Holland Village 2013, which transformed 23/9 Park in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 into a Dutch town, was launched at the park on Friday evening.

The 9-day event was organized by the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in HCMC  to mark the 40-year bilateral relationship between Vietnam and the Netherlands for both residents and visitors.

Under the theme of “Trade and Sustainability” visitors will have a chance to learn more about both traditional and modern Dutch culture, technology and innovation and get to know what the Dutch business community in Vietnam has to offer.

Visitors can explore informative and fun activities, take pictures in the  3D-photozone and taste Dutch food at 12 houses with Dutch traditional architecture and booths selling specialties and crafts from the Netherlands, featuring music performances, and showcasing a selection of outdoor activities.

The Dutch Business Association Vietnam (DBAV), one of the key supporters of Holland Village, will organize networking events for entrepreneurs and Vietnamese students. There will be delegations coming from the Netherlands to attend business seminars on water management and horticulture.

There will be a Photo Contest “Netherlands & Vietnam, in your eyes” where you can share your personal views on both countries. The winner of the photo contest will receive a ticket from HCMC to Amsterdam and the best photos will be on display in Holland Village.

“Holland Village, bringing the results of 40 years of entrepreneurship, creativity and cooperation altogether, back on request of the city authorities of HCMC after the success in 2010 when it was first held in Vietnam” according to the Dutch diplomatic agency in Vietnam.

Holland Village, first begun in 1980, is an event organized to promote Dutch agricultural products.

Since 1989, the event, which has been brought to many countries, including Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Canada, France, Austria and America, with an aim to offer visitors a chance to learn more about traditional and modern Dutch culture, technology, and innovation through the event.

More information about the event can be found at www.holland-village.org.