Vietwater: Intensive knowledge exchange between Vietnamese and Dutch water experts

Many organisations were represented, including Nijhuis Industries, Paques, Royal HaskoningDHV, Van Essen Instruments, HAL24K, Deltares, TU-Delft/VP-Delta, Arcadis and CDR International. Thematically, there was also Dutch expertise on the Water-Agri-Food nexus, both in the Pavilion and during a workshop. 

The Netherlands Pavilion at Vietwater was put together by NWP within the framework of the Partners for Water Programme and in close cooperation with the Netherlands Embassy and Consulate General. 

Seminar on Integrated and Sustainable Urban Water Future

Wednesday 7 November was a highlight with the seminar ‘Building an Integrated and Sustainable Urban Water Future’. It was a joint Dutch initiative of the Netherlands Embassy, the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City and NWP. After the official welcome by Carel Rigter, the Consul General, Henk Ovink, The Special Envoy for International Water Affairs, hosted a dialogue with experts from Vietnam and the Netherlands. The dialogue covered 'too much, too little, too dirty water’ issues and all the complexities that come with climate change, population growth and rapid urbanisation. The plenary session was followed by two parallel tracks on urban challenges and on water technology and the circular economy. Both sessions were well attended by international audiences from the region. The seminar was followed by a festive reception at the Netherlands Pavilion.

High level representatives visit Netherlands Pavilion

At the opening day of the fair, the Netherlands Pavilion was visited by international VIPs including Henk Ovink, who showed a keen interest in Dutch technology. The atmosphere at the Pavilion was great, and the Pavilion attracted a lot of visitors who wanted to know more about Dutch technology. 

Workshop Water-Agri-Food nexus

The Water-Agri-Food nexus held a workshop on Developing a Sustainable value chain approach. This workshop, which included many invited Vietnamese guests, was developed and organised by NWP. It consisted of two parts: presentations from Dutch and Vietnamese experts on water related challenges and problems, followed by short pitches by Vietnamese and Dutch participants. These five minute pitches clearly presented some of the challenges and potential solutions. Thereafter, there were two round table sessions that discussed the issues put on the table. The workshop was much appreciated by all the participants and new contacts were made which will certainly bring the value chain approach further.