In a significant move to bolster their bilateral ties, Vietnam and the Netherlands conducted their second deputy minister-level political consultation in Hanoi, underscoring a shared commitment to enhancing cooperation across diverse sectors. The meeting, co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Lê Thị Thu Hằng and her Dutch counterpart, Marcel de Vink, provided a platform to assess the progress in their diplomatic relations and celebrate the ongoing expansion in economic partnerships and international collaboration.
Vietnam reiterated its ambitious development targets, aiming to become an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income developed nation by 2045. Key to these goals are science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, which Vietnam sees as essential drivers of sustainable economic growth. The Vietnamese delegation pushed for deeper implementation of the Comprehensive Partnership and existing strategic cooperation frameworks between the two nations, seeking enhanced collaboration in areas like trade, investment, sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, and green transition.
Further emphasizing its economic aspirations, Vietnam called for support in ratifying the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement and sought the lifting of seafood export restrictions. The Netherlands, recognizing Vietnam as a vital and reliable partner in the Asia-Pacific, expressed its eagerness to strengthen bilateral ties. Dutch officials showed interest in expanding their business presence in Vietnam, particularly in high-tech industries such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and scientific research, alongside workforce development initiatives.
Both nations agreed to intensify cooperation in security, defense, justice, culture, tourism, as well as fostering people-to-people exchanges. They also emphasized the importance of creating stronger connections between local governments and businesses. On the global stage, Vietnam and the Netherlands reiterated their support for multilateralism and free trade, advocating for the peaceful resolution of disputes in line with international law. They highlighted the critical need to maintain peace, stability, and freedom of navigation, notably under the guidelines of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.