On the morning of October 19 local time, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President To Lam, his wife Ngo Phuong Ly and a high-level Vietnamese delegation arrived at Copenhagen International Airport. The state visit to Denmark runs from October 19 to 21 at the invitation of King Frederik X and Queen Mary.
King Frederik X and Queen Mary held an official welcome ceremony. To Lam and Ngo Phuong Ly later joined the King and Queen in laying a wreath at the Heroes Memorial at Copenhagen’s Kastellet fortress. The memorial honors people who have taken part in international missions since 1948.
To Lam receives Denmark’s highest order
During the visit, King Frederik X presented To Lam with the Order of the Elephant, Denmark’s highest order for members of royal families and foreign heads of state.
To Lam said he dedicated the honor to the Vietnamese people, generations of Vietnamese and Danish people who built the foundation of friendship over 55 years, and people in both countries who continue to develop bilateral ties.
The visit and award take place in the year marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The countries moved from a traditional development partnership to a comprehensive partnership in 2013 and a Green Strategic Partnership in 2023.
Vietnam and Denmark seek deeper cooperation
Later that day in Copenhagen, To Lam and Ngo Phuong Ly met King Frederik X and Queen Mary. The King noted the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations and recalled his visits to Vietnam in 2009, 2011 and 2022, as well as the late Prince Consort Henrik’s ties to Hanoi.
To Lam thanked the Danish royal family for the welcome and conveyed greetings from Vietnam’s leaders. He praised Denmark’s development and its work in green development, innovation and social protection.
The Vietnamese leader said Vietnam attaches importance to Denmark and values its support since diplomatic ties were established in 1971. The sides welcomed the growth of trade, investment and the operations of LEGO, Pandora and Carlsberg in Vietnam.
To Lam highlighted Frederik X’s contribution to bilateral relations and asked him to continue supporting cooperation and investment by Danish companies in Vietnam. The sides also noted the royal family’s role in cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties. To Lam invited the King and Queen to visit Vietnam.
Parliamentary cooperation
At a meeting with Danish Parliament Speaker Henrik Frandsen, To Lam said Vietnam regards Denmark as an important and reliable partner in Northern Europe and the European Union.
The sides noted the parliaments’ contribution to political trust, the legal foundation and cooperation in the economy, trade, investment and people-to-people contacts. To Lam proposed expanding cooperation in the green transition, renewable energy, science, technology, the digital and circular economies, education and human resources.
They agreed to maintain delegation exchanges, strengthen cooperation among committees and lawmakers, including women and young parliamentarians, and coordinate at multilateral parliamentary forums.
The leaders stressed respect for the UN Charter, states’ independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and peaceful settlement of disputes under international law. On the South China Sea, To Lam called on Denmark to support the ASEAN position on peace, security and freedom of navigation and overflight, and peaceful settlement under international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Later that day, To Lam delivered a policy speech at the University of Copenhagen. He said Vietnam pays particular attention to Denmark’s experience with social trust, transparent public administration and stable policies.
To Lam said 55 years of relations had produced two lessons: trust built through history provides a foundation for a new stage, while cooperation must change with the times. He proposed elevating the Green Strategic Partnership to a more strategic and comprehensive framework, with stronger ties in science, technology, the green transition, education and people-to-people exchanges.
To Lam also described the Vietnamese community in Denmark, including experts, scientists, businesspeople and students, as a bridge for cooperation and links between younger generations in the two countries.
Sources: Thanh Niên
