Vietnam and the Netherlands officially established diplomatic relations 50 years ago (1973), but the first contacts between the two countries took place more than four centuries ago, when the first Dutch merchant ships docked in Hoi An (Quang Nam province).
Over the past 50 years, the bilateral cooperation has recorded remarkable developments. From a development partner, supporting Vietnam in a number of projects, such as: building the Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, an eye hospital or building water supply infrastructure, the Netherlands has now become Vietnam's leading trade and investment partner in Europe.Specifically, the Netherlands is currently the largest investor of the European Union (EU) in Vietnam, with a total investment capital of about 13.7 billion USD and is the largest importer of Vietnamese goods in Europe, with a total bilateral trade turnover last year reaching more than 11 billion USD. Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands to Vietnam, Christoph Prommersberger, assessed that the relationship between the two countries over the past decades is typical of a dynamic and effective relationship: "Over the years, the relationship between Vietnam and the Netherlands has continuously developed along with the development pace of Vietnam. Now we have a very diverse and balanced relationship, based on common interests, trade and investment".
In addition to trade and investment, Vietnam and the Netherlands have also signed two strategic cooperation agreements, including: the Strategic Partnership Agreement on Climate Change and Water Management in 2010; and the Strategic Partnership on Agriculture and Food Security in 2014. As a country with centuries of experience and water management skills, and a leading reputation in the world, the Netherlands has for many years sent experts to assist Vietnam in implementing water resource management projects and researching climate change response plans, especially in coastal plains.
In addition, cooperation between the two countries does not stop at the government level, but the relationship between universities, research institutes, businesses, social organizations and people of the two countries is also very close and deep. In terms of education, the Netherlands is currently one of the top destinations in Europe for Vietnamese students.
Building on the good relationship built over the past 50 years, Vietnam and the Netherlands are moving towards a new stage of development in bilateral relations, with new priorities at a higher level.
Notably, in early November, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Mark Rutte paid an official visit to Vietnam from November 1-2. This is the third time Mr. Mark Rutte has visited Vietnam as Prime Minister of the Netherlands. Previously, Prime Minister Mark Rutte visited Vietnam in June 2014 and April 2019.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Photo: VNA.
During the half-century of nurturing and developing the Vietnam-Netherlands relationship, the two sides have demonstrated a strong determination to promote comprehensive cooperation, expand cooperation in potential areas, not only including economics, trade, development cooperation but also key areas of climate change response, agriculture, renewable energy, circular economy, etc. to move towards the goal of sustainable development and join hands to effectively respond to global challenges.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte's official visit to Vietnam continues to bring bilateral cooperation to a new height, in the context of the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations (1973-2023).
Mr. Kees van Baar, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Vietnam. Photo: VGP.
According to the Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam, Kees van Baar, accompanying the Dutch Prime Minister on this visit to Vietnam is a delegation of many leading Dutch enterprises in the technology sector. According to the Ambassador, promoting bilateral cooperation in the fields of high technology and digital transformation is the focus and priority that the Netherlands wants to implement with Vietnam.
Ambassador Kees van Baar shared: during this year's visit to the Brainport Technology Center (BIC), where leading Dutch technology companies gather, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a saying that the Dutch government really appreciates: the relationship between Vietnam and the Netherlands 4 centuries ago started from seaports, in the 20th century through airports and now, in the 21st century, needs to move to a higher level, Brainport, which means high technology. The Ambassador assessed that this shows that both Vietnam and the Netherlands are determined to turn high technology into a new pillar in the relationship between the two countries: "The Dutch high-tech industry is very interested in Vietnam because there are many high-tech companies in Vietnam, both Vietnamese companies, such as FPT, CMC... and foreign companies, such as Samsung, LG, Foxconn... In addition, Dutch technology companies also want to find another location, besides China, to be able to produce their high-tech components."
In the context of Vietnam implementing 3 growth breakthroughs, focusing on technology, innovation, digital transformation, the potential for cooperation between Vietnam and the Netherlands in these new priority areas is enormous. The Netherlands has world-leading high-tech enterprises in the fields of semiconductors, telecommunications, e-commerce, such as: ASML, NXP, Phillips, Adyen... while Vietnam has recently emerged as an attractive new destination for the global supply chain, especially the high-tech supply chain.
The common priorities of Vietnam and the Netherlands do not stop at high technology. As two countries with a large delta in common, Vietnam and the Netherlands both face serious water and climate change challenges, which have a major impact on their export-oriented agricultural sectors. Therefore, there is also great room for cooperation between Vietnam and the Netherlands in addressing these issues.
It can be said that in the context of the world having a strong shift in technology investment flows and climate change becoming an existential challenge for humanity, Vietnam and the Netherlands both have common priorities and determination to bring bilateral relations into a new, deeper stage of development, meeting the interests of the two countries, as well as contributing to the common effort to respond to global challenges.
Cong Dao
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