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 Opens in new windowhub.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 Opens in new windowUnited Nations International School of Hanoi (UNIS Hanoi).
The Sustainable Development Goals of the Opens in new windowUnited 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 Opens in new windowSweco/Boydens, Brussels-based Opens in new windowNey & Partners as well as Opens in new windowOmgeving and Opens in new windowVan Aelst, Nguyen & Partners. The event was organised in collaboration with Opens in new windowFlanders Investment and Trade (FIT) and Opens in new windowhub.brussels.
Close cultural ties
That same evening, a cultural exchange financed by Opens in new windowBrussels 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 DÆ°Æ¡ng.
Finally, Rudi Vervoort, Minister-President of the BCR, also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on culture with Nguyá»…n Văn HÆ°ng, the Vietnamese Minister of Culture, in the presence of His Majesty King Philippe and H.E. LÆ°Æ¡ng CÆ°á»ng, President of Vietnam.
Cooperation on renewable energy
On 1 April 2025, Geoffroy Clerckx, Director of Public Relations, Communications and Protocol at Brussels International, visited Opens in new windowPetrovietnam, 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 Opens in new windowElia Grid International, represented by its CEO Didier Wiot, and Opens in new windowSyensqo, represented by its Chief Asia Officer Pu Chen, took part in this highly productive meeting, which augurs well for future partnerships.
Sustainable development and innovation
At the same time, Opens in new windowhub.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 Opens in new windowSyensqo presented its expertise in clean energy, smart grids and sustainable technologies.
Afterwards, the Minister-President of the BCR also visited the Opens in new windowVinFast 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.
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 Opens in new windowHaemers Technologies. This Brussels-based company, with the support of Opens in new windowhub.brussels, is deploying its pioneering thermal desorption technology in Bien Hoa, where its efficiency and innovation are widely recognised.
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.