Mrs Huizinga is accompanied by the representatives of more than 30 businesses, universities and research institutes who want to seek out business opportunities in Vietnam. The visit underlines co-operation between Vietnam and the Netherlands in managing water resources growing and coping with climate change.

The Netherlands chose Vietnam as one of their five priority countries where it will focus on water management and climate change issues. Mrs Huizina said that the Netherlands is a delta country, and most of land is below sea level and it wants to share its experience with Vietnam.

On October 5, the Netherland delegation signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Vietnam and the Netherlands will draw up a plan to cope with climate change for the whole region.

On October 6, Mrs Huizinga will witness the signing of a co-operative programme on flood management between the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and the Dutch Embassy. The programme will help to deal with floods and tidal waves in HCM City and its surrounding areas.

A seminar on climate change and water management in the Mekong Delta region will be held in HCM City on October 8. The seminar will discuss ways of boosting long-term co-operation between Vietnam and the Netherlands as well as a strategic vision for water management and how to cope with climate change in the region.

During the visit, Mrs Huizinga will launch an initiative to establish an institute for climate change response and water management in Vietnam.