Wallonia Festival 2025: Continuing the story of Vietnam-Belgium cooperation

These days in mid-September, Namur - the capital city of the Walloon region of Belgium - puts on a brilliant festive look. From early morning, the ancient cobblestone streets are filled with flags and flowers, and the jubilant music echoes from Place d'Armes - the heart of Namur, attracting a crowd of locals and tourists.

The aroma of craft beer mixed with the taste of hot waffles, mixed with cheerful laughter, creates a vibrant, warm atmosphere that is very unique to the French-speaking land festival.

According to a VNA reporter in Belgium, this year marks the 102nd time the Wallonie festival has been held, lasting from September 12-22, with a special highlight being Vietnam as the guest of honor.

At the Namur Theatre, in the solemn atmosphere of the official ceremony, the red flag with yellow star of Vietnam was solemnly raised next to the Belgian flag, becoming a vivid symbol of the strong friendship between the two peoples.

The event was attended by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever; Minister-President of Wallonia, Adrien Dolimont; President of the Wallonia Legislature, Mr. Willy Borsus; and many high-ranking federal and Wallonia officials.

From Hanoi, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang sent a video message: “Vietnam is honored to be the guest of honor at the Wallonia Festival. This is an opportunity for us to celebrate more than 50 years of Vietnam-Belgium cooperation and more than 30 years of association with Wallonia, towards a future of sustainable cooperation.”

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, Vietnam-Belgium cooperation has been constantly developing. Currently, Belgium is Vietnam's 6th largest export market in Europe, while Vietnam is Belgium's largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Nguyen Van Thao speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: Huong Giang/VNA)

At the local level, cooperation between Vietnam and the Walloon region and the French-speaking community of Belgium has been a bright spot over the past three decades.

Since 1993, many effective cooperation programs have been implemented in health , vocational training, renewable energy, environmental protection and climate change response.

Thousands of Vietnamese students have been studying at universities in Wallonia, becoming "knowledge ambassadors" contributing to fostering friendship.

Cultural exchanges are also increasingly strong. Namur and Hue, two twin cities, regularly exchange art troupes.

Hue people were fascinated by the unique stilt performances of Belgian artists at the Hue Festival, while in Namur, the Vietnamese flag flew during the festival as a symbol of cherished friendship.

Responding to a VNA reporter, Prime Minister Adrien Dolimont affirmed that Vietnam is a partner with a long history of cooperation with Belgium.

According to him, the visit of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Kingdom of Belgium to Vietnam this year highlighted the long-standing relationship, especially with the Wallonia region.

The regional government is currently promoting the identification of priority areas for expanding cooperation, with the expectation of soon realizing concrete results, bringing practical benefits to both sides.

A video clip about the message of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Le Thi Thu Hang, was shown at the ceremony. (Photo: Huong Giang/VNA)

President of the Walloon Legislature, Mr. Willy Borsus, emphasized that choosing Vietnam as the guest of honor stems from the close, effective and friendly ties between the two sides.

He said that this relationship needs to be further deepened, not only in investment and trade but also in people-to-people exchange, culture and tourism, where the Vietnamese community in Wallonia has been actively contributing.

In his welcoming speech, Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Nguyen Van Thao emotionally shared: “Wallonie has become my second home. Every time I come back here, I feel as close as if I were in Vietnam.”

From that bond, Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao affirmed that Vietnam wishes to promote closer cooperation with Wallonia in many fields, especially biotechnology, smart agriculture and clean agriculture, the region's strengths as well as Vietnam's sustainable development orientation.

Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao said that the relationship between Vietnam and Belgium has achieved many positive results in recent times. In particular, after the State visit of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Kingdom of Belgium to Vietnam last April, the two sides opened a new chapter of deeper and more comprehensive cooperation, not only between Vietnam and Belgium in general but also with the Wallonia region in particular.

At the Vietnam booth in the festival center, many visitors came to visit and attentively looked at publications and images about the country and people of Vietnam.

Mohamed Ali, a tourist, shared: “Before, I only knew about Vietnam through cuisine and movies. Today, I am really impressed and will definitely come to Vietnam soon.”

During the 10-day festival, Namur and the rest of Wallonia are filled with music and colour. On the outdoor stage, traditional music is mixed with modern, youthful tunes.

Vietnam Pictorial Magazine on display at the Festival. (Photo: Huong Giang/VNA)

In the central square, the stilt-walking competition - a 600-year-old heritage recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage - attracted thunderous applause.

Children chattered around the game booths, while tourists enjoyed crispy fries or glasses of foamy beer. The festive atmosphere spread not only in Namur but also in Liège, Charleroi, Mons, La Louvière, Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve… The whole Wallonia region was in harmony, joyful, bustling and proud.

The Walloon Festival 2025 is not only a traditional festival of the Belgian people but also a bridge connecting culture and friendship between Walloons and Vietnam. As the familiar Walloon song still resonates: “We love each other like Walloon brothers and are ready to hold hands.”

In that jubilant atmosphere, Vietnam and Wallonia joined hands to continue writing the story of cooperation, connection and sharing, a story that promises new pages full of hope in the future./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/le-hoi-wallonie-2025-viet-tiep-cau-chuyen-hop-tac-viet-nam-bi-post1063302.vnp