Brussels (VNA) - As part of efforts to expand cooperation and promote its potential, a delegation from the northern port city of Hai Phong, led by Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Le Tien Chau, has paid a working visit to Antwerp, Belgium — one of Europe’s leading logistics hubs.
Hai Phong and Antwerp - two port cities of strategic importance in Southeast Asia and Europe, respectively - share many notable similarities, as both serve as gateways for imports and exports, handle enormous volumes of cargo each year, and function as major logistics hubs for vast economic regions.
Hai Phong, with its Lach Huyen – Dinh Vu – Cat Hai port system, has become the largest port in northern Vietnam and one of the largest in Southeast Asia, offering convenient connections to Northeast Asian markets through multiple modes of transport. Meanwhile, Antwerp-Bruges - Europe’s second-largest port - leads in handling chemical products and automobiles, processes up to 290 million tonnes of cargo and more than 10 million TEUs annually, and provides deep connections into Europe’s inland transport network.
On December 4, local businesses and government agencies attended a seminar on exploring new-generation investment destinations in Hai Phong.
Chau affirmed that Hai Phong always views the success of businesses as the key gauge of administration performance, and considers their goals and challenges as its own responsibility. He stressed the city’s commitment to accompanying foreign investors and creating the most favourable conditions for them to operate with confidence and achieve long-term, sustainable growth.
From the business perspective, Bruno Jaspaert, CEO at DEEP C Industrial Zones and Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), highlighted the strong advantages European companies can gain when shifting operations to Hai Phong.
According to him, the appeal lies not only in the robust support from local authorities but also in a comprehensive package of investor incentives, including tax benefits and the development of a local free trade zone. Bruno described Hai Phong as a strategic gateway for northern Vietnam, mirroring Antwerp’s role in Europe - a place where raw materials enter and finished products exit, connecting to vast markets beyond.
Nabilla Ait Daoud, Antwerp’s Vice Mayor in charge of education and socio-economic affairs, expressed her desire to strengthen cooperation with Hai Phong and emphasised the 28-year partnership between the city and the DEEP C industrial Zones. She praised the collaboration among ACKERMANS & VAN HAAREN, DEEP C and Hai Phong, describing it as clear evidence of the potential for sustainable development built on a foundation of trusted economic ties.
During the seminar, leaders of the Hai Phong Party Committee and the DEEP C Industrial Zones exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding, marking a new step forward in efforts to attract strategic investment.
With its exceptional seaport position, increasingly modern industrial infrastructure and open policies, Hai Phong is asserting itself as a promising destination for European investors looking to expand into Asia./.
Vietnam seeks stronger cooperation with EU, Belgium in environment, sustainable development
Acting Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang has recently met with European Union (EU) and Belgian officials in Brussels to enhance comprehensive cooperation in green growth and long-term sustainability, highlighting untapped potential in environmental and agricultural ties.
