General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, his spouse and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation will visit Denmark from October 19 to 24, along with official visits to the European Union and Belgium. In Denmark, he will travel at the invitation of King Frederik X and Queen Mary.
Denmark is the first stop on the itinerary. It is the first state visit to Denmark by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee. The visit takes place in 2026, when the two countries mark 55 years of diplomatic relations, established on November 25, 1971.
55 years of political and diplomatic ties
Denmark was among the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam on November 25, 1971. Over 55 years, ties have broadened across many fields while the two sides have maintained warm relations.
The countries established a strategic partnership on climate change, energy, the environment and green growth in November 2011. They upgraded it to a comprehensive partnership in September 2013 and a Green Strategic Partnership in November 2023. The two sides are now implementing the partnership’s action programme.
Vietnam and Denmark have maintained high-level delegation exchanges. Notable contacts included Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik’s state visit to Vietnam in November 2009, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary Elizabeth’s visit in November 2022, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan’s official visit to Denmark in November 2023, and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha’s working visit in November 2024.
At multilateral forums, the two countries support each other at the United Nations and its agencies, the Asia-Europe Meeting, ASEAN-EU cooperation mechanisms and the P4G partnership.
Implementing the Green Strategic Partnership
Within the European Union, Denmark is one of Vietnam’s leading trading partners. Denmark views Vietnam as an important partner, one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic developing economies and a significant destination for Danish investment in the region.
According to Vietnam Customs, bilateral trade reached 720.9 million USD in 2025 and 672.5 million USD in the first nine months of 2026.
After taking effect on August 1, 2020, the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement expanded business opportunities between the two countries and strengthened trade flows. Denmark ratified the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement in November 2021.
More than 150 Danish companies now operate in Vietnam, with 174 active projects and total registered investment exceeding 2 billion USD. Denmark ranks 21st among 153 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Danish projects, particularly in seaports, maritime transport, logistics and green industry, show practical results of bilateral cooperation.
Throughout the 55 years of diplomatic relations, Denmark has remained an important partner for Vietnam in the energy transition, green growth and sustainable development. The countries have promoted initiatives on green transition and the circular economy.
Leading Danish companies have expanded investment in Vietnam through large-scale projects using environmentally friendly technologies. Recent joint initiatives include the Green Hero Solution project, which promotes a circular model for climate-resilient agriculture and food systems, and the “Da Nang–Copenhagen: A Green Journey Along the Han River” event.
Progress in the Green Strategic Partnership reflects Vietnam and Denmark’s cooperation on climate change and environmental challenges.
New areas of cooperation
The state visit is expected to give the leaders of both countries an opportunity to set strategic directions for their relationship in a new phase and expand cooperation with Denmark as a Northern European partner.
Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang said the visit is the first state visit to Denmark by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee. She said it follows the successful 14th National Party Congress and elections to the 16th National Assembly.
She said the visit would convey a strong message about Vietnam’s foreign policy in a new period of development and expand opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, innovation, green growth and sustainable development.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Denmark Nguyen Le Thanh called the visit an important historic milestone and said it would give fresh impetus to cooperation in the economy, trade, investment, science, technology and innovation.
Vietnam is moving towards a growth model based on science, technology, innovation and digital transformation while promoting green transition and sustainable development. Denmark has considerable strengths in these areas.
The ambassador said there is potential to expand cooperation in investment, technology research and development, skilled human resources training, and the creation of new products and solutions.
She said the visit is also important for coordination between Vietnam and Denmark on regional and international issues. The countries support a peaceful, stable and developing world based on respect for the UN Charter and international law, multilateralism and international cooperation.
Danish Ambassador to Vietnam Lina Gandløse Hansen said the visit would open a new chapter in the partnership. The two sides are expected to discuss trade and investment, green solutions, energy, innovation, education, sustainable food, culture, and bilateral and international cooperation.
She said the two countries’ strong friendship and shared development plans, especially in the green, marine and circular economies, create opportunities to cooperate on renewable energy, offshore wind power and green infrastructure.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
