Vietnam and the Netherlands have reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors during their second deputy minister-level political consultation in Hanoi. Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Lê Thị Thu Hằng and Dutch Deputy Foreign Minister Marcel de Vink jointly chaired the meeting, where both nations assessed the advancements in their bilateral relations. They celebrated ongoing growth in diplomatic exchanges, economic collaboration, and their joint efforts at regional and international forums.
Vietnam emphasized its ambitious development goals, aiming to become an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income, developed nation by 2045. To reach these milestones, the country plans to prioritize science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation as core components of sustainable growth. The Vietnamese delegation called for a deeper implementation of the Comprehensive Partnership and existing strategic cooperation frameworks, advocating for enhanced collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, green transition, digital transformation, and innovation.
The Vietnamese representatives also sought support from the Netherlands for the ratification of the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement and the removal of trade barriers affecting seafood exports. In response, the Netherlands reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties with Vietnam, acknowledging the country as a key and reliable partner in the Asia-Pacific region. Dutch officials expressed their interest in sending larger business delegations to Vietnam and expanding cooperation in high-tech industries, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, scientific research, and workforce development.
Furthermore, both countries agreed to bolster cooperation in security, defense, justice, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. They also encouraged closer connections between local governments and businesses. On the international stage, the two sides reiterated their support for multilateralism, free trade, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in line with international law. They stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and freedom of navigation and overflight, especially within the context of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.