VNHNO - Locals in the northern port city of Hai Phong were entertained with an array of cultural activities, jointly held by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Vietnam and the municipal People’s Committee, on September 22, as part of the ongoing “Dutch Days” marking 45 years of Vietnam-Netherlands diplomatic ties (1973-2018).
A bicycle parade, led by Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, Nguyen Van Tung, and Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam, Elsbeth Akkerman, kick-started the series of events on Saturday, gathering the participation of more than 100 people. The parade began at the city’s Opera House and ran through Nguyen Du Flower Garden and Tam Bac Lake, transmitting a message of leading a healthy life with respect for the environment.
The Chairman of the Hai Phong People's Committee and the Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam lead the bicycle parade. Photo: VOV
For the first time ever, a food corner was organised during the “Dutch Days” by the Dutch Embassy, offering local citizens the chance to enjoy typical Dutch dishes such as fried meatballs, fried potato chips, bean soup, pancakes and Jolie apple juice.
Other cultural activities included a photo exhibition and fun puzzles giving an insight into the country and people of Netherlands.
Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Elsbeth Akkerman stated that the “Dutch Days” in Hai Phong, on September 21-22, was a continuation of the success of the “Dutch Days” activities in Vietnam, after being successfully held in Da Nang city and Da Lat city (Lam Dong province).
According to the diplomat, bicycling is a small action but one that anyone could participate in to preserve and protect the environment and contribute to realising the common goals targeted by both Hai Phong city and the Netherlands to build smart cities of sustainable development.
Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Tung said that Dutch businesses are currently operating ten projects in Hai Phong with a total investment capital of US$128 million.
Hai Phong appreciates the contribution of the Netherlands in the process of promoting local socio-economic development, he said, asking the Dutch firms to continue investing in the city.
Earlier on September 21, a workshop was co-held by the Dutch Embassy and the Hai Phong People’s Committee, discussing opportunities for investment in the northern port city and directions for forming a smart and modern port economy in the locality.
The Dutch participants shared their experience in operating ports in line with smart and energy-saving models through using natural energy, as well as their experience in collecting and recycling packaging materials towards circulating production./.
