Roots of the Strong Vietnam-Belgium Relationship: From Mutual Trust to Warm Friendship
WVR - The twists of fate and fortunate circumstances led me to the beautiful, multilingual, and culturally rich Kingdom of Belgium, located at the heart of Europe. My years of working in Belgium have granted me invaluable opportunities and unforgettable memories.
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| President Luong Cuong and his Spouse hosted a welcoming ceremony for the King and Queen of Belgium on the morning of April 1. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
A journey Defined by perseverance
The historic state visit of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium to Vietnam in late March and early April brings back memories of my early days after presenting my Letters of Credence in September 2003.
One of the Embassy’s most important tasks was to work alongside relevant Belgian authorities in preparing for Crown Prince Philippe’s visit to Vietnam at the time. The visit was highly successful in many aspects and served as a catalyst for numerous investment and cooperation projects that continue to this day. Vietnam has always been held in high regard by the Belgian Royal Family.
Vietnam and Belgium established diplomatic relations in 1973, and their bilateral ties have continued to grow, deepening over time. The partnership is emerging as a successful model of North-South cooperation - resilient and enduring - between a developed and a developing nation.
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| Ambassador Phan Thuy Thanh was conferred the Order of Leopold II by the Belgian Royal Family. (Photo: Ambassador Phan Thuy Thanh) |
Belgium has now become Vietnam's sixth-largest trading partner within the European Union (EU), with hundreds of investment projects across the country.
Meanwhile, although still limited in number, Vietnamese enterprises have begun to reap the rewards, securing investment projects worth tens of millions of USD right in the heart of Europe.
If we turn back the clock to the early years, it would have been hard for any of us to envision the remarkable and deepening Vietnam-Belgium relationship as it stands today—flourishing across all key sectors, including politics, investment, economy, trade, science and technology, development cooperation, culture, and education.
Looking back on my years of service in Belgium (1993-1997 and 2003-2007), I have come to deeply appreciate that fostering bilateral relations requires political will, determination, and goodwill from both nations. At the heart of this enduring partnership lies the most crucial element: the people.
This is evidenced by the tireless efforts of generations of leaders, citizens, diplomats, scientists, entrepreneurs, students, as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations from both nations, who have dedicated themselves to nurturing and strengthening Vietnam-Belgium relations. Today, this partnership stands as a model of sustainability, highly regarded by the international community.
Thanks to these 'bridging connections,' the Vietnam-Belgium relationship has remained strong for over 50 years, enduring challenges and complexities while consistently maintaining its positive political foundation.
The “Vietnam-Belgium partnership” has remained steadfast, never experiencing a 'freeze' or stagnation. Instead, it has continuously moved forward, with cooperation growing not only deeper but also more substantive, adapting to evolving circumstances.
Because Vietnam deserves it!
In my view, the roots of this strong and enduring relationship lie in shared interests, mutual trust, and a common aspiration—to cooperate for sustainable development and the benefit of both nations.
Both nations are committed to cooperation based on mutual respect and support for economic and social development. This commitment is reflected in numerous agreements and long-term collaborative projects that continue to yield positive results.
Throughout the history of bilateral relations, Belgium has been at the forefront of debt relief for Vietnam and has actively supported the country in key areas such as poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, rural development, and science and technology.
Had Vietnam not been deserving, this honour would not have been bestowed. Thanks to this support, numerous programs and projects in economic development, high-tech agriculture, urban infrastructure, and science and technology have been implemented, allowing Vietnam to access advanced technologies and modern management expertise from Belgium, thereby contributing to sustainable development.
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 Vietnam, Belgium Deputy Prime Ministers hold meeting on bilateral multifaceted cooperation |
Speaking of the roots of this strong relationship, I would like to emphasize that alongside Vietnam’s tremendous efforts, what has deeply impressed me and remains close to my heart is the friendship, empathy, and unwavering support extended to Vietnam by the Belgian Royal Family, the Federal Government, the linguistic Communities, the Regional authorities, as well as various associations and the Belgian people. Throughout the years, we, as diplomats serving in Belgium, have profoundly felt and appreciated this solidarity.
As time passes, it has been nearly 18 years since I concluded my tenure in Belgium, yet I will never forget the genuine warmth and kindness that the Embassy and I personally received from so many Belgian friends—at all levels and across various fields.
Perhaps this warmth also stems from the similarities in the character of our two peoples: sincerity, openness, diligence, resilience in the face of challenges, and an unwavering commitment to seeking common ground in all circumstances.
Among these loyal friends, it is impossible not to mention the many Belgian university professors and education experts who first came to Vietnam in their youth and have now reached the distinguished ages of 70 and 80—an age considered rare and venerable in Vietnamese culture.
Yet, they remain as dedicated and passionate as ever, actively contributing to academic exchanges, research collaborations, and the development of bilateral training programs. Their partnerships with Vietnam’s leading universities have provided invaluable opportunities for students and lecturers from both countries to engage in international learning and research environments, helping Vietnam nurture a high-quality workforce.
These contributions have been made with the utmost sincerity, transparency, and a deep sense of purpose—always practical and, most importantly, timely.
Brussels, home to more than 1,100 international organizations, including NATO and six EU institutions, hosts 600 international news agencies, 400 diplomatic missions, and 1,700 representatives of European and global enterprises. It is a vibrant hub where diplomacy, advocacy, and the pursuit of shared interests unfold in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
However, when it comes to Vietnam, our Belgian friends have always extended the highest level of courtesy, utmost respect, and the most favourable conditions in welcoming and facilitating numerous Vietnamese delegations. This includes high-level visits by the General Secretary, the Prime Minister, and the Chairman of the National Assembly, reflecting the deep and enduring ties between our two nations.
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| Ambassador Phan Thuy Thanh delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of Vietnam Month in Belgium in 2006. (Photo: Ambassador Phan Thuy Thanh) |
"Like members of one family"
I will never forget the remarkable efforts and special sentiments extended by the government of East Flanders and the city of Ghent in their unwavering support and nearly full sponsorship of the "Vietnam Month in Belgium" in 2006. This initiative served as a platform to promote Vietnam’s trade, culture, and tourism to the Belgian public.
As part of this series of events, in the city of Liège (in the French-speaking region), our Belgian friends and local officials worked side by side with the Embassy staff-rolling up their sleeves, sharing meals, and staying late into the night-all to ensure that Vietnam’s pavilion was the most vibrant and captivating at the festival.
It also became a cherished tradition that every spring, during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, the administration of Saint-Michel College-an esteemed institution where members of the Belgian Royal Family once studied-graciously offered its grand premises, including the historic Saint-Michel Theatre in the heart of Brussels, as a venue for the Vietnamese Embassy to host New Year celebrations for thousands of guests.
It was here that the late Professor Tran Van Khe and the Nha nhac (Royal Court Music) Ensemble gave a breathtaking performance of Hue Court Music, leaving an enduring impression and a lasting sense of pride for Vietnamese culture in Europe.
These cherished memories of beautiful Belgium continue to accompany me through the years far too many to recount in a single piece of writing.
Belgium has become an inseparable part of my life’s journey. No matter where I go, I will always remember those precious days with deep gratitude and immense pride.
My years of diplomatic service in Belgium not only granted me invaluable opportunities to engage in foreign affairs, navigate negotiations, and seek consensus-driven solutions but also allowed me to immerse myself in a different cultural landscape. It was an experience that deepened mutual understanding, fostered sincere human connections, and nurtured lifelong friendships an experience I will forever treasure.
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