Authorities of Ho Chi Minh City had a meeting with Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Elsbeth Akkerman and Dutch experts on October 28 to discuss the Netherlands’ suggestion for cooperation in sustainable flood prevention for the southern economic hub.

Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Elsbeth Akkerman (second from left)
and Politburo member Nguyen Thien Nhan, Secretary of the HCM City
Party Committee (R) (Photo: sggp.org.vn) 

At the meeting, Dutch experts presented the solution, which is in the form of a public-private partnership project.

Accordingly, the private sector will engages in the construction and maintenance of flood prevention facilities, while the Government will issue policies and mechanisms to ensure the investors’ incomes for their operations in the work. As a result of the partnership, the city will have a sustainable system at a reasonable cost.

Experts suggested the hub build tidal barrage, multifunctional dyke, drainage canal, and multi-purpose rainwater collecting systems to protect District 2 and District 9. Along such systems, facilities that create incomes for investors, including golf courses, parking areas, stores, entertainment centres, will be constructed.

The entire project is estimated to cost about 1.26 billion USD, they said.

Director of the municipal Construction Department Le Hoa Binh and Director of the municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Toan Thang highlighted the necessity of the project.

Politburo member Nguyen Thien Nhan, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee, thanked the goodwill of the diplomat and the Dutch Consulate General in helping the city handle flooding.

He agreed to organise an event for Dutch experts to report their solution to local public agencies and sectors and urged relevant agencies to further study the suggestion and propose suitable follow-ups to the city’s leaders.

Nhan affirmed Vietnam and HCM City highly value cooperative ties with the Netherlands and that the city is attentive to the European country’s experience in water management, climate change adaptation, smart city building and artificial intelligence.

Elsbeth Akkerman suggested the city boost collaboration with Dutch partners in sustainable smart city development. She said she believes the Netherlands with its experience will help the city tackle its challenges to become a worth-living location.