Charting a Shared Path: Why Vietnam Remains a Strategic Priority for Dutch Investors
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – With cumulative Dutch investment reaching US$15 billion, the Netherlands remains the largest EU investor in Vietnam, as Consul General Raïssa Marteaux highlights Vietnam’s strategic edge driven by Talent, Trade, and Transformation.
The Netherlands remains the largest EU investor in Vietnam, as Consul General Raïssa Marteaux highlights Vietnam’s strategic edge driven by Talent, Trade, and Transformation (Image source: The Saigon Times).
With total cumulative Dutch investment reaching US$15 billion by the end of 2025, the Netherlands continues to rank as the largest EU investor in Vietnam.
In a recent interview with The Saigon Times, H.E. Raïssa Marteaux, Consul General of the Netherlands in Ho Chi Minh City, shared her perspectives on why Vietnam remains a priority destination for Dutch businesses in 2026 — and how the partnership between the two countries is evolving across high-tech, logistics, sustainability, and climate innovation.
Talent, Trade & Transformation: Vietnam’s Competitive Edge
According to Consul General Marteaux, Vietnam stands out because of the convergence of three key drivers: Talent, Trade, and Transformation.
Vietnam’s young, skilled, and tech-savvy workforce offers strong growth potential for Dutch multinationals and SMEs alike. Combined with an extensive network of free trade agreements and competitive access to global markets — particularly Europe — Vietnam presents an attractive platform for export-oriented and diversified production strategies.
Equally important is the country’s reform momentum. A pragmatic, business-oriented policy environment and rising investor confidence signal a strong commitment to long-term transformation.
Expanding Beyond Traditional Sectors
While agriculture and water management remain pillars of bilateral cooperation, Dutch investment interest is increasingly expanding into:
Urban flood management, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City
Logistics infrastructure, including airport and seaport development
Semiconductors and high-tech industries
The Netherlands plays a central role in the global semiconductor ecosystem — with Dutch technology embedded in approximately 85% of global chip production processes. With companies such as Besi operating in Saigon Hi-Tech Park, and further interest from firms like VDL-ETG, Tecnotion, and Lucassen, the Netherlands positions itself as a long-term strategic enabler of Vietnam’s semiconductor ambitions.
Strengthening the High-Tech Ecosystem
To further attract Dutch high-tech investors, three priorities were highlighted:
A streamlined one-stop shop for investors
Continued investment in talent development, particularly English proficiency and innovation capabilities
Upgrading energy and digital infrastructure
These elements are essential for Vietnam to move beyond assembly and integrate more deeply into the global value chain.
Sustainability, Compliance & Market Access
As EU regulations such as CBAM and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) enter enforcement phases, the Netherlands is actively supporting Vietnamese exporters in adapting to new standards.
Initiatives include:
Pilot projects on EUDR-compliant coffee production
Sustainability and human rights training for garment exporters
The Ready to Export program, which has trained over 3,700 participants and mentored 108 enterprises
Given that approximately 60% of Vietnam’s exports to Europe pass through the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands recognizes its responsibility as a strategic gateway to the EU market.
Climate Innovation & Integrated Solutions
Recent initiatives such as the Innovation Mission on “Salinization in Horticulture in the Mekong Delta” illustrate how technical exchange can evolve into scalable, integrated business models. A new Dutch-supported consortium will focus on translating research into practical, sustainable solutions for the region.
A Partnership Built for the Long Term
From smart and green logistics to semiconductor technology and climate-smart agriculture, the Netherlands and Vietnam are deepening cooperation across sectors that define the future economy.
As Consul General Marteaux emphasized, the relationship is not only about investment volume — but about building resilient supply chains, enabling innovation, and shaping sustainable growth together.