More than 100 cyclists ride to spread the message on environmental protection. (Photo: haiphong.gov.vn) Hai Phong (VNA) – The northern port city of Hai Phong was the centre of the Dutch Days event on September 21-22 with a wide range of cultural activities held by the city’s People’s Committee and the Dutch Embassy to Vietnam to mark 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations (April 9, 1973).
A bike ride, led by Chairman of the city People’s Committee Nguyen Van Tung and Dutch Ambassador Elsbeth Akkerman, opened a series of activities.
More than 100 cyclists started their journey from Hai Phong Opera House and rode through Nguyen Du flower garden and Tam Bac lake to spread the message on environmental protection.
Also, local peoples and visitors to the city had chances to experience the Dutch culture, including live music, dance performances, food corners, and quizzes.
According to Ambassador Elsbeth Akkerman, the “Dutch Days” event aimed to not only share knowledge in macro-economic issues like building smart port toward a circulated economy, but also connect people through an extravaganza of cultural events.
Chairman of the city People’s Committee Tung said that Dutch investors have poured 128 million USD in ten projects in Hai Phong so far. Regarding education and training, the Vietnam Maritime University and the Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy have set up cooperative ties with Dutch counterparts.
Hai Phong city appreciates Dutch partners’ contributions to the local socio-economic development, he said, adding that the city always rolls out red carpet for Dutch business and friends to land investments and live in the city.
The Dutch Days are an initiative from the Dutch Embassy and Consulate-General to celebrate 45 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands, and were successfully brought to Da Nang city and Lam Dong province’s Da Lat city.
The same event will be organised in Can Tho city in November.-VNA
VNA
