twocountries.
The diplomat alsovoiced his wish that Vietnamand Belgiumwill provide mutual support and coordinate with each other in such areas aspeacekeeping and climate change combat.
Belgium alwayssupports Vietnam’s participation in the EVFTA, saying this would help Vietnam derive substantial strategic and economicbenefits brought about by the deal.-VNA
Belgium was one of the first Western countries to set up diplomatic relations with Vietnam following the signing of the Paris Peace Accords. From then on, the bilateral relations have been strengthen.
Belgium’s lower house of parliament backs expanding cooperation with Vietnam at all levels, said President of the Chamber of Representatives Siegfried Bracke when meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Brussels on October 17.
Vietnam and Belgium’s Wallonie-Bruxelles region signed cooperation minutes for the 2019-2021 period in Brussels on November 21, covering a total of 25 projects, as part of the 10th meeting of the Vietnam – Wallonie-Bruxelles Joint Committee.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly departed from Hanoi on August 10 morning for a four-day state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), which is made at an invitation of RoK President Lee Jae Myung.
As part of the ASEAN Day celebrations, the Vietnamese embassy will also host the ASEAN Family Day 2025 in Ottawa to foster solidarity and community spirit among ASEAN members in Canada.
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.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) and Belgian Ambassador Paul Jansen (Photo: baochinhphu.vn) 
