Dutch ambassador impressed by Ho Chi Minh City’s identity, rapid development
Ho Chi Minh City has consistently impressed Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Remco van Wijngaarden with its distinctive cultural identity and rapid development, heard a meeting on Thursday afternoon between Ho Chi Minh City vice-chairman Nguyen Manh Cuong and the newly-appointed ambassador.
The Dutch ambassador recalled visiting Ho Chi Minh City for the first time as a tourist around two decades ago and returning on several occasions while working in Thailand.
Throughout these visits, he said he had been consistently impressed by the city’s strong cultural identity and fast-paced development.
His colleagues at the Netherlands Consulate General have had positive experiences living and working in the city, he shared.
Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Remco van Wijngaarden. Photo: Thanh Hiep / Tuoi Tre
Ho Chi Minh City seeks Dutch support for flood control projects
At the reception, vice-chairman Cuong highlighted the effective cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and the Netherlands in recent years, spanning partnerships with localities, investment projects, and infrastructure development.
The city has established cooperative ties with Rotterdam and received support from the Dutch government for several major projects.
A number of Dutch businesses are investing in Ho Chi Minh City, including companies operating in high-tech industries and semiconductor manufacturing.
Cuong shared the positive news that Dutch technology company BESI, which designs and manufactures equipment for semiconductor assembly, interconnection and packaging, is completing procedures to bring its expanded factory at the Saigon Hi-Tech Park into operation in early 2027.
The expansion project is valued at some 42 million euros (US$46.6 million).
Ho Chi Minh City vice-chairman Nguyen Manh Cuong. Photo: Thanh Hiep / Tuoi Tre
Looking ahead, the city’s official proposed the Netherlands continue to provide its support in four key areas, including investment attraction and business development; water resource management and flood prevention; seaport development and logistics; and high technology and semiconductors.
In particular, amid challenges posed by land subsidence and limitations in the drainage system, which have affected residents’ daily lives, Ho Chi Minh City hopes to receive Dutch expertise, technical assistance, and resources to develop effective flood prevention solutions.
Following the strategic merging in July last year, the city has gained additional advantages in seaport infrastructure, particularly in the Cai Mep Ha area, where it plans to develop a free trade zone.
The city hopes to attract Dutch firms to invest in the area and share their expertise in seaport development and logistics.
Vice-chairman Cuong affirmed that the city would facilitate administrative procedures to help Dutch enterprises invest, expand production, and grow their operations.
Ambassador Van Wijngaarden said 168 member companies of the Dutch Business Association Vietnam are operating across various sectors, including water management, high-tech agriculture, consulting, digital transformation, and semiconductors.
Regarding flood prevention, the ambassador said the Netherlands was supporting Ho Chi Minh City in developing a comprehensive master plan for flood risk management and response through 2060, with funding of approximately 300,000 euros ($333,000).
The Netherlands is also working with the World Bank and other international financial institutions to prepare subsequent steps once the city approves the master plan.
The diplomat noted that around 60 percent of the Netherlands’ area faces flood risks, while 30 percent of its land lies below sea level, giving the country extensive experience in water resource management.
The two sides also discussed cooperation in developing a skilled workforce for the semiconductor industry.
The Netherlands Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City is exploring scholarship opportunities for semiconductor students to study at leading Dutch universities.
It is considering capacity-building programs for city officials in flood management and response.
On local-level cooperation, the ambassador suggested Ho Chi Minh City sign a new cooperation agreement with Rotterdam, following the expiration of their previous agreement in July.
The Dutch side also expressed interest in renewing its cooperation agreement with the city of Emmen, focusing on high technology and agriculture.
Ho Chi Minh City officials pose for a group photo with Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Remco van Wijngaarden and his delegation, November 12, 2026. Photo: Thanh Hiep / Tuoi Tre
Argentina desires to learn from Vietnam’s experience in foreign investor attraction
Also on Thursday afternoon, vice-chairman Cuong received Minister Charge d'Affaires ad interim of Argentina to Vietnam Alexis Damián Elías Am during his visit and working trip to Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnam and Argentina established diplomatic relations in 1973 and have since maintained a comprehensive partnership, vicce-chairman Cuong noted.
Economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has made positive progress in recent years.
Despite their geographical distance, Vietnam and Argentina have considerable potential to complement each other’s economy, he said.
With a population of some 14 million, Ho Chi Minh City serves as a gateway to the ASEAN market and has strengths in industry, processing, and various other economic sectors.
These areas offer opportunities to connect with Argentina’s existing strengths and expand bilateral cooperation.
For his part, Am said he had arrived in Vietnam just over a month earlier, making his trip to Ho Chi Minh City his first official working visit since taking up his post.
He explained that he had chosen to visit the city because it is home to Vietnam’s largest Argentine community and hosts most Argentine businesses operating in the country.
The Argentine community in Ho Chi Minh City includes people from various cities across Argentina, potentially serving as an important bridge for promoting cooperation between the city and Argentine localities.
Am also highly valued Ho Chi Minh City’s Autumn Economic Forum and expressed hope that Argentina could participate in next year’s event to learn from Vietnam’s experience in developing mechanisms and policies to encourage and attract investment.
He said Argentina had introduced its own policies to attract foreign investment but remained keen to learn from Vietnam’s experience to draw more international investors.
Am observed that Argentina and Vietnam were not direct competitors but rather complementary economies.
By promoting investment cooperation, the two countries could generate further momentum for trade and economic development while supporting each other’s growth.
The Argentine diplomat also noted that 2027 would mark the 30th anniversary of the official opening of the Argentine Embassy in Hanoi.
Argentina hopes to organize commemorative activities in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other Vietnamese localities, and looks forward to support and coordination from local authorities.
Tieu Bac - Thanh Hiep / Tuoi Tre News
Link nội dung: https://news.tuoitre.vn/dutch-ambassador-impressed-by-ho-chi-minh-citys-identity-rapid-development-103261113134202786.htm