Human resource cooperation contributes to strengthening Vietnam - Germany friendship

At the workshop “Training and developing human resources: Studying at universities and vocational training in the Federal Republic of Germany” held on October 24, Mr. Nguyen Toan Thang, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam - Germany Friendship Association, emphasized: human resources cooperation not only brings economic and social benefits, but also contributes to enhancing understanding and strengthening friendship between the people of the two countries.

Strengthening friendship

The workshop on Vietnam-Germany cooperation in training and developing human resources for university and vocational study in Germany was held in Hanoi, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Federal Republic of Germany (1975–2025).

The event attracted nearly 200 delegates, including representatives of German agencies such as DAAD, AHK, Goethe Institute, GIZ... and organizations and individuals operating in the field of German language training and study abroad consulting.

Overview of the workshop. (Photo: Dinh Hoa).

At the workshop, Mr. Nguyen Toan Thang said that despite the geographical distance, Vietnam and Germany still maintain a close relationship through many generations of Vietnamese people studying, researching and working in Germany. According to him, human resource cooperation between the two countries not only brings economic and social benefits, but also contributes to strengthening the friendship between the people of the two countries. He hopes that the workshop will bring many practical ideas and suggestions, promoting the Vietnam - Germany cooperation to become increasingly deep, effective and sustainable.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, emphasized: Over the past 50 years, Germany has not only been Vietnam's leading partner in trade and investment, but also an active partner in education , training and labor cooperation. Germany has become the world's leading "cradle" of academic and industrial environments, training tens of thousands of Vietnamese officials, researchers, students and workers. Vietnam is the only country in Southeast Asia with more than 100,000 students and workers who have studied and worked in Germany, mastering the German language and culture.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, spoke at the workshop. (Photo: Dinh Hoa).

In the context of the current complex and unpredictable international and regional situation, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations has made efforts in recent years to effectively implement people-to-people diplomacy activities with new approaches, diverse content, and rich forms to strengthen the friendly relations between the Vietnamese and German people. Today's workshop is a vivid demonstration of the spirit of initiative and innovation based on closely following the requirements of developing high-quality human resources in the context of the country's international integration.

Substantive and sustainable cooperation

According to experts, Germany is currently one of Vietnam's leading important partners in Europe, with comprehensive cooperation in many fields, especially education, vocational training and high-quality human resource development. In the context of the German economy needing to supplement a large number of foreign workers to maintain growth and meet the requirements of industrial development, Vietnam is considered a reliable partner in supplying skilled human resources.

The learning and working environment in Germany is considered modern, professional and disciplined, offering many opportunities for long-term development, becoming an attractive destination for young Vietnamese people. The demand for human resources in Germany is forecast to continue to increase strongly in the next decade.

Germany is also increasingly open in its policy of attracting international human resources. Many programs have recognized training degrees in Vietnam, creating conditions for workers to work in Germany immediately or shorten the additional training time. The German government also implements policies to encourage long-term settlement and allow naturalization for international students and foreign workers living and working in Germany.

According to Dr. Bui Cong Tho, Head of the Hessen State Representative Office in Vietnam (Germany), scholarship activities, youth exchanges and research cooperation between the two sides have become symbols of friendly, humane and effective relations - the foundation for expanding cooperation in higher education and developing high-quality human resources.

Since 1991, the Hessen Scholarship Program has been continuously implemented, awarding 150 to 250 scholarships each year to Vietnamese students with difficult circumstances but with excellent academic achievements. To date, more than 8,000 students have received support from this program.

The event not only provided information on opportunities for studying, vocational training and employment in Germany, but also marked the launch of the Vietnam-Germany Education and Employment Association (VGECA). This is an initiative to promote studying and working in Germany in a more transparent, professional and effective manner, meeting the needs and expectations of both sides.

Wide open opportunities, parallel challenges

Also within the framework of the workshop, in addition to expressing joy at the fact that the German labor market is opening up many new opportunities for young Vietnamese people, delegates discussed the advantages and challenges of Vietnamese students studying in Germany, along with support programs from relevant German agencies and organizations.

Referring to the opportunities and challenges in the cooperation in human resource development between Vietnam and Germany, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Nam, Head of the Vietnam-Germany Education and Employment Association, said that the language barrier is still one of the major obstacles for Vietnamese students studying abroad, stemming from the lack of orientation in learning German from the beginning. He emphasized that the German language certificate at level B1 is only the first step in the process of integration and effective work; learners need to continue to improve their language thinking and communication skills.

Head of the Vietnam-Germany Education and Employment Association Nguyen Tuan Nam. (Photo: Dinh Hoa).

According to Mr. Nam, with that orientation, the Vietnam - Germany Education and Employment Association is promoting cooperation with educational institutions and businesses in Germany to improve training quality, support the formation of clear career thinking, and at the same time become a reliable bridge between Vietnamese students and German partners.

In addition to student education, the conference also discussed issues related to teacher training and support for labor migration. Ms. Sabine Wilmes, Deputy Director of the Goethe-Institut Hanoi, said that through the “Early Integration” program, the Institute organizes cultural orientation courses, soft skills training, job interview training and personalized counseling for those who want to study, work or participate in vocational training in Germany. The program helps participants better understand the living and working environment, thereby minimizing risks during the migration process.

However, in addition to the wide-open opportunities, the German market also places increasingly high demands on the quality of international human resources. Vietnamese learners and workers need to have good German language proficiency, cultural adaptability, working skills in a modern industrial environment, and a proactive spirit of integration. Thorough preparation from language, skills to professional attitude is considered a key factor to ensure sustainable integration and long-term success in Germany.

The workshop attracted more than 200 domestic and foreign delegates. (Photo: Dinh Hoa).

In recent years, there has been a lot of inaccurate or misleading information about studying and working in Germany in Vietnam. Many students and parents do not understand the true nature of vocational study abroad programs, leading to a lack of preparation in German, life skills and career orientation, or setting unrealistic expectations.

Along with that, some organizations and individuals have taken advantage of Germany's open-door policy and parents' lack of information to make profits, even committing fraud, affecting the rights of students, the reputation of cooperation between the two countries and the image of Vietnamese students and workers in Germany.

This reality shows the urgent need for an effective coordination mechanism, increased supervision and building a common voice among legitimate units operating in the field of studying abroad and working in Germany, to ensure transparency, professionalism and sustainable development of the market.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/hop-tac-nguon-nhan-luc-gop-phan-that-chat-tinh-huu-nghi-viet-duc-217173.html