State Visit of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde to Vietnam - Day 1

Queen Mathilde wore a yellow silk dress and gold brooch by Dries Van Noten

On April 1, 2025, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium commenced their state visit to Vietnam. The King and Queen laid a wreath at the Monument of National Heroes and at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Afterwards, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were officially welcomed by the President of Vietnam, Luong Cuong, and his wife, Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet, at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi.

Queen Mathilde wore a yellow silk dress and gold brooch by Dries Van Noten

Queen Mathilde wore a yellow silk dress and gold brooch by Dries Van Noten

Queen Mathilde wore a yellow silk dress and gold brooch by Dries Van Noten

Queen Mathilde wore a yellow silk dress and gold brooch by Dries Van Noten

Following the official welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace, First Lady Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet invited Queen Mathilde to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Relic Site. Later, they visited the National Children's Hospital in Hanoi.

Queen Mathilde wore a yellow silk dress and gold brooch by Dries Van Noten

Queen Mathilde wore a yellow silk dress and gold brooch by Dries Van Noten

Queen Mathilde wore a yellow silk dress and gold brooch by Dries Van Noten

Queen Mathilde wore a yellow silk dress and gold brooch by Dries Van Noten

Queen Mathilde wore a yellow silk dress and gold brooch by Dries Van Noten
27 Comments
  1. Anonymous1/4/25 10:18

    La soucoupe volante est trop imposante
    Froufrou

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  2. Anonymous1/4/25 10:45

    La tenue est jolie (couleur et coupe) mais le chapeau n est absolument pas approprié. Ça lui mange la moitié du visage et c'est pas très respectueux pour les hôtes. Si elle voulait à tout prix porter une coiffe, alors il eût mieux valu mettre un bandeau. Je trouve ces énormes chapeaux pas seyants, encore moins pour une visite en Asie. Un peu se simplicité ne fait pas de mal.

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    1. Anonymous1/4/25 12:05

      I think the hat is actually very appropriate and is quite possibly a nod to the Vietnamese “non la” (palm frond hat - I have one and love it!). I don’t understand your viewpoint that hats in Asia are not respectful? It’s normal for people in most of Asia’s hot countries to protect their faces and bodies from the sun, and hats and brims and other head coverings are normal . - Mary

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    2. Anonymous1/4/25 12:05

      Aber wie treffend Sie das sagen ; ) der Hut wirkt als sollte er Frau Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet auch gleich mit Schatten spenden ; ) Mir fällt öfters auf, das sich die königlichen Damen in zu hohen Schuhen bewegen, wenn man doch das Gegenüber kennt. In solchen Fällen hilft das beste Designer Outfit aus dem Gastgeber Land nichts, wenn dann solche Bilder entstehen. Zu viel an mandarinenorangengelb neben der eleganten, wunderschönen und zarten Präsidentengattin. Die beiden Kinder sind entzückend : ) -Dorothe-

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    3. Anonymous1/4/25 12:57

      Anon 10.45 I understand your perspective on the hat, but in the context of an official visit to Vietnam, it might actually be quite appropriate. In many Asian countries, especially in hot climates like Vietnam, wearing a hat for sun protection is common and practical. If the hat was inspired by the *nón lá* (Vietnamese conical hat), it could even be seen as a respectful nod to local culture.

      As for elegance and simplicity, it’s always a balance between protocol, climate, and cultural appreciation. In a diplomatic setting, a well-chosen hat can be a sophisticated addition rather than a sign of disrespect.

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    4. Anonymous1/4/25 14:14

      @Dorothe Royal women do not wear shoes that are "too high". They may be too high for you and others, but they are perfectly acceptable shoes. The suggestion that the heel height should be adjusted when with shorter people is ridiculous. Why isn't it the other way around? Why don't you expect short women to wear high heels to make themselves taller to make their taller guest's height less obvious? Then there is the matter of the men. How do you expect to adjust the height of the men, one much taller than the other? The people of Vietnam happen to have a much shorter average height than the average European. The Vietnamese know they are not tall people. I can't see how they would be bothered by taller visitors. Everyone should be themselves during these visits. Adjusting one's height with shoes has nothing to do with the sartorial nods women often give their host countries.

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    5. Anonymous1/4/25 18:37

      It just have a hard time with "zu viel an mandarinenorangengelb" instead of "zu viel Mandarinengelb" or "zu viel Orange-Gelb”. Also ”Mir fällt öfters auf” is rather informal…I don’t know, could be just me.

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  3. Anonymous1/4/25 11:03

    A beautiful simple dress in a vivid spring colour. But why this too big hat when you are going to meet with and talk to people along the way. Very unpleasant

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  4. Anonymous1/4/25 11:19

    Avec vos deux commentaires.

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  5. Anonymous1/4/25 12:09

    Very nice! I live Mathilde with big hats like that

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  6. Anonymous1/4/25 12:10

    Very nice & brightful! I love Mathilde with big hats.

