The Mayor of Rotterdam, Mr. Ahmed Aboutaleb, visited Ho Chi Minh City at the end of July. The aim was to promote economic cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Rotterdam, according to an article from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Around 60 per cent of Vietnamese exports destined for European markets currently enter the continent via the Port of Rotterdam, which has a central location as well as good connectivity and world-class logistics, writes the article. Likewise, Ho Chi Minh City has a strategic geographical location.
During his visit, Mayor Aboutaleb joined a round table on sustainable urban development that focused on urban flooding, climate change financing and land subsidence to increase climate resilience. Because both cities sit on river deltas, the participants discussed the current challenges of Ho Chi Minh City, while experts shared the case study of Rotterdam in the context of strengthening climate change resilience.
“Rotterdam and HCMC share similar DNA,” said Mayor Aboutaleb during his visit. “I am delighted to see how HCMC has transformed since my last visit and also the incredible economic recovery after the pandemic.” He hopes that both cities can continue exploring innovative, smart solutions to urban challenges including climate change, water management, port development and social-economic issues.
The Netherlands and Vietnam have strategic partnerships in “Water & Climate Change Adaptation” and “Agriculture and Food Security”. In 2021, their bilateral trade amounted to 8,373 billion USD. Vietnam and the Netherlands will celebrate their 50th year of diplomatic relations in 2023.
