On April 6, Mr. Phan Van Mai, member of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, attended and spoke at the ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands (1973-2023). The event was solemnly held at the Ho Chi Minh City Theater.
The head of the city government shared that, on the basis of bilateral relations, Ho Chi Minh City has always been one of the localities actively promoting cooperation with the Netherlands. In 2022, the total two-way trade turnover reached 1.6 billion USD, the Netherlands also has 185 investment projects in Ho Chi Minh City with a total capital of more than 5 billion USD.
Mr. Phan Van Mai, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, spoke at the event (Photo: Q.Huy).
"The Netherlands is not only known for its beautiful tulips in Keukenhof garden, bustling ports or unique windmills, but is also famous for its history and works that adapt to and conquer nature," the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee acknowledged.
The Dutch people have turned a country with many low-lying areas below sea level into a highly developed country with many key economic sectors in maritime, seaports, and urban management.
"The way the Netherlands adapts and benefits from nature has inspired many Vietnamese people, including me. Throughout history, our country and city have also faced significant challenges from climate change," said Mr. Phan Van Mai.
Symphony orchestras of the two countries performed at the celebration (Photo: Q.Huy).
The leader of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee emphasized that projects and consultancy on climate change adaptation, water management, bicycle development in the central area or investment by leading Dutch technology enterprises are contributing to creating a greener and more sustainable Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, the scholarships that the Netherlands grants to Vietnamese and Ho Chi Minh City students have contributed to improving the quality of the city's human resources.
"I personally attended a short-term training program in 2000. I would like to thank the Netherlands," said the Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City.
On the other hand, the 24,000 Vietnamese community in the Netherlands also contributes to building a strong cultural bond between the two countries. Many Dutch people present in Ho Chi Minh City also bring the two countries closer together.
"It would be remiss of me not to add that there are many Vietnamese people who are enthusiastic fans of the "Orange Storm" football team and admirers of Van Gogh's masterpieces. The vitality of the young city named after President Ho Chi Minh probably also makes the Dutch experience warm and memorable," the leader of Ho Chi Minh City informed.
Mr. Daniel Stork, Consulate General of the Netherlands in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: Q.Huy).
Mr. Daniel Stork, Consul General of the Netherlands in Ho Chi Minh City, informed that Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City and his country are known for their entrepreneurial spirit and seizing opportunities. The Netherlands is still the largest European investor in Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City.
"Every Dutch person who comes here is impressed by the hustle and bustle, the energy, the daring spirit. Every day riding an electric Vespa to work or cycling with my family on the weekend, the optimism and vision for the future of the Vietnamese people has lifted my spirits," Mr. Daniel Stork shared his feelings.
Over the past years, Vietnam and the Netherlands have continuously upgraded their relationship from development to trade, together addressing global challenges. When looking at the worrying prospects of rising sea levels due to climate change, both countries see the need to address this issue even more.
The relationship between the Netherlands and Vietnam has a history of more than 400 years, when the East India Company's merchant fleet came to East Asia to explore markets and find raw materials. Through many historical periods, the Vietnam - Netherlands relationship has increasingly developed positively, especially in the past two decades with visits by high-ranking leaders of the two countries.
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