Hanoi: State President Luong Cuong and his spouse Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet, together with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium went for a tour of Thang Long Imperial Citadel at noon on April 1 as part of the latters’ state visit to Vietnam. Earlier, in the morning, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde paid tribute and laid wreaths at President Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum and the monument to Vietnamese war heroes and martyrs on Bac Son street in Hanoi.

According to Vietnam News Agency, the visit of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde to the Thang Long Imperial Citadel is a significant cultural exchange between the two nations. The citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a symbol of Vietnam’s historical legacy and was chosen to highlight the country’s rich past to the visiting Belgian royals.

The state visit by the Belgian King and Queen underscores the growing diplomatic ties between Belgium and Vietnam. The royal couple’s itinerary, which included paying respects at President Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum and the war heroes’ monument, reflects the importance of honoring Vietnam’s national history and its leaders.

The presence of both countries’ representatives at such historic sites is seen as a gesture of mutual respect and a commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. The visit to the Thang Long Imperial Citadel served as a cultural and historical exchange, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation between Vietnam and Belgium.