Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong on Tuesday afternoon hosted a reception for Queen Mathilde of Belgium, who is on a visit to Vietnam between Tuesday and Thursday as Honorary President of UNICEF Belgium.

President Thuong remarked that the queen’s visit is a meaningful event at a time when Vietnam and Belgium are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties (1973-2023).

Queen Mathilde said she was looking forward to her upcoming trip to northern Lao Cai Province where she could witness the outcomes of childcare facilities in Vietnam as well as the country’s achievements in sustainable development.

The trip will also enable her to learn about challenges facing the Southeast Asian nation in providing child care and protection.

The Vietnamese state leader said that the Communist Party, state, and the people of Vietnam have paid great attention to child care, education, and protection over the years, saving the best things for the future generation of the country.

Also, the country has constantly worked to perfect its legal framework, formulate and execute multiple policies and programs associated with children.

Besides these achievements, the country has encountered some obstacles such as the increasing development gap among regions, as well as differences in the provision of healthcare and nutrition services among localities.

President Thuong took this occasion to express his gratitude to Belgium, UNICEF Belgium, and Queen Mathilde for having supported and cooperated with Vietnam in child care and protection.

He expected that during her trip to some projects funded by UNICEF Belgium in Vietnam, Queen Mathilde would better understand the efforts, achievements, and obstacles faced by Vietnam in the field.

He also requested UNICEF Belgium to consider further support for Vietnam so that the country will be able to provide better child care and education in the years to come.

Further, he extended his invitation to King Philippe and Queen Mathilde to visit Vietnam to discuss measures to expand and deepen ties between the two countries.

A queen with great love for children

Queen Mathilde of Belgium was born into a noble family in a central Belgian city in 1973.

The queen is greatly admired for her beauty and talent. She is among the most highly-educated royal members in Europe.

She can speak various languages fluently such as French, Dutch, English, Italian, and Spanish.

She had previously come to Vietnam in 2012 during which she spent much time visiting Belgium-funded projects in rural areas.

During her ongoing trip to Vietnam, the queen will visit educational institutions in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai and learn about the results of IT application in teaching and learning.

The Honorary President of UNICEF Belgium will also visit nutrition support clubs and meet with Vietnamese students to share about mental healthcare.

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