Hanoi, Oct. 23 -- Following the ceremony, the two leaders held a summit meeting to review bilateral cooperation and chart major orientations for advancing Viet Nam-Belgium relations.

More than five decades after establishing diplomatic relations in 1973, Viet Nam and Belgium have continuously strengthened their friendship and expanded cooperation across various fields.

As an active supporter of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), Belgium remains an important partner in helping Vietnamese goods access the European market.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Belgium is Viet Nam's sixth-largest trading partner, fifth-largest export market and seventh-largest import market within the EU.

Viet Nam, meanwhile, is Belg...