On the morning of January 21, 2025, Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Dung, Director of the Hai Phong Department of Foreign Affairs, together with leaders and staff from the Consular Affairs and Overseas Vietnamese Office, welcomed and held a meeting with representatives of the leadership of the Hai Phong Association in the Federal Republic of Germany (the Association) ahead of the upcoming Lunar New Year of the Wood Snake 2025.
At the meeting, Mr. Pham Hong Phong, Vice Chairman of the Association, expressed his delight and sincere gratitude for the Department’s timely and dedicated support to the Association’s activities, as well as to the broader Vietnamese community abroad. In 2024, the Association organized many activities to unite its members and actively implemented charitable initiatives, guided by the spirit of mutual support and solidarity with their homeland. Notably, the Association organized three major programs and events: the 20th anniversary of its founding, fundraising efforts to donate €21,000 to support compatriots affected by Typhoon Yagi (€16,000 for Hai Phong residents and €5,000 for those in other provinces), and support for the Vietnamese community in Poland following the fire at the Marywilska Shopping Center. In 2025, the Association is developing plans to celebrate major national and local holidays, such as Hai Phong Liberation Day, the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Germany. In particular, the Association has initiated activities in Germany to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Hai Phong Liberation Day for its members.
On behalf of the Association’s Executive Board, Mr. Pham Hong Phong conveyed heartfelt New Year wishes to the Department’s leadership and expressed hope for continued attention and support from the Department and the city.
Mrs. Nguyen Thi Bich Dung appreciated the Association’s more than 20 years of contributions to fostering connections and mobilizing the overseas Hai Phong community. She affirmed that the Hai Phong Association in Germany is one of the city’s most active and dynamic associations, with large-scale, professional programs that actively promote the rich traditional cultural values of Vietnam. In the future, she encouraged the Association’s Executive Board to continue their pioneering, enthusiastic spirit and deep love for the city and the nation. She also proposed enhancing direct communication channels between the city and the Hai Phong community in Germany, as well as effectively coordinating on tasks related to overseas Vietnamese affairs
After the meeting, the Association’s leaders visited and extended New Year greetings to the leadership of the Hai Phong Overseas Vietnamese Liaison Association, and shared preliminary plans for upcoming activities.