Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte on Thursday morning made a cycling tour around some streets in Hanoi as part of the latter’s visit to Vietnam.

The two PMs started at the Government headquarters (Hung Vuong street) through Phan Dinh Phung street shaded by ancient trees, to Nguyen Tri Phuong street, Dien Bien Phu street with many historical relics and ended the journey at Ton That Dam street, where the Foreign Ministry is headquartered.

They pedaled through streets around the UNESCO-recognized Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on their cycling tour in Hanoi. Photo: Pham Hai

The Dutch Prime Minister was impressed with Hanoi's landscape and architecture with its harmonious combination of ancient and modern features.

Before the visit, the Dutch Prime Minister shared that this was the third time he visited Vietnam. His previous trips were memorable because he was always impressed by Vietnam's economic development. And this is what brought him back here again.

Earlier the same day, following an official welcome ceremony for Rutte, the two PMs held talks.

At talks, PM Chinh stressed that the visit holds significance as the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, contributing to further deepening the Vietnam-Netherlands comprehensive partnership.

He affirmed the two countries’ determination to collaborate and develop self-reliance and sustainability, thus making positive contributions to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

The Dutch PM described Vietnam as a priority and important partner of the Netherlands in the Indo-Pacific, and expressed his delight at paying his third official visit to Vietnam and meeting with PM Chinh after almost a year since Chinh's official visit to the Netherlands in December 2022.

Following their talks, the two PMs witnessed the exchange of four cooperation agreements between ministries, departments and associations of both countries in the fields of sustainable exploration of key minerals, customs, investment and trade.

They attended the Green Economy Forum 2023 with the theme "European-Vietnamese Collaboration Fuels Green Initiatives” organized by the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham).

The Dutch leader also visited the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, delivered a speech at a roundtable conference themed "International Law and Order at Sea", visited and talked with teachers and students of the Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, a significant and iconic symbol of ties between the two countries.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte enjoyed a tea tasting session at a renowned teahouse on Dien Bien Phu street. Photo: Pham Hai

On the sidelines of the visit, Rutte, along with his Vietnamese friends, enjoyed a tea tasting session at a renowned teahouse on Dien Bien Phu street on November 2 morning. He met some Vietnamese female entrepreneurs and was inspired by their great stories and experiences.

PM Rutte also has the opportunity to enjoy the authenticity of Kim Lien pagoda.

Standing on a flat strip of land in Nghi Tam village, Quang An commune, Tay Ho district, Kim Lien pagoda is considered one of the 10 most ancient architectural monuments in Vietnam. Photo: Pham Hai

The visit, which was taking place as Vietnam and the Netherlands are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations (1973-2023), was the third by the Dutch PM to Vietnam since he took office in 2010, following PM Chính's visit to the Netherlands nine months ago.

Rutte reiterated that the Netherlands attaches importance to its relationship with Vietnam, and wishes to promote cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation across spheres.

PM Rutte and his entourage left Hanoi on November 2 evening, concluding their official visit to Vietnam from November 1-2.

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