Bert De Belder, Head of the Department of International Relations of the Workers' Party of Belgium (PTB), highlighted the significant impact of the Party chief's book "Several theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam". Recognising its immense value, the PTB translated the book into Dutch to widely popularise the work in Belgium and the Netherlands in both the Dutch and French languages.
He said the book also underscores the importance of engaging and educating the younger generations, given the formidable challenges they will face in the coming years and decades.
Chris Geyskens, President of the Belgian branch of the International Association of Victims of Agent Orange Vietnam, noted that General Secretary Trong's legacy will be cherished for his contributions to Vietnam's development and progress, particularly in national liberation and construction.
Pierre Grega, President of the Belgium-Vietnam Friendship Association (ABV), fondly recalled General Secretary Trong's visit to Belgium in 2013 on the occasion of the 40th founding anniversary of Belgium-Vietnam diplomatic ties, saying that the trip significantly strengthened the bilateral relations, not only in economic cooperation but also in education, information technology, and environmental collaboration. He praised the Party leader's contributions to Vietnam's global integration, promoting peace and balancing geopolitical forces, particularly through the "bamboo diplomacy" policy.
In the UK, Mark Kent, Chair of the Vietnam-UK Network (VUKN) and former British Ambassador to Vietnam, commended General Secretary Trong's leadership, which oversaw Vietnam's continued economic growth and strengthened bilateral relations with the UK, especially in trade and investment with the coming into force of the Vietnam-UK Free Trade Agreement, and the ongoing accession of the UK to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) with active support from Vietnam.
The two countries have also seen significant advances in cooperation in important areas such as climate change, health, education and security while people-to-people relations have also flourished in culture, tourism and sports.
Kent said the VUKN was honoured that during the Vietnamese Party General Secretary’s historic visit to the UK in January 2013, he witnessed the official launch of the VUKN at the Vietnamese Embassy in London on January 22, with the presence of Party chief Trong, the first Vietnamese General Secretary to visit the UK.
Personally, Kent had the honour to know General Secretary Trong during his time as Ambassador in Hanoi from 2007-2010 when the Vietnamese leader held the post of Chairman of the National Assembly and they discussed parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.
VUKN Co-founder and former Chair Warwick Morris, agreed with Kent’s remarks about the Vietnamese Party chief. Morris, who is also former British Ambassador to Vietnam, praised the General Secretary’s long and distinguished career and his commitment to serve the country and people at a very important time in its development.
Morris said during his time as Ambassador from 2000-2003, he had the honour to meet the Vietnamese leader briefly a couple of times when he was Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee. He was delighted to see the Vietnamese leader again when he attended the official launch of VUKN in January 2013. The former ambassador recalled seeing the Party chief arrive at the Vietnamese Embassy in London on a cold evening, dressed in an overcoat, scarf and cap, a seemingly modest man but one who had made, and continued to make for a further decade, a very significant contribution to the development of Vietnam.
Talking with the Vietnam News Agency's correspondents in Hong Kong (China), Lao Consul General in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Ammala Saenchonghack said the passing of the General Secretary was not only a profound loss of the Vietnamese Party, State and people but also their Lao counterparts.
He believed that the Vietnamese Party, State and people will turn this sorrowful event into a source of strength, reinforcing the national unity to resolutely move forward, continue building a modern industrial nation, and realise the aspirations for a happy, democratic, just and prosperous society.
