Chairman Le Ngoc Chau expressed his pleasure in welcoming Minister Aukje de Vries, Ambassador Kees van Baar, and the Dutch delegation to Hai Phong. He emphasized that the Netherlands has been one of Vietnam’s and Hai Phong’s most crucial European partners.
Currently, Hai Phong hosted 16 Dutch foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with a total capital of approximately USD 361 million. In recent years, Hai Phong and the Netherlands have held a number of in-depth discussions aimed at developing strategic cooperation in seaport and logistics development.
The Chairman also introduced to the Dutch delegation about Hai Phong’s socio-economic achievements and its potential development especially in urban planning and port infrastructure. He highlighted that Hai Phong possessed a modern, synchronized transport system—the only locality in Viet Nam with all modes of transportation.
Hai Phong aims to become a major regional and global seaport hub, developing on three key pillars:
1.    Modern seaport and logistics services;
2.    Green, smart, high-tech industry;
3.    International marine tourism center.
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Hai Phong’s seaport development strategy
According to Vietnam’s Master Plan for Seaport Development for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050, Hai Phong is classified as a special seaport within Seaport Group No.1, and is one of two national-level special seaports.
The city’s two main port clusters — Lach Huyen (associated with the Dinh Vu – Cat Hai Economic Zone) and Nam Do Son (linked with the Southern Coastal Economic Zone) — are oriented to develop into international transshipment ports, capable of receiving large vessels, adopting digitalized port operations, and expanding logistics, free trade, and international cargo transshipment services.
The Chairman also informed the delegation about Hai Phong’s logistics infrastructure, investment incentives, and human resource development plans, and emphasized the city’s desire for sustainable infrastructure and smart logistics solutions to support long-term growth.
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Strengthening cooperation
Chairman Le Ngoc Chau affirmed that this meeting provided a crucial opportunity for both sides to exchange visions, strategies, and experiences in port and logistics development, thereby promoting effective investment cooperation in Hai Phong’s key sectors.
He pledged that the city would always accompany and facilitate Dutch enterprises investing in Hai Phong, ensuring sustainable development. The Chairman also expressed his hope that Ambassador Kees van Baar would continue to act as a bridge for cooperation and investment promotion between Dutch businesses and Hai Phong.
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Remarks from Minister Aukje de Vries
Minister Aukje de Vries expressed her sincere appreciation for the city’s warm reception and conveyed her positive impression of Hai Phong’s strong socio-economic growth, particularly in the maritime sector.
She affirmed her confidence in the promising cooperation prospects between businesses from Vietnam in general and Hai Phong in particular with Dutch enterprises in maritime, port, aviation, logistics, and shipbuilding industries, especially as both sides pursue green and sustainable infrastructure development.
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Enterprise exchange and cooperation opportunities
At the meeting, representatives of several Dutch enterprises introduced their fields of operation and business models. Enterprises from both Hai Phong and the Netherlands discussed opportunities and challenges in Hai Phong’s port and logistics planning and operations, as well as in maritime transport and shipbuilding, while proposing solutions and potential cooperation projects.
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Reporter: Nguyen Lan
Photos: Nguyen Hai
Source: Haiphong.gov.vn