Belgian Ambassador Pieter Leenknegt has proposed a partnership between Ho Chi Minh City and Antwerp, Europe’s second‑largest seaport. The link could open new possibilities for logistics, trade and technology cooperation.

Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee chairman Nguyen Van Duoc said the city is building the Cai Mep‑Thi Vai port complex to become an international transshipment hub. Between January and October, bilateral trade between Vietnam and Belgium topped US$658 million.

Belgium currently supports 62 investment projects in Ho Chi Minh City, with a registered capital of almost $73 million. These projects show growing Belgian confidence in the city’s economic potential.

Chairman Duoc highlighted that both cities see cooperation in high‑technology, digital transformation, energy, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. He noted Vietnam’s strong pool of skilled workers and a well‑developed tech ecosystem, while Belgium brings expertise in chip production and pharma. Ambassador Leenknegt added that Belgium’s semiconductor research network offers substantial opportunities for joint training and workforce development.

If the partnership materialises, it could strengthen Vietnam’s trade routes and attract more high‑tech investment. The city‑to‑city link therefore matters for the country’s logistics, digital and manufacturing growth.