Da Nang (VNA) – Bodo Ramelow, Vice President of the German Bundestag, led a delegation to the central coastal city of Da Nang on June 19 to work with local authorities on expanding bilateral cooperation.
During the meeting, the two sides reviewed socio-economic cooperation between Da Nang and German localities, and discussed directions for strengthening ties in the coming period.
Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Hung expressed his hope that Ramelow will continue supporting cooperation activities between Da Nang and German partners, particularly the state of Thuringia and the city of Chemnitz.
He said Da Nang is seeking to deepen collaboration in exchanging human resources, building on the memorandum of understanding signed with Thuringia and existing networking activities launched in 2023 between the German state and the two local facilities, namely the Da Nang College of Food Industry and Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy.
The city welcomes the establishment and expansion of high-quality German language training centres to help students and workers enhance their qualifications and meet employment requirements in Germany, Hung shared.
In addition, Da Nang hopes to sign further agreements on labour cooperation and vocational education with German localities and agencies to expand overseas vocational study programmes and facilitate the transfer of advanced training technologies.
The municipal leader also called on Ramelow to encourage German businesses to invest in sectors aligned with Germany’s strengths and Da Nang’s development priorities, including high technology, semiconductor manufacturing, renewable energy, the green economy and digital transformation.
Praising the city’s strong economic growth in recent years, Ramelow suggested that Frankfurt could serve as an appropriate German partner in Vietnam’s plan to develop its international financial centre in Da Nang, and pledged to support future connections.
He added the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Vietnam stands ready to facilitate cooperation and support business engagement between the two sides.
On education and training, the Bundestag Vice President highlighted vocational education as an area with significant potential for joint work. He suggested developing joint training programmes enabling graduates to obtain qualifications recognised in both Vietnam and Germany, creating broader employment opportunities for young people.
During the visit, Ramelow and his delegation also toured the Don Bosco vocational school in Hoa Xuan ward and visited several German businesses operating in Da Nang.
Germany is currently one of Da Nang’s leading partners in Europe, with cooperation spanning industry, research, science – technology, education and cultural exchange.
Da Nang has established formal partnerships with Thuringia (2024) and Chemnitz (2026). The municipal administration has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Frankfurt Main Finance to exchange expertise on developing digital finance and financial technology.
In 2025, Da Nang’s exports to Germany were estimated at 77.3 million USD while imports reached 138.6 million USD. The city currently hosts 24 German-invested projects with total registered investment of around 233.3 million USD./.
See more
Top leader asks for building stronger, more modern people's police force
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam highlighted the country's recent socio-economic achievements, recognising the significant contributions by the People's Public Security force, particularly the People's Police, senior police leaders over different periods and the Association of Former People's Public Security Officers through grassroots movements safeguarding national security.
PM urges stronger development foundations for sustainable growth
Opening the event, the PM underscored the significance of the meeting, saying that it is the first engagement between the new-term government’s members and the business community - the vanguard on the economic front, playing a key role in driving growth, generating employment, and enhancing national competitiveness.
Top leader meets former officials of Central Highlands Steering Committee
During its 15 years of operation, the committee fulfilled its assigned functions and responsibilities, serving as an effective advisory body by proposing solutions to pressing issues and recommending policies to promote livelihoods and improve the life quality for locals.
Vietnamese Party official visits China’s Chongqing, seeking to enhance bilateral cooperation
A senior official reaffirmed the Vietnamese Party and State's support for expanding comprehensive and substantive cooperation between Chongqing and Vietnamese localities, calling on both sides to continue effectively implementing the common perceptions reached by the two countries' high-ranking leaders.
Vietnam sends congratulations to Lithuania's new Prime Minister
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on July 17 sent a congratulatory message to Mindaugas Sinkevičius on his election as Prime Minister of Lithuania.
