Việt Nam and Denmark have taken a significant step in their diplomatic relationship by agreeing to elevate their bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This new phase of cooperation was formalized during a meeting between Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen. The move comes as the two nations prepare to celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.
The upgraded partnership aims to strengthen political connections and expand long-term cooperation across key sectors, including trade, investment, renewable energy, and technology. Denmark is now the second European Union member state to establish such a partnership with Việt Nam, highlighting the importance of these new strategic ties.
Trade and investment have been identified as central pillars of the partnership. Both leaders emphasized the need to bolster the implementation of the EU–Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement, improve market access, and encourage businesses to engage more actively in international supply chains. Denmark expressed its interest in expanding investments in Việt Nam, particularly in high technology and environmentally friendly industries. Tô Lâm welcomed the contributions of Danish companies like LEGO, Maersk, and Vestas, calling for stronger investment promotion to turn commitments into practical projects.
Renewable energy and sustainable development are set to be major priorities under this new partnership. Denmark has pledged to share its expertise to support Việt Nam’s transition to cleaner energy sources, improve energy efficiency, and advance its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The countries plan to collaborate on large-scale renewable energy projects, with a focus on offshore wind power and the Just Energy Transition Partnership.
Technology and innovation also play a critical role in the upgraded relations. The two governments agreed to enhance cooperation in fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and biotechnology. This includes fostering partnerships among universities, research institutes, and businesses, as well as promoting skills development and training.
As part of the broader agreement, both countries reaffirmed their support for multilateralism and international law, signaling their commitment to closer cooperation through the United Nations and other international platforms. They also emphasized the importance of strengthening relations between the European Union and ASEAN, with Việt Nam expressing readiness to facilitate cooperation between Denmark and ASEAN.
The leaders instructed relevant ministries and agencies to implement the commitments under the new framework, and witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents between organizations from both countries. Prime Minister Frederiksen accepted an invitation to visit Việt Nam, marking a commitment to translate the upgraded partnership into tangible results across shared priorities.