Viet Nam–Denmark ties gain fresh momentum with comprehensive strategic partnership
Viet Nam and Denmark have elevated their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, opening new chapter in deep and effective cooperation between the two countries, toward sustainable development for a green future.
The upgrade was announced during the state visit to Denmark by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam, his spouse and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation from October 19–21, marking a milestone in bilateral relations that have progressed from traditional development partners to comprehensive partners in 2013 and Green Strategic Partners in 2023.
New momentum for cooperation
King Frederik X conferred General Secretary and President Lam the Order of the Elephant, Denmark's highest honour reserved for members of Royal Family and foreign heads of state, as the two countries mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties (1971–2026). The gesture carried profound political and diplomatic significance, recognising their longstanding cooperation and reaffirming Denmark's special appreciation of Viet Nam.
While in Denmark, the top Vietnamese leader held high-level meetings with Danish leaders. At his meeting with King Frederik X and Queen Mary, both sides welcomed the positive development of bilateral relations. The King recalled his visits to Viet Nam in 2009, 2011 and 2022, highlighting the Danish Royal Family's special connection with the country, including fond memories of his late father, Prince Henrik, who had lived in Hanoi.
The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in economics, trade, investment, science and technology, innovation, energy transition, the green economy, the marine economy, education and training, and people-to-people exchanges, according to VNA.
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| Denmark's King Frederik X (second, right) and Queen Mary (first, right), General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam (second, left) and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly pose for a group photo. (Photo: VNA) |
At a meeting with Danish Parliament Speaker Henrik Frandsen, the two leaders praised the contributions of the two legislatures to strengthening political trust and consolidating the legal foundations for bilateral cooperation. They concurred to increase exchanges at all levels and share experience in institutional development related to digital transformation, green economy and circular economy, and climate change response. On international issues, they stressed the importance of upholding the United Nations Charter, respecting independence and sovereignty, and settling disputes peacefully. They also supported ASEAN's position on the East Sea in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Following talks between General Secretary and President Lam and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, the two countries adopted a joint statement on the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Denmark became the first Nordic country and the second European Union member state to establish this highest-level partnership framework with Viet Nam.
PM Frederiksen affirmed Denmark’s readiness to share experience and technology and support Viet Nam in developing renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, promoting a just energy transition and achieving its net-zero emissions target by 2050.
Expanding business opportunities
Viet Nam is entering a new phase of development, accelerating a growth model driven by science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, while advancing green transition and sustainable development. These are areas in which Denmark has considerable strengths, creating opportunities for the two countries to move beyond policy and experience sharing towards investment, technology research and development, high-quality human resource training, and the creation of new products and growth drivers.
At the Viet Nam–Denmark Business Forum and a meeting with Danish multinational corporations, including LEGO, Maersk, Pandora, Carlsberg, CIP and Vestas, attended by King Frederik X and the Vietnamese leader, the two sides explored opportunities for expanded business cooperation.
General Secretary and President Lam encouraged Danish enterprises to move from “investing in Vietnam” to “investing alongside Vietnam” through stronger links with domestic businesses, and from “producing in Vietnam” to “researching, innovating and making in Vietnam”, positioning Viet Nam as a regional research and development and innovation hub. Priority areas include green growth, offshore wind power, green logistics and seaport infrastructure, biomedicine, high-tech agriculture and the circular economy.
During the visit, leaders of the two countries witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents involving ministries, agencies and businesses in areas including life sciences, advanced biomedicine, digital healthcare, sustainable energy, offshore wind power, aviation supply chains, quantum information technology and STEAM education.
At the University of Copenhagen, General Secretary and President Lam delivered a policy speech outlining five major directions for cooperation and stressing Vietnam’s determination to make science and technology, innovation and education key drivers of development as it pursues its centenary goals.
Alongside political and economic engagements, people-centred activities helped deepen ties between the two countries. In Copenhagen, General Secretary and President Lam, his spouse and the delegation met Vietnamese embassy staff and representatives of Vietnamese communities in Denmark, Iceland and southern Sweden.
