The aim of this visit was to promote economic cooperation between both countries, especially in the areas of agriculture, water, logistics, energy, and technology.

Vice Minister Schuiling met Dang Hoang An, Vietnam’s Vice Minister of Industry and Trade to discuss the bilateral trade and investment agenda and the implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

The Netherlands supports Vietrade and the Dutch Business Association in Vietnam to implement the Ready to Export programme, which fosters cooperation between small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in both nations.

Schuiling offered further support to facilitate the implementation of the EVFTA in Vietnam, especially in relation to SMEs and multi-modal logistics solutions.

She complimented Vietnam on its commitment to the green transformation of the economy and net-zero emissions by 2050.

“The Netherlands stands ready to support Vietnam in developing the necessary legislative environment, in particular, the framework to facilitate offshore wind and direct power purchasing agreements by private companies,” said Schuiling.

Other points of discussion included the circular economy and enabling business travel from the Netherlands with a visa waiver programme.

In her meeting with the Vice Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong, the Dutch vice minister congratulated the Ministry of Planning and Investment on the approval of the Mekong Delta Integrated Regional Masterplan, the first of its kind in the country.

The Netherlands has invested €50 million ($53.2 million) in both private- and publicly-funded projects in the Mekong Delta, and there is room for a considerable increase in climate funding for Vietnam.

Dutch Vice Minister for Foreign Economic Relations Hanneke Schuiling meeting Deputy Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan on April 26

In her meeting with Vo Van Hoan, Deputy Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Vice Minister Schuiling congratulated the city for its efforts to boost the economic recovery. She also emphasised the ties between Ho Chi Minh City and Rotterdam in climate adaptation since 2009 and looked forward to developing more opportunities for cooperation across different sectors.

Dutch experts are keen to cooperate with Ho Chi Minh City on spatial planning, flood protection schemes, green infrastructure, and sustainable mobility.

As part of the visit, Vice Minister Schuiling met with 100 female entrepreneurs in an inspiring session on entrepreneurship.

In Haiphong, the vice minister attended the delivery ceremony of the Tan Cang 99 tugboat and met VinFast's leaders who plan to open showrooms for its new fully electronic vehicles in the Netherlands in the coming time.

“Vietnam is an important partner of the Netherlands in Southeast Asia. I am delighted to see the strong presence of Dutch businesses in Vietnam, fuelling economic recovery and development. I am particularly proud of the contributions of the Dutch business community to the green transformation of Vietnam’s economy,” said Schuiling.

The Netherlands is the second-largest EU trade partner and the largest direct investor from Europe in Vietnam.

It is in the interest of both countries to fully utilise the potential of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. The Netherlands is ready to cooperate on improving logistics, boosting sustainable trade, tackling climate change, and assisting in agricultural reform. At the same time, urban and climate challenges pose a need for closer cooperation on innovative and sustainable solutions.