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In the early morning of March 31, 2025, Hanoi had the honor of welcoming King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Kingdom of Belgium, beginning their State visit to Vietnam which will last until April 4, 2025. The visit, held at the cordial invitation of President Luong Cuong and his wife, marks a significant milestone in the history of diplomatic relations between the two countries after more than half a century of establishing friendly ties.
This is not the first time King Philippe and Queen Mathilde have set foot in the beautiful S-shaped country of Vietnam. The King has made memorable visits in 1993, 2003, and 2012 as Crown Prince, fostering deep affection and positive impressions of Vietnam's landscapes and people's hospitality. Queen Mathilde also visited Vietnam in 2012 as a Belgian Princess with Crown Prince Philippe, and later in 2023 as Honorary President of UNICEF Belgium, demonstrating her special interest in Vietnam and its people, especially children.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang emphasized that this state visit holds special significance, being the highest-level visit from Belgium in over 50 years of diplomatic relations. Taking place as Vietnam enters a new phase of development, this visit is expected to be a historic milestone, elevating bilateral relations to a new level with deeper political trust and more substantive and effective cooperation in many fields.
During their time in Vietnam, the King and Queen of Belgium engaged in meaningful activities, exploring the unique culture and history of the country.
April 1st in Hanoi
Mrs. Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet, wife of the President of Vietnam, accompanied Queen Mathilde to visit the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Area within the Presidential Palace grounds. There, the Queen expressed her respect for the great leader of the Vietnamese nation by touring the President's simple yet meaningful workplace and living quarters. The two First Ladies strolled along the tree-lined Mango Lane, admiring precious historical images of President Ho Chi Minh, and particularly enjoyed feeding the fish in President Ho Chi Minh's fish pond, a familiar and heartwarming sight within the Presidential Palace grounds.
The wife of the President of Vietnam, Luong Cuong, presented Queen Mathilde of Belgium with a painting of President Ho Chi Minh's stilt house.
Also on the morning of April 1st, President Luong Cuong and his wife, along with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, visited Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site. There, the distinguished guests admired the majestic Doan Mon Gate, explored archaeological pits revealing layers of historical sediment, and gazed upon the exquisite stone dragon steps of the Kinh Thien Palace, a testament to the architectural genius of our ancestors.
President Luong Cuong and his wife, along with King Philippe and Queen of Belgium, pose for a commemorative photo at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel historical site.
Representatives from the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center vividly introduced the complex of historical relics associated with the history of Thang Long - Hanoi, spanning thousands of years of civilization. The Thang Long Imperial Citadel, once the center of power for the Ly, Tran, Early Le, Mac, and Later Le dynasties, is a symbol of Dai Viet's history and culture. The President and his wife, along with distinguished guests, listened to historical stories, admired the preserved artifacts, and deeply felt the pride in a Thang Long - Hanoi with a thousand years of civilization. The delegation also paid special attention to Doan Mon Gate, a structure dating back to the Ly dynasty, which held an important position in the ceremonies of the Imperial Citadel with its unique U-shaped architecture and five arches, the central arch reserved for the king.
Earlier that morning, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde solemnly laid a wreath at the Monument to the Heroes and Martyrs, expressing their profound gratitude to the outstanding sons and daughters of the Vietnamese nation who sacrificed their lives for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland. Following this, the delegation also laid a wreath and paid respects at the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh, demonstrating their reverence for the beloved leader of the Vietnamese people.
Later that afternoon, the King and Queen of Belgium had a delightful and authentic Hanoi experience visiting a recycled-themed egg coffee shop in the Old Quarter. Hidden Gem Coffee on Hang Tre Street had the honor of welcoming these two special guests in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The café owner shared that the event had been prepared for a week in advance, and although security personnel conducted thorough checks, no barriers were erected, aiming to provide the King and Queen with the most genuine and normal experience possible. Queen Mathilde impressed by wearing a traditional Vietnamese ao dai. Both distinguished guests chose Hanoi's signature egg coffee, without any special requests, and listened attentively as staff shared information about this unique drink and the café's eco-friendly model. The coffee tasting lasted about 20 minutes, and a notable moment was when the King of Belgium affectionately clinked glasses with the Queen.
King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde enjoyed some moments experiencing the culture of Vietnam's capital.
On April 2nd in Quang Ninh and Hai Phong
On April 2nd, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, along with their delegation, visited and worked in Quang Ninh province. Mr. Vu Dai Thang, Secretary of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee, presided over the meeting with the delegation. The visit to Quang Ninh, one of the locations chosen by the King and Queen alongside their official activities in Hanoi, affirmed the province's position and prestige. The participation of dozens of representatives from leading Belgian corporations and businesses also demonstrated that Quang Ninh is an attractive destination for investors from Belgium and the European Union. During the meeting, Secretary Vu Dai Thang introduced the province's potential, strengths, and socio-economic development achievements, while affirming that Quang Ninh always values and desires to promote extensive cooperation with Belgian partners, especially in areas where Belgium has strengths.
Also on April 2nd, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde visited Hai Phong city. There, the King and Queen enjoyed a pleasant experience riding the Cat Hai cable car, admiring the panoramic beauty of the vibrant port city. King Philippe expressed his joy and pride that Belgian companies such as Deep C and many others are investing and developing in Hai Phong, contributing to the city's economic development. Through this visit, the King hopes to further promote cooperation between Belgium and Hai Phong, while also attracting more attention from the Belgian business community, conveying the message that Vietnam, and especially Hai Phong, is a promising gateway to the Southeast Asian market.
Evening of April 2nd - April 4th in Ho Chi Minh City
On the evening of April 2nd, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, continuing their visit and working program in this vibrant city from April 2nd to 4th. The King is expected to meet with Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, Nguyen Van Nen. In addition, the King and Queen will attend many important events and visit sites connected to the culture and history of Ho Chi Minh City, promising memorable moments and a deeper understanding of Vietnam and its people.
Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Dung presents flowers to King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.
The State visit of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde to Vietnam was not only an important diplomatic event, but also an opportunity for the two countries to enhance mutual understanding, strengthen traditional friendship, and open up new opportunities for cooperation in many fields, contributing to the prosperity of both Belgium and Vietnam. The moments when the King and Queen experienced the unique cultural aspects of Vietnam, such as visiting historical sites and enjoying egg coffee in the Old Quarter, left a deep impression and further enhanced Vietnam's image in the eyes of the international community.
