Vietnam - Germany Relations: Half a Century of Togetherness towards New Dynamics

Photo caption — Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Nguyen Dac Thanh gives an interview to VNA on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Germany diplomatic relations. Photo: Phuong Hoa/VNA correspondent in Germany

Over the past half century, from the first modest steps, the Vietnam - Germany relationship has continuously developed strongly, expanding in many fields from politics , economics, culture, education to scientific and technological cooperation. Germany is currently Vietnam's largest trading partner in Europe, and at the same time an important bridge to help Vietnam integrate more deeply into the region and the world.

The 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations is not only an occasion to look back on the past and acknowledge proud achievements, but also an opportunity for the two countries to jointly shape a new vision, bringing bilateral relations to a more comprehensive, profound and sustainable stage of cooperation in the future. On this occasion, Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany, Nguyen Dac Thanh, gave an interview to VNA's resident correspondent in Germany.

Dear Ambassador, how do you evaluate the achievements of the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and the Federal Republic of Germany over the past 50 years? What are the strengths that need to be promoted?

Over the past half century, the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Germany has developed extensively, effectively and substantially in all fields. The two countries officially established diplomatic relations in 1975, but the good foundation of the bilateral relationship originated from the unique people-to-people exchange that existed for many decades before that. Since the early years of the 20th century, President Ho Chi Minh lived in Berlin and his first impression was: "The German people are diligent, friendly and work according to a plan". Since the middle of the last century, tens of thousands of Vietnamese cadres, experts, engineers, international students and workers have studied, worked and lived in Germany, becoming a cultural bridge, contributing to strengthening the understanding and connection between the two peoples.

In terms of diplomacy, politics and security, in 2011 the two countries signed the Hanoi Joint Declaration on establishing a Strategic Partnership for the Future. Exchanges of high-level delegations and ministries, branches and localities have been taking place actively. In recent years, the then German Chancellor Olaf Schol (November 2022) and German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (January 2024) have paid official visits to Vietnam. Party and people-to-people diplomacy have been constantly expanded. The Communist Party of Vietnam has a high-level theoretical dialogue mechanism with both the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and the German Left Party. Defense and security cooperation has made remarkable progress, becoming a key and important pillar in the strategic partnership between the two countries in the context of increasing global geopolitical challenges. In November 2022, the two countries' Defense Ministries signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement, establishing a comprehensive cooperation framework on delegation exchanges, strategy sharing, training, military medicine and peacekeeping.

Economic-trade relations, business investment, and development cooperation are important pillars of the Strategic Partnership. Germany is currently Vietnam's leading trade partner in the European Union (EU) and the 12th largest in the world; and is Vietnam's fourth largest European investment partner. Nearly 15 years since the establishment of the strategic partnership, trade turnover between the two countries has doubled from 5.6 billion USD in 2011 to 11.1 billion USD in 2024 (According to German statistics, it is even higher due to the inclusion of imports through third countries). Many German enterprises are very interested in the investment and business environment in Vietnam in their strategy of diversifying and adjusting supply chains to avoid being too dependent on one economy.

Cooperation in the areas of justice - law, science and technology, education and training, health, culture and society, tourism, etc. has a long tradition and continues to achieve practical results. For example, Germany is among the top 10 tourist markets with the highest spending in Vietnam. From 2023, German tourists will continue to be unilaterally exempted from visas for up to 45 days.

The advantage in the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Germany is promoting cooperation in accordance with the foreign policies and guidelines of both sides, serving the common interests of the people, businesses and localities of the two countries. In terms of diplomacy, the two sides share common views and visions on multilateralism, maintaining order based on rules, protecting international law, the Charter and principles of the United Nations, etc. In terms of economy, the two economies are highly open, have great potential and complement each other, as well as the dynamic activities of businesses of the two countries. In particular, it is necessary to promote the strength of unique people-to-people exchanges, including the important role of the community of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese people living, working and studying in Germany.

How does the Ambassador assess the potential for cooperation between the two countries in the coming time, both in bilateral relations as well as in multilateral forums?

