On the occasion of the visit of HNLMS De Ruyter of the Royal Netherlands Navy to Hai Phong City, Vietnam Maritime University (VMU) actively participated in and coordinated a series of academic, cultural, and diplomatic activities. These events contributed to strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Hai Phong City and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as well as fostering closer ties between VMU and its Dutch partners.
HNLMS De Ruyter of the Royal Netherlands Navy made a port call in Hai Phong.
On May 29, 2026, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Xuan Duong, President of Vietnam Maritime University and Chairman of the Vietnam - Netherlands Friendship and Cooperation Association of Hai Phong City, attended the official reception for the Royal Netherlands Navy delegation alongside city leaders and representatives of relevant agencies and organizations.
The following day, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Xuan Duong, together with VMU staff, lecturers, and students, participated in the Netherlands- Hai Phong Friendship Cycling Event 2026. The event was organized to celebrate the visit of HNLMS De Ruyter to the port city of Hai Phong while promoting green living, sustainable development, and environmental protection. It also served as a meaningful cultural exchange activity, enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the people of Vietnam and the Netherlands.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Xuan Duong together with Mr. Tran Van Quan, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong People’s Committee, H.E.Mr. Kees van Baar - the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Vietnam, and Rear Admiral Jeanette Morang
Later that day, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Duc, Vice President of VMU, attended a reception onboard HNLMS De Ruyter. On behalf of the University, he presented commemorative gifts to Rear Admiral Jeanette Morang and Commander Rodger de Wit. During the reception, representatives of the Royal Netherlands Navy expressed their appreciation for VMU’s strengths and achievements in maritime education and training. Both sides also exchanged views on areas of mutual interest, particularly maritime education, academic exchange, human resource development, and potential future cooperation.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Duc presented commemorative gifts to Rear Admiral Jeanette Morang (left) and Commander Rodger de Wit (right)
As part of the cooperation program between VMU and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Vietnam, the University also welcomed Mr. Jens Kuitert, Second Secretary of the Embassy, and Prof. Mamadou Hébié of Leiden University, former Assistant to the President of the International Court of Justice, on the afternoon of May 29.
During the meeting, both sides discussed opportunities for expanding cooperation in maritime education, scientific research, and international exchange. The Dutch guests expressed their appreciation for VMU’s achievements and its active engagement in international cooperation activities.
Prof. Mamadou Hébié also delivered a lecture on maritime delimitation issues under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982 for VMU lecturers and students. The lecture provided valuable insights into contemporary issues in international maritime law and attracted considerable interest from participants.
Prof. Mamadou Hébié delivers a speech attended by a large number of VMU lecturers and students
As one of the Vietnam’s leading maritime universities with longstanding partnerships with Dutch institutions and organizations, VMU has consistently supported and contributed to activities within the Hai Phong - Netherlands cooperation framework. Its active involvement in the series of events held during the visit of HNLMS De Ruyter to Hai Phong reaffirmed the University’s proactive role in international integration and global engagement, while further strengthening the longstanding relationship between Hai Phong and the Netherlands, as well as between VMU and its Dutch counterparts./.