During its conference, the association elected former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dao Xuan Hoc as its Chairman.

In his speech Loc emphasized that the association aims to strengthen mutual understanding and boost multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries.

He said the association’s logo has the image of the lotus and tulip, the two countries’ national flowers.

Ambassador Scheffers spoke highly of Vietnam’s dramatic change from an aid recipient into a trade and investment partner of the Netherlands. He said the two countries will continue realising their leaders’ common conception and expanding cooperation, especially in their potential areas such as maritime transport, and water and energy management.