The visit, the first by a Vietnamese President since Germany was reunified in 1990, marks 40 years of bilateral diplomatic ties. Vietnam and Germany established a strategic partnership in 2011 on the occasion of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to Vietnam.

Vietnam-Germany friendship, comprehensive cooperation

Vietnam-Germany cooperation has developed steadily, particularly in politics and diplomacy through high level visit exchanges and effective cooperative mechanisms. Chu Quy Cap, former Vietnamese ambassador to Germany and Vice President of the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association, said, “Vietnam and Germany signed a joint statement to establish their strategic partnership in 2011.

At that time Germany was one of a few countries who established strategic partnerships with Vietnam. Bilateral relations have been consolidated by frequent visit exchanges, which resulted in important political agreements.”

Germany has been one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the EU. Germany imports 20% of the Vietnamese goods exported to the EU. Two-way trade in 2014 was US$7.8 billion and is expected to increase 10% this year.

Germany was active in negotiations on the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and considers Vietnam a potentially fast developing market in Asia.

The two countries have implemented a number of cooperative projects including a German House and a metro route in HCM City. Chief Representative of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (EFE) in Vietnam Erwin Schweisshelm said, “Germany is now an important partner of Vietnam in the EU. German direct investment in Vietnam has grown significantly.”

Germany has given approximately US$2 billion worth of official development assistance to Vietnam. Germany is one of Vietnam’s most important partners in education and vocational training.

There are approximately 100,000 Vietnamese people in Germany and a similar number of German speaking people in Vietnam, which will be crucial to deepening mutual understanding between the two countries.

Cooperation prospects

Vietnam and Germany have been working closely together in development cooperation, environmental protection, education, science, and technology. The two countries are working on a Vietnam-Germany University and encouraging German businesses to invest in vocational training in Vietnam. Germany has helped Vietnam develop solar and wind energy.

President Truong Tan Sang’s visit seeks new cooperation opportunities and momentum for the two countries’ strategic partnership.