Vietnam and the Netherlands have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation across various sectors during their second deputy minister-level political consultation held in Hanoi. This meeting was jointly chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Lê Thị Thu Hằng and her Dutch counterpart, Marcel de Vink. Both officials reviewed advancements in their bilateral relationship, noting the positive progression in diplomatic exchanges, economic partnerships, and collaborative efforts within regional and international forums.
Vietnam outlined its ambitious development goals, aiming to become an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a developed, high-income nation by 2045. To reach these milestones, the country plans to harness science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation as primary engines of sustainable growth. The Vietnamese representatives urged for a more robust implementation of the Comprehensive Partnership and existing strategic cooperation frameworks between the two nations. They also encouraged enhanced collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, and digital innovation.
In addition, Vietnam sought support for the ratification of the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement and called for the removal of trade restrictions affecting seafood exports. The Netherlands, in turn, emphasized its commitment to strengthening ties with Vietnam, recognizing the country as a vital and reliable partner in the Asia-Pacific region. Dutch officials expressed eagerness to send larger business delegations to Vietnam and to expand cooperation in sectors like high technology, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, scientific research, and workforce development.
Both countries agreed to bolster cooperation in security, defense, justice, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. They also promoted closer connections between local governments and businesses. On broader regional and global issues, the two nations reiterated their support for multilateralism, free trade, and the peaceful resolution of disputes based on international law. They underscored the necessity of maintaining peace, stability, and freedom of navigation and overflight, especially under the framework of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.