On this occasion, Vice Chairwoman Mrs. Thom introduced recent changes in Vietnam’s administrative restructuring and the new organizational model of the VNFU.

Under the Party and State’s policy to streamline the political system for greater efficiency—guided by Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW (2017) and Resolution No. 60-NQ/TW (2025)—the VNFU has been restructured under the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF). Its main advisory body is now the Department of Farmer’s Affairs, alongside two affiliated units: the Farmers’ Support Fund and Rural Area Today newspaper.

The Department of Farmer’s Affairs is tasked with advising the VFF's Standing Committee, Presidium, and Central Committee, as well as the VNFU's Executive Committee, Standing Committee, and Standing Board. Its responsibilities include researching and materializing the Party's resolutions and the State's laws concerning farmers, agriculture, and rural areas. The committee also proposes new policies related to these issues and carries out the functions and duties stipulated by the VFF Charter and Law, specifically those related to VNFU activities and the farmers' movement.

Being the socio-political organization representing Vietnam’s farmers, VNFU plays a key role in advocating for and organizing members to participate in digital transformation. The VNFU works with government ministries, local authorities, international partners, and businesses to provide digital skill training and raise awareness among farmers. The organization also helps develop smart farming models, digital cooperatives, and online agricultural markets, while promoting product sales on e-commerce platforms and safeguarding farmers' rights in the digital environment. Implementing Resolution 57 is not only a political duty but also a significant opportunity for the VNFU to empower Vietnamese farmers as key participants in the national digital transformation process.

During the meeting, participants reviewed recent Dutch-funded projects, assessed their impacts, and discussed lessons learned. They also explored opportunities to apply Dutch technologies in Vietnam’s agriculture, particularly in tackling salinity and water resource challenges. Discussions also touched on potential cooperation with local authorities, farmer organizations, cooperatives, and businesses.

Mr. Peter Prins, Director of Land Water Food Consult Company Limited, outlined the purpose of his visit and introduced a multi-year program supported by the Dutch Embassy in Vietnam, aimed at building climate-resilient agriculture. He expressed the company’s commitment to further collaboration with Vietnam, emphasizing public-private partnerships in future projects.

Vice Chairwoman Bui Thi Thom called on the Netherlands Water Partnership Network and its members to continue supporting VNFU in connecting with partners working on climate change, salinity intrusion, agricultural marketing, new technologies and digital transformation. She also encouraged more opportunities for capacity building for VNFU staff and farmers, particularly in forecasting and adapting to climate change.

She further proposed strengthening knowledge exchange, enabling VNFU staff to learn from Dutch expertise in science, technology, and digital agriculture through study tours, workshops, and joint research programs in the Netherlands and beyond in the coming time.