German Ambassador to Vietnam Helga Margarete Barth has expressed her country’s desire to enhance multifaceted cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation, particularly in cyber security, artificial intelligence (AI), and training.

Speaking at a press conference in Hanoi on Friday to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Barth reviewed key milestones and achievements in bilateral relations.

She highlighted the upgrade of ties to a strategic partnership in 2011 and visits by high-ranking German leaders to Vietnam in recent years, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz in 2022 and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in 2024.

Emphasizing the fruitful economic, trade, and investment cooperation over the years, the ambassador underscored Germany’s intention to strengthen collaboration with Vietnam in AI, cyber security, and training.

“We have noticed many businesses in Vietnam that are actively operating in these fields and are interested in partnering with German companies," she noted.

The ambassador also praised Vietnam as an attractive destination for foreign electronics manufacturers, including those from Germany. 

She commented that many German enterprises are keen to manufacture products in Vietnam to take advantage of the benefits of the Europe-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), while Vietnamese businesses are highly dynamic in accessing the German market.

Barth revealed that a number of Vietnamese food products, including fish sauce, will soon receive priority access to the German market.

Regarding investment, Barth highlighted that 530 German enterprises are successfully operating in Vietnam, with a total investment exceeding US$3.6 billion, generating 50,000 jobs.

In the education and training sector, the Goethe Institute in Hanoi administers exams to approximately 35,000 language students annually, with about 5,000 currently receiving training there.

Furthermore, Germany aims to attract more young Vietnamese individuals for studies and vocational training in the country.

Currently, around 200,000 Vietnamese people reside in Germany. Generations of Vietnamese in Germany have become an integral part of German society, and the country remains a key destination for Vietnamese seeking education and professional training, according to Barth.

For tourism, in 2023, 250,000 German tourists visited Vietnam – the second-highest number from Europe, after France.

Following Vietnam Airlines' launch of a direct flight to Munich last October, Vietjet is set to introduce additional direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Frankfurt and Munich.

During the press briefing, Barth also introduced a variety of activities planned for 2025 to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Germany.

According to a press release from the German Embassy, these activities will include the launch of the official anniversary website (www.50vietduc.de) and Gala-concerts ‘Berlin im Licht’ (Berlin in Lights), which will take place in Hanoi on February 21 and in Ho Chi Minh City on February 28.

Besides, there will be Career Days scheduled for April 26 in Hanoi and for June and November in Ho Chi Minh City.

The German Festival will be held at Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi from September 19 to 21.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!