Content
Asia
Viet Nam has an ambitious goal: it intends to attain the status of an industrialised country by 2020. By pursuing a policy of gradual 'national renewal' (Doi Moi), the socialist republic has achieved remarkable economic results over the last 25 years. Conditions for private-sector activity and international investment have improved significantly, and export business has developed well.
In 2008 the global economic and financial crisis dealt Viet Nam a painful blow. But the government's economic stimulus programme produced results – Viet Nam recovered quickly. In 2010 economic growth was again at 6.8 per cent. There are nevertheless difficulties to be tackled: foreign trade is significantly in deficit and the inflation rate is rising, as are food prices. The government has therefore decided that stabilising the economy should be a priority, even if growth slows as a result.
In the sphere of foreign policy, Viet Nam is endeavouring to deepen its relationships with neighbouring countries. In late 2008, for instance, Viet Nam reached agreement with China on the mainland border shared by the two countries. Viet Nam now also plays an increasingly active role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Vietnamese-German relations
Relations between Viet Nam and Germany are good. After the reunification of North and South Viet Nam in 1976 the German Democratic Republic (GDR) maintained close contacts with the newly founded Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. Upon the reunification of Germany, bilateral development cooperation was resumed in 1990, since when it has achieved a total financial volume of more than 1.5 billion euros. It focuses on the three areas of sustainable economic development, environmental protection and resource conservation, and health care.
The relationship between Viet Nam and Germany involves many close personal contacts. Many Vietnamese trained, studied or worked in the former GDR and later returned to their home country. An estimated 100,000 people in Viet Nam speak German. Many of them remain in touch with German companies and research institutes, or are involved in Vietnamese-German development cooperation.
Some 83,000 Vietnamese currently live in Germany. There is thus a unique bridge between the two countries and this is reflected in a wide range of scientific and cultural cooperation agreements.
German Embassy

German Embassy in Viet Nam
29, Tran Phu
Hanoi
Viet Nam
Phone: +84 / 4 / 3 845 38 36
Fax: +84 / 4 / 3 845 38 38






