Since 2011, Germany and Viet Nam have had a strategic partnership involving cooperation projects in numerous policy fields. Many different intersocietal contacts shape the countries’ relations. Germany and Viet Nam regard themselves as partners in promoting multilateralism, free trade and investment, as well as environmental and climate protection.

With a volume of trade of more than 18 billion euro (2024), Germany is Viet Nam’s most important trading partner in the EU, while Viet Nam ranks among Germany’s largest trading partners within ASEAN. More than 500 German companies are currently represented in Viet Nam, more than 4000 German companies export goods to Viet Nam and German investment has created around 50,000 jobs in the country.
The free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the European Union, which entered into force in 2020, gave a further boost to economic relations between Germany and Viet Nam. The investment protection agreement signed in 2019 still requires ratification by various EU member states.

Development cooperation is another important element in relations between Germany and Viet Nam, the focus of which is on implementing the 2030 Agenda, the G7 Just Energy Transition Partnership and the Paris Agreement. The 2030 reform strategy of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) defines Viet Nam as a global partner country with a focus on key issues based on the country’s Green Growth strategy (forestry/biodiversity, energy transition and vocational education and training).

Bilateral cultural relations allow plenty of room for the implementation of projects. Numerous cultural, academic and scientific institutions are active in Viet Nam – including the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Goethe-Institut, the Vietnamese-German University and the International German School. The more than 200,000 Vietnamese who live in Germany today, along with those who have returned to Viet Nam, form a unique bridge linking the two countries.

Since 1998, Germany and Viet Nam have also maintained institutionalised relations in the spheres of security and defence. In November 2022, the defence ministries of the two countries signed an agreement on intensifying cooperation in this field.