At a working session on November 17 with a delegation from the Canadian Embassy in Vietnam, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Diep, Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee, expressed appreciation for Canada’s support through the UN Development Programme (UNDP), which has funded the smart climate-resilient coastal community project.

She affirmed the city’s readiness to work closely with partners to ensure effective implementation and voiced hopes that the project will be expanded, particularly in areas vulnerable to flooding and saltwater intrusion.

Can Tho proposed broadening cooperation with Canada and UNDP in education, postgraduate training, information technology and cybersecurity, renewable energy, wastewater treatment, processing industries, logistics, and transport infrastructure development, while also seeking further initiatives related to climate change adaptation.

Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Nickel James Stafford underlined that Vietnam and Canada have enjoyed over five decades of bilateral relations, with Vietnam serving as Canada’s largest trading partner in ASEAN. He noted that while the Mekong Delta is a major hub for agricultural and aquatic products, it is also among the regions most heavily affected by climate change and sea-level rise, especially coastal communities.

The Ambassador welcomed the installation of seven hydro-meteorological stations providing early climate and hydrological warnings for coastal residents and commended the progress of other project activities. Canada, he said, is proud to cooperate with Can Tho on the smart coastal community climate adaptation initiative and hopes Canadian experts and scientists will continue contributing their expertise.

Can Tho currently hosts two Canadian-invested FDI projects worth a total of around US$1.2 million; one ODA project valued at more than CAD4.2 million (US$2.98 million); and one NGO-funded project worth CAD896,667, all underway.

During the first nine months of 2025, Can Tho’s exports to Canada reached US$32.57 million, mainly comprising aquatic products, agricultural produce, processed foods, garments, pharmaceuticals and footwear. Imports totalled US$2.52 million, largely made up of paper production materials.

Vietnam, Canada eye stronger economic, trade, investment ties

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Canadian Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu have discussed ways to boost economic, trade, and investment cooperation, as well as coordination in the ASEAN–Canada relations, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).