This afternoon, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium visited Hidden Gem Café on Hang Tre Street in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

Wearing a traditional Vietnamese ao dai in celadon blue, Queen Mathilde joined King Philippe in enjoying Vietnam’s famous egg coffee.

Seated under a skylight in a cozy courtyard decorated entirely with recycled materials, the royal couple listened attentively to an introduction about the history of Vietnamese coffee and the origins of egg coffee.

Egg coffee dates back to the 1940s and 1950s, invented by Hanoians who substituted egg for milk to create a rich, creamy froth. Today, it’s a staple in cafés across Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and even abroad.

This unique beverage has become a must-try for both locals and international visitors. Many world leaders, dignitaries, and celebrities have chosen egg coffee during their visits to Vietnam. International media and television have praised it as one of the most delicious drinks, enticing countless famous figures to try it in Hanoi.

The King and Queen carefully followed instructions on how to properly enjoy the drink, sipping it slowly and appreciating its rich aroma and flavor.

Wim Dehandschutter, a journalist accompanying the royal delegation, posted a three-minute video on social media capturing the King and Queen sipping their egg coffee and clinking glasses.

The royal couple also expressed admiration for the café’s artwork, which was crafted entirely from recycled materials.

Speaking with VietNamNet, Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, the café’s owner and the person who personally welcomed the King and Queen, said she was informed of the royal visit two weeks in advance to prepare.

She noted that while her café often welcomes embassy delegations and international guests, this was the first time a foreign head of state had visited. Trang speculated that the café was chosen for its cozy ambiance, fitting architecture, and most notably, its design concept centered around sustainable, recycled materials.

Just the day before, many Hanoi residents were pleasantly surprised to see King Philippe and Queen Mathilde casually strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake and exploring nearby streets in simple, relaxed attire.

This marks the royal couple’s third visit to Vietnam. During this trip, they have witnessed firsthand the remarkable economic and social progress the country has made, as well as Vietnam’s rising prominence in global economic and geopolitical affairs.

As strategic partners in agriculture, Belgium and Vietnam have been actively implementing technical cooperation programs between universities and research institutes. They are also working together to develop inland waterway logistics systems to support the export of Vietnamese agricultural products to Europe.

In tackling climate change, both nations have shown strong joint commitment through their collaboration in developing green economies, renewable energy, and sustainable logistics systems.

Several Belgian companies are currently working closely with Vietnam, particularly in the hydrogen energy sector. During the King and Queen’s state visit, key projects in this field are expected to be signed, contributing to Vietnam’s transition toward a green and sustainable economy.

Tran Thuong