The potential for cooperation between the two countries is still very large, especially in the fields of economics, trade, investment, science and technology and innovation, in the context that Vietnam is preparing the foundation to enter the "take-off" phase of development and the new German coalition government prioritizes focusing on solving economic issues. The two sides are promoting the early ratification of the Vietnam - (EU) Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to create new momentum for cooperation. Vietnamese enterprises need to take advantage of opportunities to access the German market, especially in the fields of agricultural products, textiles and electronics through the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). German enterprises can expand investment and business in new fields such as digital transformation, energy conversion, international financial centers, major infrastructure projects such as high-speed railways, airports, energy, etc. in which Vietnam is interested in calling for investment. Vietnam and Germany are committed to promoting cooperation in environmental protection and sustainable development; promote projects on renewable energy, water resources management and biodiversity protection. The two sides actively promote labor cooperation and vocational training to meet the high demand for skilled labor for German businesses and localities.

Dear Ambassador, how have the two sides coordinated this year to jointly celebrate this important event?

Since the beginning of 2025, the two sides have coordinated to organize many practical activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in the capitals of both countries. Recently, the Vietnamese Embassy in Germany has successfully coordinated to organize the 80th Anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025), the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in the capital Berlin with the participation of Mr. Bodo Ramelo, Vice President of the German Federal Parliament, and hundreds of guests from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ministries and localities of Germany. In October 2025, the German Festival is expected to be held right at Hoan Kiem Lake, the center of Hanoi.

Vietnam welcomes visits by leaders of the Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and localities of Germany to Vietnam. The Vietnamese Embassy in Germany also looks forward to welcoming the delegation of senior leaders of the Vietnamese Government to officially visit Germany according to the 2025 delegation exchange plan, to affirm the political commitment of the two governments to promote the strategic partnership to new heights and meet the expectations of the German business community investing and doing business in Vietnam.

What is the focus of cooperation between the two countries in 2025 and the following years, Ambassador?

Firstly, increase contacts and exchanges of delegations at all levels, through all channels of the Party, State, National Assembly and people-to-people exchanges; continue to maintain existing cooperation mechanisms. Organize visits and meetings between high-ranking leaders of the two countries to strengthen trust and promote bilateral cooperation, exchange views on international and regional issues of mutual concern at multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the EU. Secondly, promote cooperation in science - technology and innovation to become a new pillar of cooperation and important content within the framework of the strategic partnership. Thirdly, promote strengths and exploit favorable points so that the Vietnam - Germany strategic partnership best serves the interests of the Governments and peoples of the two countries, contributing to peace, prosperity, sustainable development and innovation of the two countries and two peoples.

According to the Ambassador, what should the two countries do to continue developing bilateral relations in the coming time?

Continue to maintain and establish regular dialogue mechanisms and periodic dialogue forums at all levels to help review and evaluate progress in implementing agreements. In the coming time, it is possible to consider establishing new dialogue mechanisms to adapt to the rapid changes in the world situation.

Second, strengthen cooperation at multilateral forums. As active members of many international and regional organizations, the two countries continue to coordinate closely at multilateral forums to cooperate in addressing global challenges, as well as maintaining peace, security and sustainable development.

Third, promote cooperation in areas with strong development potential such as information technology, artificial intelligence, digital economy, green economy, circular economy, etc.

Fourth, promote business connections between the two countries through business forums, trade fairs, and bilateral investment promotion events to better exploit opportunities, cooperation potential, and strengths of each economy. Businesses play a key role in realizing agreements and cooperation goals between Vietnam and Germany.

Fifth, promote the signing and utilization of trade and investment agreements and cooperation agreements in many other fields. The EVFTA has created an important foundation for trade cooperation, so the German Government's approval of submitting the EVIPA to the German Parliament for ratification will open up more opportunities for Vietnam-Germany investment cooperation.

Sixth, promote cultural and people-to-people exchange activities through organizing cultural events, festivals, exhibitions and art exchange programs to introduce the cultural identity of each country such as the Vietnam Day Program in Germany.

Thank you very much, Ambassador.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/quan-he-viet-nam-duc-nua-the-ky-dong-hanh-huong-toi-dong-luc-moi-20250922072508561.htm