Netherlands supports Mekong Delta’s sustainable development
A business forum was held in Can Tho city on April 8, offering chances for Vietnamese and Dutch firms to meet and share innovation solutions and the Netherlands’ experience in water, agriculture and logistics for sustainable development of the Mekong Delta.
Can Tho (VNA) - A business forum was held in Can Tho city on April 8, offering chances for Vietnamese and Dutch firms to meet and share innovation solutions and the Netherlands’ experience in water, agriculture and logistics for sustainable development of the Mekong Delta.
Delegates from the Netherlands assessed current challenges and difficulties facing the Delta region such as saline intrusion, sea level rise and groundwater depletion. They discussed measures to improve productivity and quality of the region’s agriculture and capitalise on its ressources, calling for the engagement of the Government and community at home and abroad.
This requires holistic approach and inter-sectoral support for sustainable and high-value agricultural production, Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Elsbeth Akkerman said.
Stakeholders need to develop points of sale for farm produce processing, improve road and waterway transport and logistics. At the same time, due attention must be paid to environmental protection and water management, she added.
The Netherlands has to date channelled about 50 million USD into projects and initiatives in the Mekong Delta.
In Vinh Long province, the Dutch government provided 19.5 million USD in non-refundable aid for a project totalling 202.2 million USD which aims to support the province’s climate change adaptation.
Through ongoing projects in Mekong Delta localities, Dutch experts and scientists have devised measures supporting local people in climate change adaptation, sustainable agricultural development and water management, among others.
The Netherlands is hoped to provide the Mekong Delta with solutions to tackle challenges in infrastructure as well as climate change, along with measures for agricultural development, while the Delta region will promote the application of scientific and technological advances from the Dutch side to uphold its advantages and potential in the coming time, heard the event.
The Mekong Delta is one of the five deltas most vulnerable to climate change in the world. With an area of 3.96 million hectares and a population of 18 million, it contributes 50 percent of Vietnam’s total food output. The region provides 90 percent of the country’s export rice, 70 percent of fruit and 65 percent of aquatic products./.
Vietnam always values its friendship and comprehensive cooperation with the Netherlands in politics-diplomacy, trade-investment, security-defence, culture, education, farming, and climate change adaptation, affirmed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during phone talks with his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte on December 6.
Deputy Minister of Finance Tran Xuan Ha and Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Elsbeth Akkerman have signed an agreement for Development Related Investment Infrastructure Vehicle (DRIVE) funded by the Netherlands Invest International, to support the Vinh Long Climate Resilience Project, the Vietnam Government Portal (VGP) reported.
Officials of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho have worked with representatives of the Dutch Embassy in Vietnam and Clear Rivers on implementing a pilot project to collect plastic waste in Hau river.
Vietnamese and Dutch experts gave recommendations on measures to respond to land subsidence and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta region during a scientific conference on January 12.
Vietnam has over 4.8 million people exposed to AO/dioxin, including hundreds of thousands in the second, third, and even fourth generations. Many live with severe disabilities, facing high medical costs and loss of earning capacity.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
With support from the Vietnamese Association in Ufa, Vietnamese language classes for children have been offered for many years. Currently, 60 children of various ages are attending two classes taught by Duc Anh, free of charge.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
A corner of Can Tho city (Photo: VNA) 
