A historic state visit to Vietnam

In early April 2025, a delegation of the Brussels-Capital Region joined Belgium’s king and queen on their state visit to Vietnam.

From 30 March until 4 April 2025, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde visited Vietnam, with a large Belgian delegation travelling in their wake. This historic state visit marked an important step in the strengthening of bilateral relations between Belgium and Vietnam. The Brussels-Capital Region (BCR), represented by Brussels International and hub.brussels, also travelled to the Southeast Asian country.

Sustainable in construction and learning

For Rudi Vervoort, the Minister-President of the BCR, the state visit kicked off on 31 March with a visit to the United Nations International School of Hanoi (UNIS Hanoi).

The Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations are embedded in day-to-day learning while sustainable design solutions have been incorporated into its architecture. The visit also offered an opportunity to highlight projects by Belgian experts in sustainable design, including Sweco/Boydens, Brussels-based Ney & Partners as well as Omgeving and Van Aelst, Nguyen & Partners. The event was organised in collaboration with Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT) and hub.brussels.

A guide gives an explanation to delegation members during their visit to the school. — Besides exploring the UNIS Hanoi campus and its ecological infrastructure, the Brussels delegation also met with teachers and had the opportunity to sit in on a class to analyse the impact of sustainable design on children’s learning.

Close cultural ties

That same evening, a cultural exchange financed by Brussels International took place in Hanoi. Entitled ‘Moving as One: Belgium and Vietnam United by Wellness and Harmony’, it highlighted the close ties between the BCR and Vietnam with a Thủy Pháp demonstration.

This traditional Vietnamese martial art is characterised by gentle, flowing and continuous movements, reminiscent of water. It is also practiced and taught in the Brussels-Capital Region by Master Huỳnh Chiêu Dương.

Martial arts practitioners demonstrating their skills on a mat outdoors — That evening, guests were also treated to a showcase of other martial arts by Vietnamese practitioners, as well as demonstrations by Vietnamese and Belgian artists.

The Brussels delegation and martial arts practitioners stand and kneel in front of the temple. — Group photo at Hanoi’s famous Temple of Literature

Finally, Rudi Vervoort, Minister-President of the BCR, also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on culture with Nguyễn Văn Hưng, the Vietnamese Minister of Culture, in the presence of His Majesty King Philippe and H.E. Lương Cường, President of Vietnam.

H.M. King Philippe, H.E. Lương Cường, President of Vietnam, Rudi Vervoort, Minister-President of the BCR and Nguyễn Văn Hưng, Vietnamese Minister of Culture, pose in front of Belgian and Vietnamese flags. — The agreement signed in Hanoi will strengthen cooperation between the cultural and creative industries of Brussels and Vietnam.

Cooperation on renewable energy

On 1 April 2025, Geoffroy Clerckx, Director of Public Relations, Communications and Protocol at Brussels International, visited Petrovietnam, the state-owned energy company.

The meeting focused on cooperation in the field of renewable energy. Geoffroy Clerckx highlighted the key role of offshore wind energy and the conversion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in energy projects to achieve climate neutrality.

Belgium has a wealth of experience in this field and is happy to share it with Vietnam, whose 3,000-km coastline presents tremendous potential for offshore wind development. Brussels-based companies Elia Grid International, represented by its CEO Didier Wiot, and Syensqo, represented by its Chief Asia Officer Pu Chen, took part in this highly productive meeting, which augurs well for future partnerships.

The protagonists in conversation, seated in armchairs. — Exchange between Lê Mạnh Cường, Deputy General Director of Petrovietnam, and Geoffroy Clerckx, Director of Public Relations, Communications and Protocol at Brussels International

Sustainable development and innovation

At the same time, hub.brussels hosted a seminar on sustainable development in Hanoi. The workshops covered three topics: sustainable urban solutions, the energy transition, and waste management and recycling. Brussels-based company Syensqo presented its expertise in clean energy, smart grids and sustainable technologies.

Afterwards, the Minister-President of the BCR also visited the VinFast plant in Hài Phòng. He praised the harmonious growth of its parent company Vingroup, which is a major economic player in Vietnam but also actively participates in humanitarian and social projects.

A group of Vietnamese and Belgians visitors on a factory staircase — During a tour of the plant, Rudi Vervoort, Minister-President of the BCR, was impressed by the quality of VinFast cars and their potential on the European market.

Agent Orange soil cleanup

Although the Vietnam War ended 50 years ago and much progress has been made since, as highlighted during this state visit, the battle with Agent Orange (the herbicide used by the Americans to clear vegetation in the territories occupied by the Viet Cong rebels) continues unabated.

Since 2023, Belgium has committed to supporting the victims of Agent Orange by helping to clean up contaminated soil, relying among others on the expertise of Haemers Technologies. This Brussels-based company, with the support of hub.brussels, is deploying its pioneering thermal desorption technology in Bien Hoa, where its efficiency and innovation are widely recognised.

Queen Mathilde and King Philippe listen to explanations given by a third party. — King Philippe and Queen Mathilde listen to an explanation about Agent Orange soil cleanup efforts.

The protagonists stand and shake hands. — Rudi Vervoort, Minister-President of the BCR, presents a sample of decontaminated soil to Lam Ngo Hoang Anh, Deputy Director of the Vietnam War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh.

With its rich and varied programme, this state visit made a significant contribution to strengthening the ties between Belgium and Vietnam. The Brussels-Capital Region has played a key role during the visit, promoting cultural exchanges and sustainable cooperation projects. Many of these activities also paved the way for future mutually beneficial partnerships.