Ho Chi Minh City, 7 April, 2026
Dear GBA Members and friends,
As we concluded our 2026 AGM, it is a privilege to continue serving as your Chairman alongside our newly elected Board of nine dedicated business leaders representing a wide range of industries and expertise. Following this successful election and the approval of our budget, I would like to sincerely thank all GBA members for your continued trust and support, as well as our Board Members for their strong commitment.
With a growing base of more than 430 members, we remain focused on delivering value to you by strengthening our community, expanding partnerships and investing in our offering. As the largest European business association in Vietnam, we are also proud to be represented on the newly elected EuroCham Board with four representatives, reinforcing our commitment to actively shaping the future of EuroCham Vietnam.
At our recent strategy offsite in Da Nang, the Board reviewed our 2025 achievements and aligned on clear priorities for the year ahead, guided by valuable input from our members.
Strengthening Strategic Government Engagement
GBA will continue to deepen structured, high-level dialogue with Vietnamese and German government stakeholders to ensure that member concerns are effectively represented. Our government engagement efforts will be supported by insights from the Business Feedback Portal, enabling more data-driven and impactful discussions. We will continue to advocate for stronger political support from German authorities to position Germany as a long-term growth partner for Vietnam.
Showcasing German–Vietnamese Business Success: German Business Forum & Awards
A key milestone for 2026 will be the launch and positioning of the German Business Forum, scheduled for October alongside the GBA Business Awards in November. These initiatives will highlight outstanding German–Vietnamese business cooperation, showcase innovation and impactful achievements, and reinforce Germany’s strong economic presence in Vietnam.
Expanding our presence in Northern and Central Vietnam
Through more consistent event schedules, stronger institutional partnerships, and targeted industry dialogues, we will deepen our engagement in Northern and Central Vietnam. To support this expansion, GBA has appointed dedicated four representatives in key economic hubs, strengthening our local presence and responsiveness.
- GBA Representative in Hai Phong: Ms. Trang Pham, Senior Manager, Industrial Business Development at Core5 Vietnam
- GBA Representative in Ha Noi: Mr. Lutz Koch, Head of Hanoi Office, Rödl Vietnam
We have made strong strategic progress in expanding GBA’s activities beyond Ho Chi Minh City, in Hanoi, Haiphong and Da Nang – most notably through flagship events such as Deutschentreff, Haiphong Meets Europe, Danang Meets Europe, as well as new initiatives currently in development. These efforts reflect our commitment to building a truly nationwide platform for the German business community.
As a result, we are seeing increased event activity and stronger participant engagement across regions. This momentum ensures that all members, regardless of location, benefit equally from GBA’s services, government engagement, and high-quality networking platforms nationwide.
Elevating Oktoberfest HCMC
In 2026, GBA Oktoberfest in Ho Chi Minh City will move to a new venue, enabling us to redesign the event layout and create a more festive and engaging experience. This marks an important step in enhancing the overall event format while broadening participation and creating great memories for our partners and sponsors.
Our Oktoberfest Working Group is working closely with partners and suppliers to elevate key aspects of the event from F&B quality and service standards to entertainment, seating, and on-site organization, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable experience for all participants.
In parallel, we will launch a dedicated Oktoberfest landing page to simplify registration, improve communication, and provide easier access to event information. Through these efforts, we continue to strengthen the quality of our flagship events and deliver more meaningful experiences to our members and the wider business community.
Driving Knowledge Exchange and Strengthening Connections
Beyond our highlighted flagship events in 2026, GBA continues to deliver a strong pipeline of regular activities that foster knowledge exchange and community connection.
At our March Monthly Business Meeting in March, we analyzed how Vietnam’s opportunity is both significant and time-sensitive. The coming decade will favor businesses and investors who act decisively, investing early in technology, talent, resilience, infrastructure, and decarbonization.
Through targeted member workshops, including New Year, New Laws: What Businesses Need to Know, the Members for Members Workshop at VIATT 2026, and our Tax Breakfast Briefing on Vietnam Tax & Accounting in 2026. We delivered relevant and actionable insights to support our members in navigating an evolving regulatory and business landscape.
Networking events like DeutschenTreff in Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City, cross-chamber events such as German–Franco Day as well as sports and family-oriented events like GBA Family Day on 11April, 2026, continue to strengthen engagement and community spirit across our network.
The first quarter of 2026 has already demonstrated the continued impact of GBA for our members. With ambitious plans ahead, the entire board and office team remain committed to further enhancing the membership experience and driving the growth of our community.
At the same time, we are closely monitoring global developments, including the situation in the Middle East, and stand ready to support our members through open dialogue and responsive engagement.
Your trust and continued support are the foundation of our success. On behalf of the Board, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to our members, our dedicated office team, outgoing Board Members, and valued corporate partners for their contributions and collaboration.
Sincerely yours,
Alexander Ziehe
Chairman of the Board
German Business Association (GBA)