 Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte (photo: XHN/VNA) |
The visit of the Dutch Prime Minister takes place at an important time with Vietnam and the Netherlands celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. This is the third official visit by Prime Minister Rutte to Vietnam. He was here in June 2014 and April 2019. The visit takes place less than a year after Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to the Netherlands last December.
The regular exchange of visits reflects the development of the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.
A typically dynamic, effective relationship
Vietnam and the Netherlands established diplomatic relations in 1973, but the first contact between the two countries took place more than 4 centuries earlier when the first Dutch merchant ship docked in Hoi An town, Quang Nam province.
Over the past 50 years, the cooperative relationship between the two countries has seen strong development. From a development partner supporting Vietnam in a number of projects, such as building the Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, the Eye Hospital, and water supply infrastructure, the Netherlands has become Vietnam’s leading trade and investment partner in Europe.
The Netherlands is currently the EU’s largest investor in Vietnam, with a total investment of 13.7 billion USD, and is the largest importer of Vietnamese goods in Europe, with a trade turnover of 11 billion USD last year.
Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands to Vietnam Christoph Prommersberger said: "Over the years, our relations have continued to develop together with the development pace of Vietnam. I would say that we now have multifaceted and balanced relations based on mutual interest, trade, and investment."
Vietnam and the Netherlands have signed two strategic cooperation agreements, including a Strategic Partnership Agreement on Climate Change and Water Management in 2010 and a Strategic Partnership in Agriculture and Food Security in 2014. With experience in water management accumulated over many centuries, the Netherlands has sent experts to help Vietnam implement water resource management projects and study climate change response measures, especially in coastal regions.
Cooperation between the two countries has been carried out at the government level as well as between universities, research institutes, businesses, social organizations, and individuals. The Netherlands is currently one of the top destinations in Europe for Vietnamese students.
New development stage
Built on the foundation of the good relationship of the past 50 years, Vietnam and the Netherlands are moving toward a new development stage with new priorities.
Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Kees van Baar said that some leading Dutch technology businesses are accompanying the Dutch Prime Minister on his visit to Vietnam. Promoting cooperation with Vietnam in high tech and digital transformation is a Netherlands priority.
 Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Kees van Baar (photo: VGP/Quang Thuong) |
The Ambassador says the Dutch government is very interested in one thing Prime Minister Minh said while visiting the Brainport Center, the cradle of Dutch technology: that the relationship between Vietnam and the Netherlands began at a seaport 4 centuries ago, moved to an airport in the 20th century, and now in the 21st century, it should move to a Brainport, which represents high tech.
"Our high-tech industry is interested in Vietnam. There are many high-tech companies such as FPT and CMC of Vietnam, and also foreign companies like Samsung, LG, and Foxconn. They would like to see whether they can produce their high-tech elements in other countries than China," said Ambassador to Vietnam Kees van Baar.
With Vietnam focusing on technology, innovation, and digital transformation, there is a huge potential for cooperation in these areas. The Netherlands has some of the world's leading high-tech enterprises in semiconductors, telecommunications, and e-commerce – ASML, NXP, Phillips, and Adyen – While Vietnam has emerged as a new, attractive destination in the global high-tech supply chain.
Priorities shared by Vietnam and the Netherlands don’t stop at high tech. As two countries with large delta regions, Vietnam and the Netherlands face serious water and climate change challenges, which both affect the agricultural sector. Cooperation opportunities between Vietnam and the Netherlands in these areas are large.
The world has seen a shift in technology investment flows and climate change has become a survival challenge for humanity. Vietnam and the Netherlands share priorities and are determined to bring their relationship to a new stage that addresses their interests while contributing to global efforts to meet global challenges.