As part of their official state visit to Vietnam, Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium paid a visit to the War Remnants Museum on the afternoon of April 3, 2025.
During the visit, Their Majesties toured the special exhibition entitled “Agent Orange Effects,” interacted with victims of Agent Orange, as well as with individuals who have made significant contributions to the research and remediation of the effects of Agent Orange/dioxin. They also attended a presentation by Haemers Company (Belgium) showcasing a model for the treatment of dioxin-contaminated soil.
While Belgium was the first nation in the world to suffer the effects of chemical weapons during World War I, Vietnam has borne the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin for many decades. This shared history of wartime suffering has fostered a profound sense of empathy between the two countries. At present, Belgium remains one of the most active supporters of Vietnam’s efforts in dioxin soil remediation, collaborating closely with the Party, Government, and people of Vietnam to restore contaminated lands to safe, productive use for residential and agricultural purposes.