Le Son Ha, president of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Sweden, stressed the importance of preserving the Vietnamese language and passing cultural values on to younger generations, affirming the Vietnamese community’s commitment to solidarity and mutual support.
In a separate activity on October 19, Madam Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of the Vietnamese leader, and Queen Mary presented a collection of Vietnamese books to BIBLIOTEKET Rentemestervej, a library and community cultural centre in Copenhagen.
General Secretary and President Lam's successful state visit to Denmark marked a historic milestone in bilateral relations, reflecting the strategic vision, political determination and mutual trust of the two countries' leaders. It has also provided fresh impetus for Viet Nam–Denmark ties to reach new heights through broader and more effective cooperation.
Viet Nam and Belgium look to broaden strategic partnership
Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung and Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation Maxime Prévot discussed these areas in Brussels on October 22, during the official visit to European Union and Belgium by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and State President To Lam.
Strengthening political ties and turning commitments into action
Trung welcomed the positive development of bilateral relations, particularly following the Belgian King and Queen’s State visit to Viet Nam in April 2025. He described leader To Lam’s visit as an important opportunity for the two countries’ senior leaders to exchange views and set directions for a higher-level framework of strategic and practical cooperation.
Viet Nam regards Belgium as an important partner in Europe and sees scope to build on more than five decades of diplomatic ties by elevating bilateral cooperation to a more strategic level, he told his host.
He also thanked Belgium’s Foreign Ministry for its close coordination in preparing the visit and welcomed the Belgian Federal Parliament’s adoption of a resolution in October 2023 calling for support for Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange, cited VOV.
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| Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung (L) and Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation Maxime Prévot shake hands ahead of their meeting in Brussels on October 22, 2026. |
Trung expressed particular appreciation for Prévot’s efforts to advance ratification of the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and welcomed the Belgian Federal Parliament’s early approval of the agreement.
The Vietnamese minister proposed that the two foreign ministries strengthen their coordinating role in implementing the outcomes and directions agreed by the countries’ senior leaders. He also called for closer defence and security cooperation, stronger political trust and effective implementation of bilateral agreements.
Trung also proposed making science, technology and innovation a new focus of bilateral ties, with opportunities in semiconductors, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and high-tech agriculture.
Belgium suggests fostering economic ties
Prévot, for his part, welcomed leader To Lam’s visit as an opportunity to consolidate political trust and open new avenues for cooperation. He reaffirmed Belgium’s regard for its relationship with Viet Nam, praised the country’s socio-economic achievements and growing international role, and expressed his readiness to strengthen coordination between the two foreign ministries to follow through on the visit’s outcomes.
Prévot shared the interest in advancing economic, trade and investment ties, particularly in sectors where Belgium has strengths, including ports, logistics, high technology and sustainable development. He also supported making greater use of cooperation opportunities between Viet Nam and Belgium’s regions and communities.
On regional and international affairs, the two ministers underscored the importance of multilateralism, respect for international law, dialogue and peaceful settlement of disputes. They discussed closer coordination and mutual support at the United Nations and other multilateral forums, as well as efforts to advance Viet Nam–EU, Belgium–ASEAN and ASEAN–EU relations, contributing to peace, stability and sustainable development.
UK Royal Navy’s patrol vessel pays second visit to Ho Chi Minh City
The UK Royal Navy’s offshore patrol vessel HMS Spey docked at Nha Rong – Khanh Hoi International Port in Ho Chi Minh City on October 22, starting a week-long friendship visit.
It is the ship’s first call at the city since 2023. Officers and crew will take part in cultural exchanges with local schools and a charity, and in professional exchanges with the Viet Nam People’s Navy.
Col. Pham Tien Dung, Deputy Chief of Staff of Naval Region 2 Command, and UK Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Alexandra Smith were among those attending the welcoming ceremony.
