On November 13, 2025, a new maritime training simulator system was inaugurated in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, by a joint venture known as UT STC, which comprises the University of Transport Ho Chi Minh City and the Dutch training group STC. The facility is equipped with two Dutch-standard bridge simulators that offer expansive 240- and 360-degree views, featuring multiple vessel models and realistic training scenarios that encompass both Vietnamese and international waters.
Additionally, the center includes a Kongsberg engine room simulator that closely mimics the intricacies of machinery spaces, control rooms, and high-voltage systems. To ensure comprehensive training, the facility also houses cargo handling simulators, Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), and Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS) simulators, alongside areas dedicated to survival and firefighting training that meet the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) requirements.
The opening event was attended by Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Aukje de Vries, who remarked on the simulator’s significance, emphasizing its role in strengthening the long-standing maritime partnership between Vietnam and the Netherlands. Minister de Vries expressed the Dutch government’s commitment to facilitate technology transfer and to enhance training that aligns with international standards.
The establishment of this training center is expected to provide Vietnamese students with more hands-on training opportunities, thereby enhancing their skills and qualifications as seafarers in the global shipping industry. With the advent of this advanced facility, Vietnam aims to bolster its position in the maritime sector by producing highly qualified maritime professionals ready to meet the demands of the international market. This initiative not only exemplifies the collaboration between Vietnam and the Netherlands but also signifies a strategic investment in the future of maritime training and education in the region.
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