EU delegation introduces multiple potential cooperation projects with the Mekong Delta

On September 18, H.E. Julien Guerrier, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Vietnam, together with representatives from the embassies of EU member states, visited Can Tho City to learn about its economic development and investment cooperation opportunities. The delegation was received by Mr. Tran Chi Hung, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, along with leaders of relevant departments and agencies.

H.E. Julien Guerrier, Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, emphasized that the Mekong Delta holds tremendous potential for cooperation with the European Union. However, this potential has not yet been fully explored or harnessed, which means there is still considerable scope for both sides to expand collaboration and move toward sustainable development in the near future.

According to Ambassador Guerrier, the EU has already implemented more than 50 projects in the Mekong Delta with a total value exceeding 0.5 billion euros. Remarkably, about one-third of this amount comes in the form of non-refundable grants. These projects span a wide range of sectors, including education and training, renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, food systems, and logistics infrastructure. Importantly, all of them are designed with the overarching goal of strengthening the Delta’s resilience and adaptive capacity in the face of climate change, with the long-term vision of turning the Mekong Delta into a model of sustainable development for other delta regions across Asia.

The Ambassador reiterated that the European Union has consistently stood as a stable and trustworthy partner for Vietnam in general, and for the Mekong Delta region, including Can Tho City, in particular. Looking ahead, the EU is committed to further deepening cooperation and remains ready to mobilize greater investment and resources to unlock opportunities across these priority areas.

On this occasion, Ambassador Julien Guerrier also introduced a number of upcoming cooperation projects between the EU and Vietnam. Among them is a project focusing on the circular economy, designed to support the agricultural and environmental sectors, with funding of up to €11.5 million and the participation of two EU member states, Italy and France. In addition, the EU will soon launch another project worth the same amount (€11.5 million) aimed at greening industrial zones, with Finland and Germany taking part.

The Ambassador also highlighted another major initiative, with a budget of approximately €40 million. This project seeks to provide green skills and digital skills training for workers in factories and industrial parks, thereby enhancing workforce readiness for the twin green and digital transitions.

Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People’s Committee, Mr. Tran Chi Hung, underscored that international cooperation has played a particularly vital role in the city’s development over the past years. He highly valued the expertise, contributions, and support of the EU and its member states in advancing sustainable development models, promoting environmental protection, and strengthening the institutional capacity of local authorities.

Mr. Tran Chi Hung expressed his hope that in the coming period, the EU would further strengthen cooperation with the Mekong Delta region in general, and with Can Tho City in particular, in key areas such as environmental protection, green transition, digital transformation, innovation, and smart urban development. He also extended an invitation for the EU to participate in programs and projects related to climate change adaptation, renewable energy, wastewater and solid waste treatment, and sustainable agriculture, whether through financial support, technical exchanges, or investment initiatives.

In particular, the Vice Chairman called on the EU Delegation to accompany and support Vietnam in its efforts to soon have the European Commission’s “yellow card” on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing lifted.

At present, Can Tho City is home to eight FDI projects and four ODA projects from EU member state enterprises. These investments focus on sectors including tourism, plywood production from rice husks, industrial equipment, digital services, beverages, aquaculture feed, irrigation systems for climate resilience, wastewater treatment, healthcare facilities, and green urban development.