Vietnam and Denmark have announced a significant upgrade in their bilateral relations, elevating their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This agreement marks a new era of cooperation in trade, investment, renewable energy, technology, and sustainable development. The announcement was made during discussions between Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen, as the two nations prepare to celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.
This upgraded partnership aims to enhance political connections and expand cooperation across key economic and strategic sectors. Denmark becomes the second European Union member to establish such a partnership with Vietnam. A key focus of this new phase is on trade and investment, where both leaders emphasized the importance of the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement. They agreed on improving market access and encouraging greater participation in international supply chains.
Denmark expressed a keen interest in increasing its investments in Vietnam, particularly in high technology and environmentally friendly industries. Danish companies like LEGO, Maersk, Pandora, Carlsberg, and Vestas have already made significant contributions, and Vietnam is calling for more investment promotion and policy dialogue to turn commitments into actionable projects. Cooperation will also be enhanced between government agencies, businesses, local authorities, and communities in both countries.
Renewable energy and sustainable development are major priorities in the new partnership. Denmark has committed to sharing its expertise and technology to support Vietnam’s transition to cleaner energy and help achieve its target of net-zero emissions by 2050. Tô Lâm has asked for Danish assistance in mobilizing green finance and developing large-scale renewable energy projects, particularly offshore wind power.
Further collaboration is expected in technology, innovation, and education, with a focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and biotechnology. Both countries will encourage partnerships among universities, research institutes, and businesses, while also promoting skills development and the training of highly qualified professionals. Additional cooperation is planned in healthcare, the circular economy, smart urban development, and climate adaptation.
On the international front, Tô Lâm and Frederiksen reaffirmed their support for multilateralism and international law, emphasizing closer cooperation through the United Nations and other forums. They highlighted the importance of strengthening ties between the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with Vietnam willing to assist in enhancing cooperation between Denmark and ASEAN.
The leaders have directed relevant ministries and agencies to implement the commitments under the new partnership framework and witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents between organizations and businesses from both countries. Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen accepted an invitation to visit Vietnam, with both sides expressing their commitment to translating the upgraded partnership into tangible results across shared priorities.