On June 17, 2026, Hai Phong City solemnly welcomed and held a high-level working session with a senior delegation from the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany, led by Mr. Bodo Ramelow, Deputy President of the Bundestag. This visit is a landmark event, not only reaffirming Hai Phong's status as a dynamic maritime economic hub but also serving as a testament to the enduring friendship between Vietnam and Germany as they celebrate over half a century of diplomatic relations.
A High-Level Diplomatic Engagement
The reception took place at the City Convention and Performance Center. Accompanying Deputy President Ramelow—who has a distinguished political career including serving as the President of the German Bundesrat and Minister-President of Thuringia—was Ms. Helga Margarete Barth, the German Ambassador to Vietnam, along with other senior parliamentary and embassy officials.
Representing Hai Phong were the leaders of the City People's Committee, joined by directors from key departments, including Foreign Affairs, Construction, Finance, Industry and Trade, and the Hai Phong Economic Zone Authority (HEZA). The session focused on substantive exchanges regarding seaport development, infrastructure planning, and enhancing trade cooperation for German enterprises operating within the city.
Foundations of a Deepened Partnership
The significance of this visit is rooted in the robust Vietnam-Germany Strategic Partnership, which has flourished for over a decade. Germany is currently the largest economy in the European Union (EU) and remains Vietnam's leading trade partner within the bloc.
Hai Phong serves as a "golden destination" for high-quality German investment. As of June 2026, Germany has 14 direct investment projects in the city, with a total registered capital of 273.61 million USD. A standout example is the Tesa Group's adhesive tape production facility at the DEEP C2B Industrial Zone, representing an investment of 90.77 million USD.
Beyond economics, the relationship encompasses vital social and environmental cooperation:
- Local Government Cooperation: The sister-city relationship between Hai Phong and Rostock, established in 2010, has fostered deep exchanges in seaport management and urban planning.
- Environmental Preservation: The Cat Ba Langur conservation project, funded by the German government since 2000, remains one of the most successful international biodiversity programs in the city.
- Health and Capacity Building: Strategic projects such as "ELIMINATE-TB" for tuberculosis control and "VietProtection 2.0" for disaster management and civil protection have significantly improved the city's public service capacity.
The Strategic Importance of the Visit
The visit of Deputy President Bodo Ramelow carries profound political and economic weight. Politically, it consolidates mutual trust between the legislative bodies of the two nations and signifies Germany's continued support for Vietnam's international integration process.
Economically, the delegation's specific interest in seaport strategy and logistics offers Hai Phong a unique opportunity to align with German technical standards and management expertise. In preparation for the meeting, city leaders directed the Department of Construction to provide comprehensive data on seaport planning and logistics services, demonstrating Hai Phong's readiness to host even larger-scale German projects in the future.
Expectations and Future Horizons
The expectations following this high-level visit are high. Hai Phong anticipates a new wave of German investment, particularly in sectors where Germany leads globally and the city has clear priorities: green transformation, sustainable industrial development, and smart logistics.
The city hopes that Germany will continue to provide support in high-quality human resource training and technology transfer, enabling Hai Phong to realize its goal of becoming a world-class modern port city. The presence of a leader of Mr. Ramelow's stature—having held top positions in both the federal and state levels of Germany—reflects the serious interest German leadership has in the city’s developmental potential.
In conclusion, the direct dialogues held during this visit are expected to materialize into new bilateral agreements. This will not only elevate the Hai Phong–Germany bond but also contribute to the broader Vietnam-Germany relationship as it enters a new era of digital and comprehensive integration, fostering a partnership that is as "evergreen" as the forests of Cat Ba.