Ho Chi Minh City, September 24, 2025 – The German Business Association in Vietnam (GBA) organized a business roundtable with H.E. Andrea Sühl, the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ho Chi Minh City. The event was attended by Mr. Alexander Ziehe – Chairman of GBA – along with leaders of German companies to discuss the current business environment in Vietnam and the new foreign policy priorities of the German Government.
Germany’s New Foreign Policy and Cooperation with Vietnam
Consul General Andrea Sühl shared highlights from the Annual Ambassadors’ Conference in Berlin, where the German Chancellor emphasized a new focus towards the German foreign policy, with three key pillars: prosperity, freedom, and security. Within this context, Vietnam is increasingly viewed as an important partner in Germany’s global strategy, especially in the areas of trade, investment, and green transition.
Practical Challenges Raised by the German Business Community in Vietnam
During the open discussion, GBA member companies raised several specific challenges:
- Capital costs and access to finance: High lending rates, in Vietnam limited preferential financing channels create difficulties, particularly for SMEs.
- Administrative and legal procedures: Licensing, taxation, and customs processes remain complex, subject to sudden changes, and lack predictability.
- Workforce and vocational training: The practical skills of young workers often do not fully meet expectations, highlighting a strong need for enhanced cooperation with universities and vocational institutions.
- Lengthy work permit procedures: For foreign experts, the process may take 6–8 months, directly affecting production plans and project implementation.
- Brand protection and intellectual property rights: Mislabeling of products as “German” prolonged IP disputes, and inconsistent enforcement undermine investor confidence.
- Green transition: German businesses seek easier access to renewable energy and carbon credit mechanisms to fulfill their global net-zero commitments.
At the same time, companies also emphasized cooperation opportunities: partnerships with Vietnamese universities and training institutions have improved access to talents. Promising sectors such as green transition, technology, and services also present potential for deeper collaboration between German and Vietnamese businesses.
According to Mr. Alexander Ziehe, Chairman of GBA:
“We believe it is important to share both challenges and success stories. Vietnam is gradually becoming a regional and global hub for many German companies, and this is an opportunity to replicate successful cases while finding solutions to practical obstacles.”
Commitments and Future Orientation
The representatives agreed that the German business community in Vietnam needs further and consistent political support from Berlin to build confidence and momentum for long-term investment on both sides. At the same time, raising awareness in Germany of Vietnam’s strategic importance in global supply chains was highlighted as an urgent priority, given Vietnam’s growing role in diversification and reducing dependence on traditional markets.
In response to these recommendations, Consul General Andrea Sühl affirmed that she would directly convey them to the German Government and pledged to promote deeper diplomatic and economic engagement through high-level visits and strategic cooperation projects in the areas of green transition, vocational training, and innovation for businesses from both countries.
GBA as a Collective Voice for Sustainable Business
The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Germany and the 30th anniversary of GBA, reaffirming its role as a trusted bridge between the German business community and Vietnamese partners. This is an ideal moment to strengthen cooperation at multiple levels – from businesses and associations to governments – towards a resilient and mutually beneficial partnership in an increasingly volatile global environment.
To ensure that the voices of German businesses in Vietnam are systematically and effectively heard, GBA has developed the “GBA Business Feedback Portal” – a centralized platform that allows members to directly report challenges, obstacles, and recommendations for improving the business environment in Vietnam. The portal enables GBA to collect and consolidate input from companies, which is then communicated to relevant authorities and stakeholders, thereby fostering policy dialogue, improving administrative procedures, and creating more favorable conditions for German investments and business operations in Vietnam.
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