Vietnam–Greece ties still hold considerable untapped potential: PM
PM Le Minh Hung recommended that the two sides step up all-level exchanges and meetings, especially those at high level, make full use of the existing cooperation mechanisms, expand collaboration in the economy, trade and investment, and effectively implement the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
Identifying fallen soldiers a sacred responsibility towards Fatherland: Top leader
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam stressed that every set of remains recovered represents far more than a technical achievement. It marks the return of a son or daughter to the Fatherland and to his/her family, the restoration of a missing chapter of history, and a reaffirmation of the country's enduring tradition of remembering those who served the nation.
☕ Afternoon briefing on July 17
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
Get-together marks 73rd anniversary of Cuba’s Moncada Barracks attack
Building on the long-standing friendship between Vietnam and Cuba, the Vietnam–Cuba Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City has worked closely with the Consulate General of Cuba in Ho Chi Minh City to organise a wide range of activities in recent years, including gatherings marking major national anniversaries, cultural and artistic exchanges, and programmes connecting organisations and localities from the two countries
Modern criminal justice system proposed under revised Criminal Procedure Code
The revised code proposes more progressive procedural rules to enhance adversarial proceedings, tighten power oversight and better protect human and citizens' rights. It will retain effective existing provisions, amend or repeal outdated regulations, and introduce new procedures to expedite case handling, reduce procedural costs and improve efficiency while ensuring fairness, objectivity and greater protection of the lawful rights and interests of organisations and individuals. It also aims to modernise criminal proceedings through the wider application of digital technologies and closer alignment with international practices.
Vietnamese community in Thailand urged to strengthen friendship bridge
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang commended the unity and sense of responsibility shown by the Vietnamese community in Udon Thani and across Thailand, urging them to continue preserving the Vietnamese language and cultural identity while helping build a positive image of Vietnamese people and contributing to bilateral relations.
☀️ Morning digest on July 17
The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency.
Vietnam seeks Mauritania’s role as bridge to African Union for deeper ties
Vietnam expects Mauritania to act as a bridge for substantive cooperation between Vietnam and the African Union (AU), said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang during a reception in Hanoi on July 16 for Minister in charge of the General Secretariat of the Mauritanian Government Moctar Al Housseynou Lam.
National Assembly Standing Committee reviews bill to cut red tape in agriculture, environment
The drafting agency proposed eliminating 38 administrative procedures and 40 business conditions, and simplifying another 13 procedures. The reforms are expected to slash total processing time by 904 days and trim an estimated 189.9 billion VND (7.3 million USD) in compliance costs.
Vietnam treasures traditional friendship with Mauritania: FM
The two officials agreed to continue their long-standing coordination at multilateral forums, including the Francophonie, while reinforcing practical collaboration with regional organisations such as ASEAN and the AU, for the benefit of their people and for peace, stability and development in their respective regions and globally.
Vietnam, Laos deepen cooperation in finance, agriculture
Vietnam and Laos have agreed to step up cooperation in finance, agriculture, natural resources and environmental management, with a focus on sustainable agricultural development, forest protection and green energy.
Vietnam, Laos strengthen cooperation on overseas community affairs
The two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in overseas Vietnamese and overseas Lao affairs for the 2026–2030 period, providing a framework for future collaboration. Laos will send a delegation to Vietnam to study preparations for the World Conference of Overseas Vietnamese, scheduled for December 2026.
☕ Afternoon briefing on July 16
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
NA Standing Committee reviews draft law on preventing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
The draft law comprises four chapters and 37 articles, setting out the principles, measures, policies and responsibilities of state agencies, organisations and individuals in preventing the proliferation of WMDs. It would apply to Vietnamese organisations and individuals, as well as foreign entities and individuals operating or residing in Vietnam.
Top leader asks Son La to become ecological agriculture, agro-processing, tourism hub
The Party and State leader urged Son La to clearly define its development model and strategic role in the Northwest, focusing resources on sectors with the greatest potential rather than spreading investment too thinly.