As part of his State visit to the Kingdom of Denmark, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam To Lam attended the Vietnam–Denmark Business Forum in Copenhagen on the morning of October 20 (local time).
The Forum was also attended by His Majesty King Frederik X of Denmark, senior officials from ministries, agencies and local authorities, and a large number of Vietnamese and Danish business representatives.
In his welcoming remarks, King Frederik X noted that Denmark is one of the largest European investors in Vietnam and sees significant untapped potential for further cooperation, particularly in energy efficiency, logistics, food, biological solutions and healthcare.
He emphasized that businesses can play an important role in creating jobs and developing new skills for the workforce.
King Frederik X highlighted the special significance of the Vietnam–Denmark Business Forum as bilateral friendship and cooperation enter a new phase of deeper, more effective and substantive engagement. He expressed his hope that the two sides would identify new practical solutions and measures, opening up fresh opportunities for cooperation that would deliver tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries.
Speaking at the Forum, General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized that Vietnam and Denmark have enjoyed a strong friendship and fruitful cooperation built over more than half a century. Bilateral relations have continued to deepen and become increasingly substantive, evolving from traditional development assistance into an equal, mutually beneficial partnership focused on green and sustainable development.
Against the backdrop of continued global economic uncertainties in 2026, including geopolitical conflicts, supply chain disruptions, energy price volatility and growing trade protectionism, Vietnam remains firmly committed to maintaining macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation, safeguarding major economic balances, promoting growth and creating new opportunities for development.
General Secretary and President To Lam stressed that Vietnam is entering a new stage of development, one that requires rapid yet sustainable growth, with science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transition and productivity improvements serving as its foundation.
To help achieve its two centennial development goals and pursue double-digit economic growth during the 2026–2030 period, Vietnam is committed to effectively harnessing the contributions of all economic sectors, with the foreign-invested sector recognized as an important component of the national economy.
Vietnam seeks not only to attract investment capital but also to bring in advanced technologies, knowledge, modern management practices, research and development (R&D) activities and highly skilled human resources, while fostering substantive linkages with domestic enterprises.
He expressed his hope that Danish businesses, drawing on their experience, resources and international reputation, would actively contribute to these development objectives.
General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized that the success of investors is also the success of Vietnam. Business interests must be aligned with the interests of the country, its people and the sustainable development of the economy.
Vietnam wishes to continue making effective use of existing cooperation frameworks while further facilitating trade and investment, strengthening connections between the two countries’ business communities, promoting technology transfer and enhancing the capabilities of Vietnamese enterprises to participate more deeply in sustainable value chains.
General Secretary and President To Lam noted that Vietnam and Denmark have considerable potential to elevate their economic cooperation to a new level, particularly in sectors where Denmark has strong capabilities and Vietnam prioritizes investment and cooperation.
These include renewable energy, logistics, seaports, green maritime transport, science and technology, innovation, environmental technologies, water management, agriculture, food, healthcare, life sciences, green manufacturing, the circular economy and carbon emission reduction solutions.
He encouraged Danish businesses to adopt a longer-term vision of Vietnam: not merely as an investment destination, but as a strategic manufacturing base, a logistics hub, an innovation centre and a dynamic consumer market in the region, as well as an increasingly important link in global supply chains.
He also called on the Danish Government, ministries and relevant agencies to continue supporting, encouraging and facilitating greater investment and long-term business expansion in Vietnam, especially in sectors where Denmark has competitive strengths and Vietnam has identified development priorities.
These sectors include renewable energy, infrastructure and logistics, high technology, green transition, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and high-tech agriculture.
General Secretary and President To Lam expressed his hope that Denmark would strengthen cooperation in green finance, technology transfer, human resource development and business connectivity, while encouraging Danish financial institutions and investment funds to participate in large-scale, strategically important projects in Vietnam.
He emphasized the need for both countries to enhance policy dialogue, investment promotion activities and the development of concrete cooperation projects.
In particular, General Secretary and President To Lam proposed that Danish enterprises embrace three major shifts in their approach to cooperation with Vietnam.
First, from “investing in Vietnam” to “investing with Vietnam.”
Danish enterprises should strengthen partnerships with domestic companies and help Vietnamese businesses integrate more deeply into global value chains.
Second, from “manufacturing in Vietnam” to “researching, innovating and manufacturing in Vietnam.”
The objective is to transform Vietnam into a centre for research, product development, innovation and workforce training within the global strategies of Danish companies.
Third, from “growth” to “green and sustainable growth.”
Danish businesses are encouraged to work alongside Vietnam in developing clean energy, green logistics, low-carbon manufacturing, the circular economy and supply chains that meet the highest European and international standards.
General Secretary and President To Lam reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to continuing to accompany, listen to and take concrete action in support of the business community.
Vietnam will further improve its institutional framework, substantially enhance the investment and business environment, accelerate reforms, simplify administrative procedures, develop infrastructure, improve the quality of human resources and create the most favourable possible conditions for trade and investment.
The country will also work to promptly address legitimate difficulties and obstacles encountered by investors.
At the Forum, General Secretary and President To Lam and King Frederik X of Denmark, together with representatives of both countries, witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents between Vietnamese and Danish ministries, agencies and organizations.
The cooperation documents covered a wide range of areas, including life sciences, advanced biomedicine, digital transformation in healthcare, innovation and human resource development; chemicals, fertilizers and sustainable energy; offshore wind power; strategies for aviation materials, supply chains and services; quantum information science and technology; and cooperation in STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics).