The Netherlands’ Deputy Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water management began a four day visit to Vietnam to strengthen cooperation on water management on Monday.

Tineke Huizinga is leading a delegation of 30 leading Dutch businesses and institutions in water management to explore opportunities to work with Vietnamese partners, said the Dutch Embassy.

The official visit to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City would also focus on mitigating the effects of climate change adaption, according to the embassy.

Huizinga is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development today in Hanoi.

During her visit, the deputy minister will also witness the signing of an arrangement between Ho Chi Minh City’s People’s Committee and the Netherlands Embassy to start a joint flood control programme. The goal of the programme is to alleviate flooding and inundation problems in HCMC and surrounding areas, said the embassy.

She will also attend a seminar titled ‘Climate Change & Water Management in the Mekong Delta and HCMC to be held in HCMC on Thursday.

The Water Resources University in Hanoi, Vietnam National University and a number of Dutch universities also plan to launch the new Institute for Climate Change Adaptation and Water Management this week.

Reported by Huong Le