On the afternoon of June 19, 2026, at the City Convention and Performance Center, Mr. Do Thanh Trung, Chairman of the Hai Phong City People's Committee, held a formal reception for H.E. Mr. Karl Van den Bossche, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Belgium to Vietnam, who came to pay a farewell visit before concluding his diplomatic mission in the country. The meeting served as both a reflection on a highly successful tenure and an opportunity to reaffirm the enduring strategic partnership between the Belgian Kingdom and the port city of Hai Phong.
Accompanying the Ambassador were Ms. Eve Devoldere, Trade and Investment Counselor from the Flanders Investment and Trade Office; Mr. Bruno Jaspaert, CEO of the DEEP C Industrial Zones and Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EUROCHAM); and Ms. Diep Thi Kim Hoan, Sustainable Development Director of the DEEP C Industrial Zones. On the city’s side, the Chairman was joined by leaders from the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Finance, the Hai Phong Economic Zone Authority, and the City People's Committee Office.
A Legacy of Diplomatic and Strategic Excellence
During the reception, Chairman Do Thanh Trung expressed his deep appreciation for Ambassador Karl Van den Bossche’s dedicated efforts throughout his term, which officially concludes in July 2026. The Chairman noted that the Ambassador has been a tireless bridge, elevating the relationship between Belgium and Vietnam—and Hai Phong specifically—to new heights of efficiency and mutual trust.
A defining moment of the Ambassador’s tenure was the successful coordination of the official visit of the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Belgium to Hai Phong in 2025. This high-level exchange, along with other visits such as those by the Minister-President of the Government of Flanders in 2023 and various Belgian Deputy Prime Ministers, has opened significant new avenues for cooperation, particularly in green energy and sustainable infrastructure. These diplomatic milestones have cemented Hai Phong's position as a preferred destination for Belgian high-level delegations and investors.
DEEP C: The Flagship of Economic Synergy
The core of the discussion focused on the impressive economic results achieved through this bilateral relationship. As of June 2026, Belgium has 09 active FDI projects in Hai Phong, with a total investment exceeding $761.67 million. The most prominent among these is the Dinh Vu Industrial Zone (DEEP C Industrial Zones), which stands as the first and largest collaborative project between a consortium of Belgian companies and Hai Phong.
DEEP C has become more than just an industrial park; it is a symbol of successful international cooperation. Today, the zone has attracted over 170 secondary projects with a total registered investment capital of over $8 billion. Major global corporations such as Pegatron, Foxconn, Bridgestone, SK, USI, and ShinEtsu have chosen DEEP C for their operations, contributing significantly to Hai Phong’s industrial restructuring toward high technology, increased production value, and enhanced competitiveness in the global supply chain.
Robust Trade and Diverse Commodity Exchange
The trade relationship between Hai Phong and Belgium has also shown remarkable resilience and growth. In 2025, export turnover from Hai Phong port to the Belgian market reached $131.93 million, while imports totaled $101.31 million. This momentum continued into the first five months of 2026, with exports exceeding $53.06 million and imports reaching over $41.08 million.
The exchange of goods is highly diverse. Hai Phong’s primary exports to Belgium include jewelry, precious stones, footwear, paper products, and knitted garments. Conversely, Belgium provides Hai Phong with essential high-tech imports such as electrical machinery and equipment, medical and optical instruments, and inorganic chemicals or compounds of precious metals.
Pioneering a Green Future and Smart Logistics
Looking ahead, both sides emphasized the potential for cooperation in "Green Ports" and renewable energy. A significant foundation for this was laid in December 2025 during a working visit by Hai Phong city leaders to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. This mission focused on learning about smart port operations, green transformation, multimodal logistics, and the use of green hydrogen. These exchanges have paved the way for Hai Phong to adopt advanced environmental treatment technologies and carbon reduction strategies, drawing directly from Belgian expertise.
Broadening the Horizons: Education, Science, and Culture
The partnership extends far beyond economic figures into the realms of human capital and cultural exchange. In education, the Vietnam Maritime University has successfully implemented joint programs with the University of Antwerp and the University of Liège, focusing on shipbuilding technology. Similarly, the Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy has partnered with the University of Liège for family doctor training projects.
Scientific research has also flourished, with the Institute of Marine Resources and Environment implementing projects funded by Belgium and the European Union. These studies have provided critical data for environmental management and strategic risk assessment for Hai Phong's port activities. Furthermore, the Belgian Culture and Food Festival, which has been held annually in Hai Phong for five consecutive years, has become a beloved tradition, fostering strong cultural ties and people-to-people friendship.
Conclusion of a Successful Mission
As the meeting concluded, Chairman Do Thanh Trung wished the Ambassador health and success in his future endeavors, expressing hope that he would continue to support the Hai Phong – Belgium relationship regardless of his position. Ambassador Karl Van den Bossche thanked the city leaders for their hospitality and affirmed that he would always carry fond memories of Hai Phong, a city he regards as a dynamic gateway for Belgian interest in Southeast Asia.
This farewell visit marks the end of a prolific diplomatic chapter but signals the beginning of even more ambitious collaborative efforts between the Kingdom of Belgium and the city of Hai Phong.