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  7. I agree with Mary, I think the hat is perfect and a nod to the “non la” .
    Dorothe, i love your language: mandarinenorangengelb what a word! And accurate describe the color the Queen is wearing, its not Mandarin, is not orange and is not yellow its: mandarinenorangengelb
    Love Vietnam traditionele dresses, so elegant!
    Luna

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    1. Anonymous1/4/25 20:59

      Danke liebe Luna für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit zu meinem Kommentar und es freut mich wenn Ihnen meine Sprache gefällt ; ) -Dorothe-

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  8. Anonymous1/4/25 13:30

    Mathilde a le même style que Maxima : elles ne passent pas inaperçues ;-)
    Elle est déjà très grande donc avec des talons elle fait vraiment géante.
    Le drapé de la robe est un peu bizarre ainsi que la forme des manches, cependant les fleurs dorées sur l'épaule sont originales.
    Mathilde a porté les deux couleurs des deux drapeaux, hier en rouge, aujourd'hui en jaune.
    Bien que le vert ne soit pas ma couleur préférée, les deux robes de la femme du président sont belles et lui font une jolie ligne.
    La jeune femme à droite de la 3e photo est discrètement élégante : robe marine, veste rose et foulard en harmonie.
    Paloma.

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  9. Beaucoup d'élégance dans les robes de l'épouse du Président dont j'adore les couleurs et les motifs !

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  10. Anonymous1/4/25 15:20

    Mathilde looks great (and in yellow!) but something went wrong with the ethiquette - both ladies are not at the same fashion level IMO.

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  11. Anonymous1/4/25 16:36

    I really like this dress (style and colour on Mathilde). I don't mind the hat, it suits her well. The First Lady is also wearing exquisite dresses, just beautiful! I'm just wondering why she changed her dress and Queen Mathilde didn't?
    Damsel Dragonfly

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  12. Anonymous1/4/25 16:41

    Today Queen Mathilde is wearing the dress she wore on Belgium's National Day, 21 july 2022. The hat is also a rewear she wore during the state visit from The Netherlands to Belgium in 2023. I like her dressed like that. The state visit just started and Queen Mathilde wore already the 2 colors of the Vietnamese flag, yesterday a red pant suit, today a dark yellow dress.
    The dress, the earrings, the brooch are by Natan. The hat is designed by Fabienne Delvigne. When another state visits Belgium the King and Queen or President and First Lady can wear the traditional clothes of their country, culture or related to their religion. King Philippe and Queen Mathilde are friendly people who welcome their guests with respect and all the honors that are usually displaying on such events. I do not see why she should avoid wearing a hat which is sometimes small and sometimes big. @ Dorothe. Queen Mathilde's whole outfit would look ridiculous with loafers or ballerina's. The colors mandarin, orange and yellow are national colors in Vietnam ! So, the queen already did a part of her diplomatic dressing, the rest will follow.

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    1. Anonymous1/4/25 18:28

      I agree, Queen Mathilde’s outfit is a thoughtful nod to Vietnam with the colors of their flag. Rewearing pieces like the dress and hat shows sustainability and elegance. Her outfit reflects both style and respect for the country she's hosting, and the formal footwear is fitting for such an occasion. King Philippe and Queen Mathilde’s warm approach to these visits is truly admirable.

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  13. Anonymous1/4/25 16:45

    Quite the hat, it suits her well and she is a queen after all, so she should stand out, and have protection from the sun so she doesn’t squint or need to wear eye shades. Love the teal dress, just exquisite.

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  14. Anonymous1/4/25 17:28

    QM wears big hats very well and this model I quite like, but it’s overwhelming in this case I think, partially because of the color but also she overpowers everybody because of her hight. She wears a lovely draped dress but this orange doesn’t suit QM.

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  15. Virginia Dogwood1/4/25 17:34

    The First Lady of Vietnam is dressed beautifully. The last one is gorgeous in that ocean teal or some similar color and so well fitted.

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  16. Anonymous1/4/25 19:25

    The blue-green dress of the Vietnamese first lady is very pretty. I like Mathilde's yellow dress a little less, but it's still okay. Her mega hat looks like a satellite receiver. I find it ridiculous and clownish. That's my opinion. Stephanie

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  17. Anonymous1/4/25 19:32

    I actually find the outfit and hat great. She looks like a queen.

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  18. Anonymous1/4/25 20:04

    Lovely, lovely dress: in style as well as in colour!
    The hat and hair are also exquisite!

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  19. Anonymous2/4/25 02:00

    I love Queen Mathilde's bright mango colored outfit! The color is wonderful on her and the style is pretty. She looks lovely. I think her hat is a great nod to her hosts as it does indeed look like a traditional Vietnamese hat. The First Lady's 2 outfits (are both ao dais?) are exquisite! The colors of the silks are so beautiful. Both ladies are beautifully dressed.

    Janet

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