STEP-BY-STEP INCEPTION PHASE

Inception in Can Tho City

Starting in the city of Can Tho, the People’s Committee (PC) of the city and the Can Tho University (CTU) were approached to discuss a possible partnership. After these discussion, Blue Dragon Program (BDP) has achieved these initial results as follow:

• In these early discussions, the PC showed interest and presented their needs for cooperation and capacity building. The PC of Can Tho appointed the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) as the coordinating department for the city of Can Tho.
• Letter of Intent (LoI) between BDP with the PC of Can Tho.
• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BDP with Can Tho University.
• During the visit in September 2018, a workshop was organized by CTU to discuss the Blue Dragon Program (BDP) proposal and specifically possible case projects to link to the proposed Blue Dragon Pools.
• In discussion with DARD, DOC, DONRE, and CTU the long list was shortened, and in January 2019 several possible projects were visited. One of the projects is the completed O Mon – Xa No Polder project submitted by DARD of Can Tho City. This project is also situated in two regions neighboring the city of Can Tho. The construction of the project was completed in 2018 and the project has now been transferred to the respective departments to start with operation and maintenance. Therefore the project is both suitable to link to the proposed Operation & Maintenance theme of a Blue Dragon Pool and to promote interregional cooperation.

Inception in Kien Giang and Hau Giang provinces

Subsequently, there was a trip in April 2019 to Kien Giang and Hau Giang province

• The PC of Kien Giang also appointed the DARD as coordinating department, and a meeting was organized with the presence of DOC and DONRE as well.
• In Hau Giang province, a meeting with the PC was organized which resulted in DARD being appointed as the coordinating department.
• Both provinces have been expressed their willingness to participate in the program through the signed LOIs and Decisions of Approving Blue Dragon Program - Phase 1.

Inception with Embassy of the Netherlands in Ha Noi

During two visits to Ha Noi in 2018, the proposed Blue Dragon Program was discussed with Mr. Laurent Umans from the Embassy of the Netherlands, and input and comments were received. Mr. Robbert Moree, delta commissioner from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water was also met and welcomed the program.

Vietnam – Netherlands Intergovernmental Committee Meeting

• Each year the government of Vietnam and The Netherlands meet alternately in Ha Noi or The Hague.  On 9 April 2019, Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Minister Cora Van Nieuwenhuizen (Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management) met their Vietnamese counterparts in Ha Noi.
• The Blue Dragon Program was on the agenda as well and was presented and discussed as the result of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Construction signed in 2016. The need and proposed work packages of the Blue Dragon Program were stressed and it was agreed to discuss the progress of the Blue Dragon Program at each upcoming intergovernmental committee meeting.

Water Business Dialogues

• On 11 April 2019, Minister Cora Van Nieuwenhuizen visited Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and opened the Water Business Dialogues. Her keynote speech addressed the water-related challenges of the Mekong Delta, welcomed the proposed Blue Dragon partnership, and wished the partnership success.

• Presenting at the Water Business Dialogues, first four partners of the partnership, Vice Director of DARD of Can Tho City, Vice-Rector and Vice Dean of the CTU, program coordinator of BDP expressed their commitment to the program and stressed its need for cooperation between regions/provinces and departments and the need to train staff throughout the Mekong Delta, and especially for the upcoming Mekong Delta Integrated Regional Plan will result in projects to be executed which also requires trained staff.