18 students and 4 accompanying adults from the Olivaint Conference of Belgium travelled to Vietnam for the 2024 summer study session. 

On the Morning of July 5, we had the privilege to be received at the Hanoï Business School by two professors : Pr. Dzung Mai Vie, Head of science and Pr. Nguyen Ngoc Thang, Vice-Dean of the Business faculty, as well as by their students. We learned more about the business environment in Vietnam.

We also got a chance to tell them more about the Belgian business climate.
 

On the evening of July 5, we had the great honor of being received by His Eminence Mr. Karl Van den Bossche, Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam. We learned more about the relationship between Belgium and Vietnam, mainly in terms of trade. Afterwards, we were very generously welcomed at a reception at his residence.

On July 10, we had the great privilege of meeting Rana Flowers, Head of Mission at UNICEF Vietnam, for a fascinating conference. We had the opportunity to discuss and learn about the situation of children in Vietnam, as well as UNICEF's projects. We then had the chance to visit the UN Greenhouse, the United Nations building in Vietnam, designed and conceived in an eco-responsible manner.

On July 8, we had the great privilege of being welcomed to the National Assembly of Vietnam in Hanoi by Dr. Nguyen Van Hien, President of the Institute for Legislative Studies and Chairman of the Vietnam-Belgium Parliamentary Friendship Group. We had the opportunity to exchange on Vietnam's political system, as well as its foreign and trade policies. We then had the honor to receive a detailed guided tour of the National Assembly building, its history and artifacts. It was a very enriching experience!

On the morning of July 10, we had the great honor of being received by His Eminence Mr. Julien Guerrier, Ambassador and Head of Mission for the EEAS (European External Action Service). We had the opportunity to discuss and ask questions about political and trade relations between the European Union and Vietnam. This fascinating exchange gave us a better understanding of the importance and stakes of relations between the European Union and Vietnam.

On July 11, we had the opportunity to visit the Belgian company DEEP C in Haiphong. We were welcomed by Koen Soenens and learned more about DEEP C, its missions and activities. The conference gave us a first-hand view of entrepreneurship in Vietnam, as well as an opportunity to meet Belgian players in the field. We were then guided on a tour of DEEP C's industrial site.

On July 17, we had the privilege of being received by representatives of Van Lang University in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as by Victor Dulait, Beluxcham representative. We had the opportunity to visit the University and learn more about its history, development and international relations. We then had the opportunity to exchange ideas with students about Vietnamese culture through activities.

On July 18, we had the opportunity to visit the Belgian company Boydens Engineering (part of SWECO Group) and be welcomed by architect Steve van Aelst. We learned more about Boydens Engineering's activities and construction projects in Vietnam, and had another perspective at professional exchanges between Vietnam and Belgium.