Vietnamese, Dutch localities step up cooperation

Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands Pham Viet Anh visits a farm in Oss city. (Photo: VNA)

Amsterdam (VNA) – Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands Pham Viet Anh recently paid a working visit to the eastern city of Oss at the invitation of its Mayor Wobine Buijs-Claudemans.

As part of the North Brahant province, Oss city is strong in industrial production and traditional agriculture with pastures and farms that operate under a closed-loop system, from animal husbandry to the processing of meat, eggs, and dairy products in service of local residents.

Despite its small size, Oss still has a nature reserve, modern production, and a farming area, which create a harmonious overall picture.

The ambassador visited a farm run by a young couple who inherited it from the previous generation. They employ 55 workers and raise 350 milch cows. Their products are sold in a fairly large store. The farm also has a daycare centre for their workers' children who are exposed to cattle, hay, and grass from a young age. Through this approach, local farmers have passed on the love for the job, the land, and the rural scenery from generation to generation.

According to the Mayor, while in many rural areas in Europe, most young people leave to find attractive jobs in the cities, new residential areas are still emerging in Oss.

The city already signed a twinned agreement with Vietnam’s southern province of An Giang. She hoped that the two localities will promote cooperation after a period of stagnation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a reception for Anh, the leader of North Brabant province also expressed hope to strengthen cooperation with Vietnamese localities./.