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| The UK Royal Navy’s offshore patrol vessel HMS Spey docks at Nha Rong – Khanh Hoi International Port. (Photo: VNA) |
Helen Taylor, HMS Spey’s commanding officer, said the visit aims to strengthen UK-Viet Nam ties and marks the first anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Taylor said HMS Spey is one of five Batch 2 River-class offshore patrol vessels in the Royal Navy. It has been permanently deployed in the Indo-Pacific since 2021, boosting the Navy’s regional presence and building strategic partnerships with regional allies, including Viet Nam, reported VNA.
During the October 22-28 stay, the ship’s command team and crew will pay courtesy calls to leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Military Region 7 Command and Naval Region 2 Command. They will also join cultural and sporting exchanges with naval personnel and visit local historical and cultural sites.
Super Typhoon Champi brings strong winds, high waves to East Sea
Super Typhoon Champi is generating powerful winds and waves up to six meters high in the northeastern East Sea, despite forecasts that it will not enter the region.
Super Typhoon Champi began affecting the eastern waters of the northern East Sea on October 22, bringing strong winds, rough seas and hazardous conditions for vessels, according to Viet Nam's National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
Although the storm is forecast to remain outside the East Sea, its extensive circulation is producing dangerous marine conditions across the region.
Waves of up to six meters forecast
From October 22, the eastern waters of the northern East Sea are expected to experience winds of force 6-7 on the Beaufort scale, with gusts reaching force 8-9.
Conditions will be particularly severe in the northeastern waters, where winds are forecast to reach force 8-9, with gusts of force 10-11.
Wave heights are expected to range from three to five meters, rising to four to six meters in the northeastern section.
Winds and waves will predominantly come from the northeast to north, creating very rough seas.
Meanwhile, scattered showers and thunderstorms have been reported in the waters between Vinh Long and Ca Mau and across the southern East Sea, including the Truong Sa (Spratly) Special Zone, VNN repoted.
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| Super Typhoon Champi is not expected to enter the East Sea but is generating strong winds and high waves in its northern waters. Source: VNDMS |
During October 22, scattered thunderstorms are also forecast in waters stretching from Lam Dong to Ca Mau, from Ca Mau to An Giang, the Gulf of Thailand and the southern East Sea.
These thunderstorms could produce waterspouts, sudden wind gusts of force 7-8 and waves exceeding two meters.
Dangerous marine conditions to persist on October 23
The national weather agency warned that strong winds and high waves would continue affecting the eastern waters of the northern East Sea throughout October 23.
Winds are expected to remain at force 6-7, with gusts of force 8-9.
In the northeastern section, winds could reach force 8-9, with gusts of force 10-11.
Wave heights are forecast at three to five meters across the affected waters, reaching four to six meters in the northeast.
The seas are expected to remain extremely rough.
Authorities have assigned a level 2 natural disaster risk warning to the eastern waters of the northern East Sea, rising to level 3 in the northeastern section.
All vessels operating in these areas face a high risk from strong winds and large waves.
Champi forecast to turn toward Japan and South Korea
Despite its impact on marine conditions in the East Sea, Super Typhoon Champi is not expected to enter the region.
According to the latest assessments cited by Viet Nam's national weather agency, forecasting centers in Japan, South Korea, China and the United States have increasingly converged on a similar projected storm track.
Around October 24, Champi is expected to approach waters east of Taiwan, China, weakening to force 10 with gusts reaching force 13.
The storm could then turn northeastward toward Japan and South Korea.
By October 25, as it approaches waters south of Japan and South Korea, Champi is forecast to weaken further to force 8, with gusts reaching force 10.
Although its projected track keeps the storm outside the East Sea, its earlier intensity of force 16-17 and broad circulation mean its western outer bands can still generate powerful winds and dangerous waves across the northern part of the region.
Current meteorological analyses indicate that Champi is the strongest storm recorded in the northwestern Pacific in 2026, surpassing the intensity of Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
Forecasters continue to warn that vessels operating in affected waters remain exposed to hazardous conditions even without a direct passage of the storm through the East Sea.
