Hanoi, October 26, 2026 – The Europe Today: General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee and President Tô Lâm has concluded successful official visits to the European Union (EU) and Belgium from October 21 to 24, strengthening political trust and opening new opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, green transition and logistics.
The visits, accompanied by his spouse and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, reaffirmed Việt Nam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification as the country enters a new era of national development.
Deepening Việt Nam–EU Strategic Cooperation
Since establishing diplomatic relations on November 28, 1990, Việt Nam and the EU have steadily expanded their partnership across multiple sectors.
During his stay in Brussels, Tô Lâm held talks and high-level meetings with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The EU leaders described Việt Nam as an important partner in the Indo-Pacific region and expressed confidence that both sides could build on their political trust and existing achievements to advance their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and deliver tangible benefits.
Costa called for more substantive cooperation through EU programmes and initiatives, including Global Gateway, to promote high-quality investment, sustainable connectivity infrastructure and the energy transition.
He also highlighted opportunities for collaboration in maritime security, cybersecurity, crisis management and addressing non-traditional challenges, particularly climate change and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI).
Both sides agreed to strengthen dialogue and exchanges at all levels, especially at the highest level, while expanding cooperation in green transition, innovation, strategic infrastructure and the circular economy.
They also shared a commitment to developing a sustainable blue economy, protecting oceans and enhancing maritime security, agreeing to explore ways to establish marine economic cooperation as a new pillar of bilateral relations.
Tô Lâm called for closer economic, trade and investment ties through more effective implementation of the EU–Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). He urged both sides to address outstanding issues, including the removal of the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood exports, and accelerate ratification of the EU–Việt Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).
He further proposed making science and technology, innovation and energy transition strategic areas of cooperation, drawing on the complementary strengths of Việt Nam and the EU to enhance economic autonomy, resilience and self-reliance.
Von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s readiness to support Việt Nam’s ambition to become a regional transport and transit hub. She also called for stronger implementation of recently signed cooperation arrangements concerning the Bác Ái hydropower project, Liên Chiểu Port in Đà Nẵng and the renovation and preservation of Long Bien Bridge in Hà Nội.
Addressing a high-level roundtable with leading European and Belgian businesses, Tô Lâm outlined Việt Nam’s priorities for economic cooperation and investment.
He stressed that Việt Nam would continue improving its investment climate by ensuring stability, transparency, competitiveness and predictability. The country would also strengthen project preparation, provide transparent information and address legitimate business concerns through clear responsibilities, timelines and measurable results.
European Commission Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness Roxana Minzatu expressed confidence that combining Việt Nam’s economic dynamism and development ambitions with the EU’s research and technological capabilities would create significant opportunities in clean energy, semiconductors, AI, healthcare, manufacturing modernisation and local supply chains, while supporting the creation of quality jobs.
Việt Nam–Belgium Relations Set for Further Expansion
The visits also highlighted growing momentum in relations between Việt Nam and Belgium, which have made significant progress in political trust, trade, investment, agriculture, education, science and technology.
The Strategic Partnership in Agriculture, established in 2018, has provided an important framework for bilateral cooperation.
On October 22, local time, Belgium’s Chamber of Representatives ratified EVIPA ahead of Tô Lâm’s meeting with Belgian parliamentary leaders. The development demonstrated Belgium’s commitment to strengthening investment protection and expanding economic, trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.
During high-level talks and meetings between members of the Vietnamese delegation and their Belgian counterparts, both sides emphasised the complementary nature of their economies and the considerable potential for further collaboration.
Priority areas identified included services, finance, research and development, ecological agriculture, environmental protection, higher education, innovation, environmentally friendly industries, multimodal logistics, shipbuilding technology, port management, renewable energy, critical raw materials, semiconductors, biotechnology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and transport.
Speaking at Belgium’s Egmont Institute, Tô Lâm said Việt Nam, as one of the Southeast Asian countries with the most comprehensive partnerships with the EU and the current coordinator of ASEAN–EU relations, was ready to serve as a pilot model and strategic bridge between the two regional blocs.
He said Việt Nam aimed to help transform ASEAN–EU cooperation into an exemplary interregional partnership, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity across both continents.
During a visit to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Europe’s second-largest port, the Vietnamese leader outlined his country’s ambition to develop a modern, green and smart seaport system.
He highlighted the importance of strengthening connections between seaports, inland waterways, railways and other transport modes to improve Việt Nam’s integration into global supply chains and international trade networks.
Tô Lâm also expressed Việt Nam’s interest in expanding cooperation with Belgium and the Flanders region through concrete programmes and projects delivering practical benefits.
On the occasion, he witnessed the signing of a framework agreement between the Việt Nam Maritime Corporation (VIMC) and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
The agreement is expected to establish a foundation for cooperation in maritime transport, seaports and logistics, while strengthening trade connectivity between Việt Nam, Belgium and the wider European market.
Overseas Vietnamese Community Recognised as Development Partner
The Vietnamese leader also engaged with members of the Vietnamese community in Europe, where approximately 1.5 million Vietnamese people live, forming one of the overseas Vietnamese communities with a long history of engagement and strong connections to their homeland.
At a meeting with staff of Vietnamese representative agencies in Belgium and members of the Vietnamese community in Europe, Tô Lâm said the Party and State were mobilising resources to generate new drivers of national development.
During a separate meeting with Vietnamese experts and intellectuals in Belgium and Luxembourg, he underscored the spirit of Politburo Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW, which recognises overseas Vietnamese not merely as beneficiaries of government policies but as active participants and partners in the country’s development.
Tô Lâm expressed hope that the Association of Vietnamese Intellectuals in Belgium and Luxembourg would continue expanding its network with universities, research institutes and technology companies in Belgium, Luxembourg and other European countries.
He also encouraged the association to help European audiences better understand Việt Nam’s ongoing innovation and international integration efforts.
Furthermore, he called on the organisation to strengthen mentoring and support for younger generations of Vietnamese intellectuals in Europe, ensuring the continued transfer of knowledge, expertise and experience to the homeland.
The visits underscored Việt Nam’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnerships with the EU and Belgium, advancing economic and technological cooperation, promoting sustainable development and mobilising overseas expertise to support its long-term national development goals.
