On the afternoon of October 22 local time, To Lam and a high-level Vietnamese delegation visited the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is Europe's second-largest port and an important hub for international trade and industry. To Lam said Belgium and Flanders have been Vietnam's friends and partners for many years, with effective cooperation in maritime affairs, ports, waterways and logistics.
Flanders' experience in port development, multimodal transport, logistics, digital and green transformation, and workforce development is valuable to Vietnam, which wants to continue learning from and exchanging experience with the region.
To Lam said cooperation between Vietnam and Flanders in maritime affairs and waterways has developed over several decades, based on the 1995 Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation and other documents signed by both sides. Training programmes, professional exchanges and experience-sharing activities link agencies, experts and businesses from Vietnam and Flanders.
Vietnam's Ministry of Construction and the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration help maintain and promote this cooperation. They organise annual training for Vietnamese officials and take part in exchanges, seminars and experience-sharing on ports, logistics, green ports and sustainable transport. These activities build professional capacity, understanding and trust.
To Lam said these cooperation results are a valuable asset of Vietnam-Flanders relations and should continue to be developed.
Vietnam is accelerating the development of coordinated, modern infrastructure. Seaports and logistics support the marine economy, trade and national competitiveness.
Transport infrastructure as a link for trade and cooperation
To Lam said Vietnam aims to build modern, green and smart ports, strengthen links with inland waterways, railways and other transport modes, and improve connections to global supply chains and trade networks. Vietnam wants deeper cooperation with Belgium and Flanders through specific programmes and projects that benefit both sides.
Stronger transport links would give Vietnamese goods better access to Belgium and European markets. At the same time, goods, technology, services and investment opportunities from Europe could reach Vietnam more easily.
To Lam called on both sides to use existing cooperation frameworks effectively and study new, specific long-term programmes.
The sides could focus on port planning and management, links between seaports, waterways and railways, logistics and supply chains, digital transformation, green ports, emissions reduction, training and workforce development.
Agencies, businesses and educational institutions from both sides should meet and exchange more often, understand each other better and seek concrete cooperation opportunities. These connections will provide a lasting basis for long-term cooperation.
Vietnam-Belgium relations have been built on friendship, trust and mutually beneficial cooperation. Flanders and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges are important partners, especially in maritime affairs, ports and logistics.
To Lam said Vietnam, Belgium and Flanders can begin a new stage of deeper, more practical and more effective cooperation.
Vietnam will remain a trusted friend and active partner of Belgium and Flanders, strengthening connections, expanding trade and deepening cooperation that contributes to both countries' development and prosperity and to Vietnam-EU relations.
During the visit, To Lam and the Vietnamese delegation witnessed the signing of a framework agreement on comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC) and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. The agreement creates a basis for cooperation in maritime affairs, ports and logistics and strengthens trade links between Vietnam, Belgium and Europe.
Later that day, To Lam and the delegation visited the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, the largest and oldest art museum in Flanders. Its collection spans seven centuries of art history, from the Middle Ages and Renaissance to the 20th century. The delegation also attended a reception hosted by Antwerp Governor Cathy Berx.
Sources: Thanh Niên
