Distinguished Guests, Ministers, Excellencies, business leaders, friends of Denmark,

Thank you for joining us in celebrating the strong ties between our two countries. And a special thanks to everyone involved in making our visit here in Hanoi a very special one.

Tomorrow, The Crown Princess and I look forward to continuing our programme in the Hai Phong and Ha Nam provinces. Where both our delegations will engage in inspiring talks and meetings with local partners and stakeholders that hopefully will lead to jobs and continued green growth.

Truly a day to look forward to. But first – tonight – we celebrate the close relationship between our two countries.

Vietnam and Denmark share a long history of close ties and fruitful cooperation.

Over the past 25 years, Denmark has provided development assistance in Vietnam to various key sectors such as energy, agriculture, fisheries, water and environment. Vietnam has since been on an impressive socio-economic development journey.

Over the past years our relations have matured into an increasingly equal and mutually beneficial relationship. It has also developed into new areas. Denmark is now a major foreign investor in Vietnam. Not least thanks to the Vietnamese government’s strong commitment to reducing carbon emissions and actively responding to climate change.

Around 135 Danish companies have registered in Vietnam. Within the Nordic group of countries, we always like a friendly competition, and that is why I am happy to say that we have around twice as many Danish companies as all the other Nordic countries combined.

I wish you all a great evening, hoping it will lead to closer friendships and partnerships between Vietnam and Denmark. I hope we will all enjoy the wonderful culinary experience and entertainment that have been prepared for us tonight at the opera.

Thank you.

(Det talte ord gælder)