Closing Ceremony of the “Maritime Governance and International Law: Skills Training” Course and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam and Clingendael Academy

The programme consisted of four training days of training at DAV and one training session aboard the Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS De Ruyter in Hai Phong on 31 May 2026. The course was designed to strengthen the international law knowledge and policy-making skills of cross-agency Vietnamese officials so that they could further disseminate the values gained to their colleagues. Alongside expert lectures, the course opened ample opportunities for participants to exchange practical experiences and analyze case studies, strengthening cross-sectoral cooperation.

The course welcomed more than 40 participants, representing various ministries, agencies, and organizations in Hanoi, building a broader inter-agency network of experts and practitioners on maritime governance and international law. The course was delivered by a distinguished group of experts from Clingendael Academy, including Mr. Max Eleveld, Ms. Amanda Klemann, and Ms. Anne Aagten.

The Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam and Clingendael Academy also organized the closing ceremony of their cooperation programme for the 2022–2026 period. The event was attended by Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Viet Nam Kees van Baar, Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, President of the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam, Mr. Max Eleveld, Head of Academy Diplomacy Programme, Clingendael Academy, as well as trainers, experts, and alumni who had participated in the series of training courses over the past four years.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Viet Nam Kees van Baar stated that Viet Nam and the Netherlands share a strong commitment to addressing global challenges, so bilateral cooperation in upholding the international rule of law is so important. Initiatives like this course are valuable not only because they strengthen ties between the two institutions, but also because they deepen mutual understanding, and provide an opportunity to explore different interpretations of international law, and to learn from one another's perspectives and experiences. According to the Ambassador, this is precisely the value of exchanges and cooperation, because effective responses to global challenges and the peaceful settlement of disputes require not only a sound understanding of legal frameworks, but also an understanding of the different schools of thought, interpretations and applications of international law.

Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, President of the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam emphasized that in the face of increasingly complex maritime and environmental challenges, and for Viet Nam, a country that consistently upholds international law, the United Nations Charter, and an international rules-based order as cornerstones of its foreign policy, strengthening the capacity of government officials and policy practitioners in international law is not simply an academic endeavour; it is a strategic and essential requirement for effective governance, sound policymaking, and constructive international engagement. Dr. Nguyen Hung Son noted that the true success of this programme cannot be measured solely by the number of courses delivered or participants trained. Its most valuable achievement lies in the community of professionals that has been built. Through dialogue, exchange, and mutual learning, the programme has connected experts and practitioners from different institutions and disciplines, fostering a network that will continue to contribute to policy development and international cooperation long after the programme itself has concluded.

Mr. Max Eleveld, Head of  Academy Diplomacy Programme at Clingendael Academy, highly appreciated the achievements of the cooperation programme between the two academies. Since its launch in Ha Noi in 2022, wide range of meaningful and memorable capacity-building activities in international law, the law of the sea, and maritime governance have been delivered. These activities they have brought international law, and particularly the law of the sea, closer to practice, making it tangible and directly relevant to the daily work of participants.

Over the course of four years from 2022 to 2026, 10 training courses were successfully organised in both Viet Nam and the Netherlands, engaging more than 250 officials across ministries, agencies, universities, and research institutions.  The programme topics focused on international law, the law of the sea, international environmental law, international dispute settlement, maritime governance, diplomacy, and policy-making skills.

Notably, 2023 marked a particularly memorable moment when Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte directly presented certificates to participants in Ha Noi, demonstrating the recognition of  participants’ commitment and effort, as well as the Dutch Government’s strong support for  capacity-building cooperation with Viet Nam.

As the four-year cooperation programme comes to an end, it leaves behind a significant imprint in international law capacity-building efforts in Viet Nam. The achievements of the programme will continue to serve as a solid foundation for future cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam and Clingendael Academy, as well as between Viet Nam and the Netherlands, particularly in the fields of international law, maritime governance, sustainable development, and human resource development. These efforts will further contribute to strengthening the Comprehensive Partnership between Viet Nam and the Netherlands in the years ahead.

Do Ngan
Photos: Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam