Ho Chi Minh City, October 2, 2025 — The leadership of Ho Chi Minh City welcomed representatives of the Dutch Business Association Vietnam (DBAV) for a high-level dialogue today, reaffirming the strong and growing economic partnership between Vietnam and the Netherlands.

The Dutch delegation was led by Mr. Wieste Mutters, Chairman of DBAV and Managing Director of Heineken Vietnam; Mr. Gabor Fluit, Chairman of DBAV (the Netherlands Chapter) and CEO of Royal De Heus; and Mrs. Fleur Goote, Executive Director of DBAV. They were received by Mr. Nguyễn Văn Được, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, along with senior city officials.

Chairman Được opened the meeting by recognizing the contributions of Dutch businesses to Vietnam’s economy, particularly in retail, seaports, agriculture, and food security. He emphasized the city’s readiness to listen to and support the Dutch business community.

Bilateral Trade and Investment Highlights

Mr. Wieste Mutters presented key figures:

• The Netherlands is Vietnam’s top EU export destination and a major investor.
   
• Bilateral trade reached USD 14.2 billion in 2024, a 43% increase from 2020.
   
• Vietnam’s exports to the Netherlands totaled USD 12.99 billion, yielding a trade surplus of USD 11.8 billion.
   
• Dutch FDI in Ho Chi Minh City has exceeded USD 5.1 billion, with around 125 Dutch firms active in the city.
   

Vietnam’s exports include electronics, footwear, textiles, seafood, and coffee; imports from the Netherlands include machinery, chemicals, and high-tech products.

Opportunities and Challenges

DBAV Executive Director Fleur Goote highlighted opportunities for public–private collaboration in sustainability, green growth, food security, logistics, infrastructure, digitalization, and innovation.

She also introduced DBAV’s flagship program Ready to Export (R2E), designed to support Vietnamese SMEs in preparing for global supply chains. The program equips companies with the tools to enhance governance, meet international quality and compliance standards, and pursue sustainable growth. By connecting Vietnamese SMEs with Dutch expertise and markets, R2E fosters stronger bilateral trade and investment cooperation.

Mrs. Goote further noted that while Dutch SMEs are increasingly expanding in Vietnam, they still face challenges such as lengthy administrative procedures, regulatory transparency, infrastructure bottlenecks, skills gaps, and compliance with new EU sustainability rules.

City’s Strategic Vision

In response, Chairman Được shared Ho Chi Minh City’s long-term development strategy following its administrative integration with Bình Dương and Vũng Tàu. The city aims to become an international financial and high-tech hub in Thủ Thiêm, with strong growth in semiconductors, digital transformation, and clean energy.

He stressed that Vũng Tàu will play a central role in seaport development, petrochemicals, the marine economy, and renewable energy — areas where Dutch expertise could bring strong cooperation opportunities. Bình Dương, meanwhile, will continue focusing on industry and advanced manufacturing.

Chairman Được added that upcoming transport infrastructure projects — new railways, expressways, and expanded port capacity — will be critical by 2030–2035 to reduce congestion, strengthen industrial zones, and lower logistics costs.

He also highlighted ongoing administrative reforms to simplify licensing and improve service quality, while calling on businesses to join the city in talent development and higher education partnerships to address future skills needs.

Chairman Được concluded with the message: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together,” emphasizing the importance of long-term partnership and mutual understanding.

Strengthening Partnership

Wrapping up the session, Mr. Wieste Mutters reaffirmed DBAV’s commitment to supporting Ho Chi Minh City’s strategic direction:

“Dutch businesses are long-term partners of Vietnam. We will continue to contribute to Ho Chi Minh City’s growth agenda, particularly in areas where Dutch strengths align with the city’s priorities.”

The meeting closed with an exchange of commemorative gifts and photos, symbolizing the friendship and shared ambition between Ho Chi Minh City and the Dutch business community.