As previously reported by Scandasia this fall, will Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia be making a state visit to Vietnam on 2–7 February 2004 at the invitation of President Tran Duc Luong. The royal couple will then proceed for a state visit to Brunei 7–9 February 2004 at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.
The official announcement of the state visits and dates for them was made 18 December by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Laila Freivalds will be taking part on behalf of the Swedish government.
The official delegation will include State Secretary Jonas Bjelfvenstam, Ministry of Industry, Employment and Communications, and State Secretary Krister Nilsson, Ministry of the Environment. The latter will also participate in Brunei.
At the same time, Swedish business delegations will also be visiting both countries.
Scandasia has learned that around 15 business delegation participants were reported for Hanoi by mid December and 6 for Ho Chi Minh City.
Seminars in each of the cities are being planned as well and had attracted some 50 to 60 people by mid December.
The programme in Vietnam will include visits to Hanoi, Hu ้ and Ho Chi Minh City. In Brunei will the capital Bandar Seri Begawan and Belalong National Park in Temburong be seen by the Swedish guests.