Tran Van Nam, standing vice chairman of Binh Duong Provincial People's Committee and Mary Ann Schreurs, deputy mayor of Eindhoven City (Netherlands) signed a cooperation agreement between two localities of Vietnam and the Netherlands on January 16. 2015.

Cooperation to build smart city

For many years, Eindhoven city located in North Brabant province (Netherlands) has had a close connection with Binh Duong province of Vietnam.

On January 16, 2015, Binh Duong province and Eindhoven city (North Brabant province, Netherlands) signed a memorandum of understanding on strengthening the friendship and expanding cooperation activities in the following areas: planning, infrastructure development, urban construction, economic development, science and technology, health and education.

Eindhoven City has sent experts to assist Binh Duong in the development and implementation of the Binh Duong Smart City Project through various scales, emphasizing cooperation between organizations and individuals under the cooperation model: State - enterprise - school/research institute.

Since then, Binh Duong has gradually implemented the Smart City Project and achieved some results. Those results include the establishment of an incubator, Fablab, Techlab, the LED urban lighting project in cooperation with Philips Electronics of Eindhoven.

The result of the cooperation efforts of the two localities is that for two consecutive years (2021-2022), Binh Duong entered the Top 7 communities with smart development strategies in the world, according to Intelligent Community Forum (ICF).

Eindhoven also committed to invest and called for investment in Binh Duong. Cooperation between the two localities in the 2016-2021 period helps Binh Duong achieve many results. The number of businesses doubled, reaching more than 45,000.

Binh Duong New City - World Trade Center was also established. The locality has a great improvement in education and infrastructure. Provincial FDI reached US$12 billion - far exceeding the target of US$7 billion set. Binh Duong's per capita income is also high.

According to a representative of Binh Duong Provincial People's Committee, the cooperation between the two localities has achieved many encouraging results, changing thinking and strategies for urban construction and development planning.

It contributes positively to the socio-economic development of Binh Duong.

An online conference between Binh Duong province leaders, Eindhoven city leaders and experts aims to share information related to smart cities and orient the project implementation in the new normal period (Photo: Binh Duong Newspaper)

Joost Helms, director of Eindhoven International Project Office (EIPO), is quite proud of the collaborative work taking place in Binh Duong.

“Through cooperation with Binh Duong, we have benefited a lot and achieved remarkable results. However, success is only part of the story, more importantly, that success brings a better life to the people of Binh Duong province."

During his visit to Brainport Eindhoven (Netherlands) on December 11, 2022, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh appreciated the close cooperation between Eindhoven and Binh Duong over the years, especially in science and technology, infrastructure development, education - training.

It helps Binh Duong achieve important results in the orientation of building a smart city. The Prime Minister suggested North Brabant province replicate the cooperation model with other localities of Vietnam.

Cooperation on climate change adaptation

Cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Rotterdam city has also achieved positive results. In March 2015, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and the Rotterdam city government signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in climate change adaptation and water management.

The city of Rotterdam has supported Ho Chi Minh City to build and implement the program towards the sea, adapting to climate change. The two localities are also conducting effective cooperation programs on low-carbon projects, capacity building for small and medium enterprises.

Phan Van Mai, chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee (right) receives Ahmed Aboutaleb, mayor of Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo: Xuan Khu/VNA)

Speaking at the meeting with Ahmed Aboutaleb, mayor of Rotterdam on July 26, 2022, Phan Van Mai, chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee said the management level, experience and technology of the city of Rotterdam in climate change adaptation have brought useful lessons to Ho Chi Minh City.

It is expected that Thu Duc city of Ho Chi Minh City will be the locality to receive and implement specific cooperation projects in water resource management, flood control, and climate change adaptation.

In September 2013, An Giang province signed a cooperation agreement with Oss city (North Brabant province, Netherlands). The two localities have implemented cooperation in the fields of economy and high-tech agriculture, water management, and climate change adaptation.

The establishment of twinning relations between localities of Vietnam and the Netherlands has made practical contributions to enhancing friendship, mutual understanding and the common development of multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

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