Official visit of Xavier Bettel and Lex Delles to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

An economic delegation, made up of representatives of promising sectors of the Luxembourg economy (digital economy, logistics, energy, environment, tourism as well as sustainable and intelligent construction) accompanied the official delegation during its stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

It is worth recalling that Xavier Bettel and Lex Delles made this official visit on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and that the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Phạm Minh Chính, made an official visit to Luxembourg on 9 and 10 December.

3 May 2023

The Luxembourg Prime Minister and the Minister for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Minister for Tourism visited Halong Bay, located in the north-east of Vietnam, 165 km from the capital Hanoi. The area, which covers 43,400 hectares and includes more than 1,600 islands and islets, most of which are uninhabited, has been on the Unesco World Heritage List since 1994.

The delegation then travelled to the port of Haiphong where they visited the state-of-the-art manufacturing plant of Vietnamese car constructor VinFast, a company founded in 2018 and a subsidiary of the Vin Group. During the visit, Xavier Bettel and Lex Delles were briefed on the company's strategy and activities, toured its impressive 100,000m2 automated body shop with 1,200 robots and test-drove its latest electric vehicles.

On their return to Hanoi, the Prime Minister and the Minister for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Minister for Tourism had the opportunity to take a tour of the Old Quarter of Hanoi.

4 May 2023

The second day began with wreath-laying ceremonies at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier and the Mausoleum of President Hô Chi Minh. Here lies the embalmed body of the founder of the Communist Party and symbol of the country's liberation and independence. The wreath-laying ceremony was followed by a visit to Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts on the grounds of the Presidential Palace.

The Prime Minister, Minister of State Xavier Bettel, was then officially welcomed by the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Phạm Minh Chính, at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi.

After the military honours, the playing of the national anthems, the review of the troops and the presentation of the respective delegations, the Head of the Luxembourg Government and his Vietnamese counterpart met with the delegations in the Government House for an extended meeting. The talks focused on bilateral political, economic and financial relations, Vietnam's relations with the European Union and major international political issues.

This was followed by a signing ceremony of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between Vietnam and Luxembourg.

In the early afternoon, Xavier Bettel and Lex Delles, accompanied by Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, visited the Temple of Literature, a rare example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture. The complex also offers a rich and varied insight into the history and culture of Vietnam since the 10th century.

The visit continued at the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts in Hanoi. Built in 1937 and inaugurated in 1963, this museum is dedicated to the art of Vietnamese silk and lacquer painting, as well as Vietnamese painting from the 20th century to the 1970s.

Xavier Bettel was then welcomed by the President of the National Assembly of Vietnam, Vương Đình Huệ, for an interview at the headquarters of the National Assembly, in the presence of Minister Lex Delles.

The programme also included an exchange with former Vietnamese students or scholarship holders who have studied in Luxembourg in the fields of tourism or banking.

The day ended with a banquet at the Government House hosted by the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Phạm Minh Chín, in honour of the Prime Minister, Minister of State, Xavier Bettel, and the Minister for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Minister of Tourism, Lex Delles. 

5 May 2023

In Ho Chi Minh City, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel attended a "Ring the Bell" ceremony at the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.

The "Vietnam-Luxembourg Business Forum" and thematic workshops, organised by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Luxembourg Embassy in Vietnam, were the focus of the third day of the official visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

A delegation of 24 Luxembourg companies took part in this economic forum, which provided an excellent opportunity to identify areas for cooperation, particularly in promising sectors such as the digital economy, logistics, energy and the environment, tourism and sustainable and intelligent construction in the context of green financing. Keynote speeches were given by the Prime Minister, Minister of State, Xavier Bettel, the Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, Nguyen Hong Dien, and the Minister for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Minister for Tourism, Les Delles.

The ministers then had the opportunity to meet wrepresentatives of Luxembourg and Vietnamese companies.

In the afternoon, Lex Delles visited  Indo Trans Logistics (ITL), the region's leading provider of integrated logistics, air services, warehousing, freight management and distribution solutions. He visited the port to receive an introduction to ITL's industrial and freight activities.

For his part, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel visited the Bến Thành market, located in one of the oldest structures in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as the War Remnants Museum dedicated to the Indochina War and the Vietnam War.

During a boat trip on the Saigon River, the head of the Luxembourg government discussed with a group of experts the impact of climate change on livelihoods, the ecosystem and the city of Ho Chi Minh.

The official visit ended with a meeting with the Ho Chi Minh City authorities followed by a dinner hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City authorities in honour of the Prime Minister of State, Xavier Bettel, and the Minister for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Minister of Tourism, Lex Delles, at the Independence Palace.

Press release by the Ministry of State, the General Directorate Tourism and the General Directorate for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises