De Heus eyes moving Asia headquarters to Vietnam's HCMC

Dutch animal feed producer Royal De Heus is considering relocating its Asia regional headquarters to Ho Chi Minh City, as Vietnam’s southern economic hub seeks to position itself as an international financial center.

Speaking at a meeting with HCMC’s Chairman Nguyen Van Duoc on Thursday, De Heus CEO Gabor Fluit said the company is closely watching the city’s ambitions and sees the move as an opportunity to strengthen Dutch-Vietnamese business ties.

He added that more Dutch firms, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, are expanding in Vietnam in sectors such as green energy, digitalization, and sustainable urban solutions.

The move came following De Heus’s deal to acquire CJ Feed & Care’s operations in some Asian markets, including Vietnam. This acquisition includes 17 feed mills, and the transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026.

Also at the meeting, Fleur Goote, executive director of the Dutch Business Association in Vietnam (DBAV), flagged persistent hurdles for foreign investors, citing lengthy and inconsistent procedures for licensing, customs, and regulatory approvals.

“We need more transparency and consistency in the legal framework to save time and reduce costs,” she said.

Goote also pointed to weak transport and logistics infrastructure, which raises costs due to congestion and limited seaport capacity, along with shortages of skilled technical and managerial labor. She further highlighted challenges tied to compliance with the EU’s new anti-deforestation regulation (EUDR), urging closer government-business cooperation.

In response, HCMC Chairman Duoc said that the city is overhauling its administrative system and accelerating digitalization to cut red tape.

He said metro lines and industrial transport corridors planned through 2035 will ease congestion and reduce logistics costs, while new initiatives will focus on workforce training.

“We hope the Netherlands can help local SMEs meet international standards and integrate deeper into global supply chains, especially with Dutch partners,” he added.

Wieste Mutters, DBAV chairman and CEO of Heineken Vietnam, underscored the Netherlands’ role as Vietnam’s largest EU investor.

Bilateral trade reached $14.2 billion in 2024, up 43% from 2020. Vietnam’s exports to the Netherlands totaled nearly $13 billion, led by electronics, footwear, textiles, seafood and coffee, while imports stood at $1.2 billion, mostly machinery, chemicals and high-tech goods.