Vietnam-Denmark ties poised for new momentum after 55 years

The Ambassador made the statement in an interview granted to VOV ahead of the top leader To Lam’s state visit to the Kingdom of Denmark from October 19 to 21 at the invitation of King Frederik X of Denmark and the Queen,

The visit comes as Vietnam and Denmark mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026, against a backdrop of increasingly close, substantive and wide-ranging cooperation. It will be the first state visit to Denmark by a Vietnamese Party General Secretary and the only state visit Denmark will host this year, Ambassador Thanh said.

State visit to elevate bilateral ties

The ambassador described the visit as a milestone reflecting the strategic vision, political commitment and mutual trust of the two countries’ leaders. It is expected to provide fresh impetus for taking bilateral relations to a new level, while giving the two sides an opportunity to discuss strategic directions for expanding cooperation in trade, investment, energy, high-quality human resource development, science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and green growth.

As countries with important geostrategic positions, Vietnam and Denmark share a vision of a peaceful, stable and cooperative world based on respect for the UN Charter and international law, the ambassador noted. Both countries attach importance to multilateralism, international cooperation and joint efforts to address common challenges.

The visit will therefore also provide an opportunity for the two sides to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, strengthen coordination in multilateral forums and contribute to peace, stability and sustainable development in their respective regions and beyond.

Over the past 55 years, relations have evolved from traditional development cooperation into an increasingly comprehensive, equal and mutually beneficial partnership. Political and diplomatic ties remain a firm foundation, with exchanges and contacts at senior and other levels helping build understanding, strengthen trust and promote coordination in both bilateral and multilateral settings.

A major milestone came in November 2023, when the two countries established the Green Strategic Partnership, following the elevation of their relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership in 2013. The new framework has made green transition a prominent focus of bilateral cooperation, with both sides working to implement its action programme.

Vietnam has also assumed a growing role in Denmark’s efforts to strengthen ties with the Indo-Pacific. In its 2023 Foreign and Security Policy Strategy, Denmark identified Vietnam as one of its priority partners for expanding and upgrading relations in the region. This reflects Copenhagen’s view of Vietnam not only as a promising growth market but also as an important partner in economic cooperation, green transition and sustainable development.

Trade, investment and green cooperation gather pace

Economic, trade and investment cooperation has become an important driver of bilateral relations. Despite volatility in global trade, two-way trade continued to grow, increasing by nearly 38% in the first eight months of 2026 compared with the same period last year. Vietnamese exports to Denmark rose by around 28%.

As of the end of July 2026, Denmark had 179 valid investment projects in Vietnam, with total registered capital of nearly US$2.5 billion, ranking 21st among 153 countries and territories investing in the country.

The quality and direction of Danish investment are also significant. Major Danish companies, including LEGO, Maersk, Pandora, Vestas and Novo Nordisk, have established or expanded their operations in Vietnam across manufacturing, logistics and seaports, energy, pharmaceuticals, green technology and other high-value-added industries.

Cooperation is also extending into emerging fields such as health care, life sciences, innovation, digitalisation and technology. These developments reflect the complementary strengths of the two economies and the growing opportunities for businesses on both sides.

Green transition stands out as a distinctive area of cooperation. Vietnam offers a dynamic economy, a market of more than 100 million people and considerable potential in renewable energy, science and technology, innovation and international supply chains. Denmark, meanwhile, brings expertise in clean energy technologies, environmental solutions, sustainable food production and the circular economy.

These complementary strengths create opportunities for investment, closer business links and the development of sustainable value chains that benefit both countries.

Connectivity is also improving. The launch of Vietnam Airlines’ first direct service between Ho Chi Minh City and Copenhagen in December 2025 has shortened the distance between the two countries and opened up further opportunities for trade, investment, tourism, business links and people-to-people exchanges.

With the foundations built over 55 years and growing alignment between Vietnam’s development needs and Denmark’s strengths, the two countries have considerable room to expand cooperation in the years ahead.

Science, clean energy and healthcare offer new opportunities

Looking ahead, the ambassador saw strong prospects for cooperation in science and technology, innovation, energy transition and sustainable development. Denmark has advanced capabilities in renewable energy, life sciences, green technology, maritime industries and automation. Vietnam, for its part, offers a dynamic economy, a large market and workforce, growing manufacturing and innovation capabilities, and an important position in regional production and supply chains.

Vietnam is shifting towards a growth model driven by science, technology, innovation and digital transformation in line with the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57, while prioritising the development and gradual mastery of strategic technologies. Combining the strengths and development priorities of the two countries could support joint research, technology development and application, new products and solutions, wider market access and deeper participation in global value chains.

Green energy is one area where cooperation already has a solid foundation. The two countries have worked together on energy transition since 2013. Under the Vietnam-Denmark Energy Partnership Programme for 2026–2030, cooperation continues to focus on long-term energy planning, renewable energy integration, energy efficiency and the sharing of experience in policies and mechanisms for offshore wind power.

Building on this work, the two sides have opportunities to move beyond policy and planning towards investment in renewable energy projects, related technologies and supply chains. Greater participation by businesses from both countries in research, manufacturing, equipment supply and services could also help develop green industries and energy markets.

Science, technology and innovation could become another driver of bilateral growth. Vietnam is prioritising strategic technologies, including digital technologies, artificial intelligence, robotics and automation, biotechnology and advanced biomedicine, areas in which Denmark also has considerable capabilities.

The ambassador highlighted stronger links among businesses, universities and research institutes as an important next step. Joint research, technology development, high-quality workforce training, testing, application and commercialisation of research outcomes would enable both countries to strengthen innovation capacity and develop competitive products and solutions for domestic and international markets.

Healthcare, life sciences and biotechnology also offer practical opportunities. Denmark has a well-developed pharmaceutical industry and a strong life sciences ecosystem connecting universities, hospitals, research institutes and businesses. Vietnam has a large healthcare market, an extensive network of hospitals, universities and research facilities, and a growing community of medical experts and scientists.

By combining their research capabilities, human resources and practical experience, the two countries could pursue joint projects in smart hospitals, digital healthcare, biotechnology, precision medicine and advanced healthcare solutions, helping improve care quality while creating opportunities to develop and apply new medical technologies.

To advance this agenda, the Vietnamese Embassy in Denmark will work alongside Aalborg University Hospital to organise a conference on smart hospitals, digital healthcare and biomedical innovation in Denmark on October 28–29. The event aims to strengthen links among hospitals, universities, research institutions and businesses from both countries and promote cooperation in research, development and the application of advanced medical technologies.

Maritime transport, logistics and green supply chains are also promising areas. Denmark’s strengths in shipping, logistics and sustainable technologies complement Vietnam’s geoeconomic position, seaport system, manufacturing capacity and growing role in regional supply chains. Closer business links and cooperation in infrastructure, logistics services and sustainable value chains could help improve competitiveness and resilience amid global economic changes.

With a foundation of political trust, complementary economic strengths and commitment from both sides, Vietnam and Denmark are well placed to deepen cooperation and create new sources of growth. The upcoming state visit is expected to give further momentum to a relationship that is becoming increasingly substantive, far-reaching and sustainable, the ambassador concluded.

Top leader To Lam to visit Denmark, EU, and Belgium

VOV.VN - General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam To Lam, alongside his spouse and a high-level Vietnamese delegation, will pay a state visit to the Kingdom of Denmark.