On September 30, 2024, at the office of the Embassy of Vietnam, Den Haag, the Netherlands, Mr. Paul Onings, representative of Onings Holland Flowerbulbs – a Gold member of the Netherlands – Vietnam Horti Business Platform, met with Mr. Ngo Huong Nam, the Ambassador of Vietnam in the Netherlands.

Both parties had a discussion on the consumption of Dutch Lily flower bulbs in Vietnam in general and the export business of Onings Company to Vietnam in general.

Mr. Paul Onings presented the Embassy with a bouquet of a new lily variety called “Sutudo”, which means Red Lion in Vietnamese (Sư tử đỏ). The red color (Vietnam flag) and the lion (animal of strength of the Netherlands) symbolizes the good relationship between both countries. After about 10 years of breeding and hybriding, next year “Sutudo” is expected to be trial planted in Vietnam. With bright and vibrant flower colors, strong petals and stems, and long-lasting durability, Onings Company is certain that “Sutudo” will be favored and chosen by Vietnamese consumers in the coming years.

On 17 June 2024, the seminar “A Decade of Growth – The Future of Dutch Vietnamese Horticulture” took place in Westland. The event was co-organized by Viet Nam Embassy in the Hague, Department of Local Diplomac Facilitation MOFA, Netherlands Vietnam Horti Business Platform, Dutch Greenhouse Delta and Gemeente Westland.

Exactly 10 years ago, on June 17, 2014, the Prime Ministers of Vietnam and the Netherlands signed the “Strategic Partnership Agreement on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security”.

Vietnam Provincial roadshow (including 5 provinces: Ninh Thuan, Hoa Binh, Dak Nong, Phu Yen, Quang Binh), open discussions, MoU signings and field trips were held, strengthening the collaboration between Vietnam and the Netherlands in horticulture, creating new business opportunities for Westland’s enterprises, tapping into the potential of these promising markets in Vietnam.

On March 18, 2024, members of NVHBP  visited the Center of Excellence and Innovation, VNUA.

Attending were the Platform’s coordinators, Food Ventures, Gakon Netafim, Dutch Greenhouse Delta, Hachi, Thien Dieu, Pho Hien Machine, Weather Plus companies.

The delegation was welcomed by the leaders of the International Cooperation Department, Science and Technology Department, Head of the Lab Department and representatives of the Innovation Center, President of the Student Association…

VNUA representative has introduced the Center, demonstration models and technology transfer connections, visited the Center for Food Science and Technology Laboratory, the Genetics – Plant Breeding Department and the Innovation Greenhouse. The Dutch delegation introduced its members and their activities.

The parties have agreed on the contents to be implemented in 2024, based on that NVHBP will assign experts to support seminars and training on high technology and agricultural startups with VNUA students and lecturers. VNUA will coordinate demonstrations and connect technology of NVHBP members with appropriate partners at the Center.

During the HortEx trade fair in Vietnam and the following economic trade mission, the main focus was on exploring opportunities and strengthening partnerships between the Netherlands and Vietnam in the field of horticulture. Dutch Greenhouse Delta (DGD) and the Netherlands Vietnam Horti Business Platform (NVHBP) aim to speed up positive changes through long-term collaborations, aligning with the ambitions of the Vietnamese horticultural sector.

Vietnam aims for a smart, circular, responsible, and emission-balanced approach to horticulture. Significant steps are already being taken within the Vietnamese horticultural sector towards this ambition, including transitioning from traditional soil-based cultivation to using substrates, gutters, and pots. The country is keen to collaborate with Dutch partners to address horticultural challenges and make important transitions together.

HortEx

During the 6th edition of HortEx, a trade fair for horticulture and floriculture in Vietnam, Dutch companies showcased solutions that contribute to a sustainable and profitable horticultural sector. They were represented in the NL Pavilion, individual company booths, and the joint booth of the Netherlands Vietnam Horti Business Platform and Dutch Greenhouse Delta.

Bert Desmet, Managing Director at Klasmann-Deilmann Asia, was one of the involved Dutch innovators in this joint booth and shared his thoughts: “Our participation in HortEx Vietnam through the collective booth by NVHBP and DGD has been immensely rewarding. It has enabled us to showcase our expertise, connect with industry stakeholders, and leverage the vast network of its members. We look forward to building on this platform, which holds tremendous potential for advancing sustainable horticulture in Vietnam.”

Partners in sustainable horticulture

During the seminar “Growing together: next-level solutions for the Vietnamese horticulture sector” held during the fair, the focus was on solutions that can accelerate sustainable transitions within the Vietnamese horticultural sector and the essential collaboration between Vietnam and the Netherlands. The Dutch embassy in Vietnam further elaborated on this collaboration during the seminar “Vietnam and the Netherlands partners in sustainable floriculture”, delving into the extensive research they conducted on floriculture and ornamental plant practices within Vietnam. This study contributes positively to collaborative pathways towards sustainable growth and development within the sector between both countries.

Economic Trade Mission

Following HortEx, an economic trade mission focused on horticulture, food, water, and logistics took place. During this week, the significant potential of horticulture and floriculture receives attention. Mayor of the municipality of Westland, Bouke Arends, participated in this economic trade mission, along with Dutch Greenhouse Delta, a large group of Dutch private and public parties. Bouke remarked: “The Vietnamese government has very ambitious horticultural goals. There is already a lot of horticulture, but you can tell they really want to work on the next step with more focus on sustainability and technology. Vietnam sees the Westland cluster and our business community as an example. I look back positively on the discussions we had with the Vietnamese government during this mission, including the People’s Committee of Lam Dong. We are working with them to establish a long-term horticultural relationship.”

Potential market

Dutch Greenhouse Delta participated in HortEx and the economic mission to explore opportunities for commercial collaboration with Vietnam and to promote Dutch greenhouse horticulture – with its smart solutions for societal challenges. This latter aspect received ample attention during the panel sessions ‘Agro Outlook Vietnam and Dutch Solutions’ and ‘Mekong Delta Business Forum’, in which Mirjam Boekestijn, CEO of Dutch Greenhouse Delta, actively participated.

The numerous networking moments in the program, the visit to Dalat including a meeting with the People’s Committee of Lam Dong, and the visit to Dalat Hasfarm contributed to identifying market opportunities and strengthening collaboration between the Netherlands and Vietnam.