Typically Dutch - Dutch Business Association vietnam

dutch mission in vietnam
Bringing Holland to Vietnam
Monique Bennema
Tulips, windmills, wooden shoes
and cheese are typical Dutch
products. Cruising the canals of
Amsterdam and walking around
the Keukenhof leaves a deep
impression on tourists visiting the
Netherlands. For Dutch people
living abroad, these types of things
are very treasured and missed.
Typically Dutch traits span more
than just that. The Dutch people
are known to be determined and
stubborn.
Determined in
grasping business
opportunities
and stubborn
in not giving
up without
trying again and
again. These
characteristics
contribute to
Dutch business
people being
pioneers in
international
business.
Internationally we are famous for our
struggle to keep dry feet, shaping a
can-do attitude. The Netherlands’
many bridges, dykes, windmills and
pumping stations give it a unique
appearance and illustrate its long
struggle against the sea. Centuries
of experience have made the
Netherlands the globally recognised
leader in water management,
important knowledge in these
uncertain times of climate change.
With Vietnam listed as one of the
most vulnerable countries affected by
climate change, there are many areas
in which the Dutch can provide
expertise and assistance to Vietnam;
integrated water resources
management, flood control, delta
technology and coastal zone
management.
8 DOUBLE DUTCH 2010│11
Former Minister of Agriculture
and former chairman of the Delta
commission in the Netherlands, Cees
Veerman, together with members
of the Delta commission, attended
the conference on climate change
response plans for the Mekong Delta
held at the beginning of April this
year in Can Tho City. The Dutch
expertise in water management has
always been highly regarded by the
Vietnamese. “Holland branding” has
been successful in the water sector
and its scope and effectiveness can be
broadened into other sectors.
Holland branding activities and
events organised by the Dutch
government aim at boosting the
positive economic image of Dutch
businesses abroad by highlighting the
offer of the Netherlands, or a group
of Dutch companies in particular, and
creating possibilities to capitalise on
commercial opportunities.
Our participation in the kick off
celebration of the Ha Noi millennium
anniversary is an example. A tulip
carpet, made of 22,000 tulips as
a gift from the Dutch Minister of
Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality,
Gerda Verburg, was presented during
the Hanoi Flower Festival early
January this year. Almost three million
Vietnamese people and foreign
tourists flocked to Hoan Kiem Lake.
No doubt the Dutch tulips were one
of the highlights of the event as this
was the first time Vietnam enjoyed the
impressive beauty and abundance of
Dutch tulips. The Dutch presence was
highly recognized and appreciated.
The time is right to further solidify
our presence in Vietnam. Plans to
bring a ‘Holland Village’ to Vietnam
for a few weeks both in Ha Noi
and Ho Chi Minh City are being
discussed. The ‘Holland Village’
consists of a number of traditional
Dutch Houses, a large windmill, a
wooden shoe maker, plus a number
of typically Dutch attractions, such
as a fish stand, a cheese stand and a
street organ. An enormous amount
of work, money and effort are
required to make this happen.
Sponsorship from the private sector
will be essential and many Dutch
companies have already expressed
their interest in sponsoring this event.
They will be contacted shortly with
details on how to give this a concrete
form. The Village will offer sponsors
a high-profile opportunity for
Holland branding of their products
and services.
If you are interested in sponsoring the
‘Holland Village’ please contact:
mr. Jos Schellaars at the Consulate General
in Ho Chi Minh City by e-mail:
hcm@minbuza.nl.
Dutch Embassy Hanoi: han-ea@mibuza.nl
Consulate General HCMC: hcm-ea@minbuza.nl