Ho Chi Minh City, 13 October 2026 – The German Business & Investment Forum 2026, jointly organized by the German Business Association (GBA) and the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Vietnam (AHK Vietnam), took place on 13 October at JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City. The Forum focused on strengthening German–Vietnamese economic cooperation, expanding investment opportunities, facilitating technology transfer, and promoting sustainable development.
Under the theme “Germany – A Trusted Partner for Vietnam’s Next Era of Growth,” the Forum brought together more than 300 attendees, including government officials, diplomatic representatives, business leaders, investors, and industry experts from Vietnam and abroad, alongside over 30 speakers and panelists. The event was supported by the German Embassy in Hanoi, the German Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), and the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE).
Representing Vietnam, the Forum welcomed Mr. Nguyen Loc Ha, Standing Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee; Ms. Dao Thanh Huong, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Investment Agency under Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance; Mr. Bui Quang Hung, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE); Mr. Tran Xuan Thuy, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs; and Mr. Pham Quang Nhat, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC).
Representing Germany, the Forum was honored to welcome Dr. Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of Hamburg; H.E. Helga Margarete Barth, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Vietnam; Dr. Andrea Sühl, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Alexander Ziehe, Chairman of the German Business Association (GBA); and Mr. Peter Kompalla, Chief Representative of AHK Vietnam, alongside distinguished representatives of organizations and business communities from both countries.
Ho Chi Minh City and Hamburg Seek to Expand Economic and Investment Cooperation
In his welcome remarks, Mr. Nguyen Loc Ha, Standing Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, highlighted the positive developments in economic cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Germany while emphasizing the significant potential for further collaboration.
According to Mr. Ha, bilateral trade between Ho Chi Minh City and Germany reached nearly USD 2 billion in the first nine months of 2026. Germany currently has 316 investment projects in the city, with total registered capital exceeding USD 742 million, along with 27 representative offices of German businesses.
Recognizing the complementary strengths of Ho Chi Minh City and Hamburg in seaports, logistics, aviation, science and technology, and innovation, the city’s leadership expressed its aspiration for Hamburg to become the fourth German locality to establish a friendship and cooperation relationship with Ho Chi Minh City, following Leipzig, Frankfurt, and Heidelberg.
Sharing his perspective on future bilateral cooperation, Dr. Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of Hamburg, emphasized the longstanding relationship between Germany and Vietnam and reaffirmed Hamburg’s interest in expanding cooperation in trade, logistics, technology, sustainability, science, and education.
“We want to share our knowledge, combine our strengths and develop common strategies,” Dr. Tschentscher stated.
As one of Germany’s leading port and logistics hubs, Hamburg brings extensive expertise in port infrastructure, logistics digitalization, renewable energy, and green technologies. These strengths offer promising opportunities to support Vietnam’s infrastructure modernization and enhance its connectivity with international trade networks.
“Trust is the cornerstone of any sustainable partnership,” said H.E. Helga Barth, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Vietnam, reaffirming Germany’s commitment to supporting Vietnam’s next phase of growth, particularly through green transformation, sustainable energy solutions, and climate-neutral technologies. She also highlighted the strong potential for cooperation between Hamburg and Ho Chi Minh City as two major international trade and logistics hubs.
Addressing Vietnam’s investment outlook, Ms. Dao Thanh Huong, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Investment Agency under Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance, highlighted the country’s shift from attracting foreign direct investment based primarily on volume toward prioritizing high-quality projects that bring advanced technologies, foster innovation, support green transformation, and strengthen linkages with domestic enterprises.
She identified four promising areas for a new wave of German investment: high-tech manufacturing, infrastructure and logistics, technology and green transformation, and workforce development for industrial transformation.
Representing the Ministry of Finance, Ms. Huong reaffirmed its readiness to work closely with GBA, AHK Vietnam, and relevant stakeholders to facilitate project-oriented investment promotion, strengthen business connections, and support German investors throughout the investment lifecycle, from exploring opportunities to implementing and expanding their operations in Vietnam.
Turning Strategic Trust into Concrete Business Partnerships
Delivering his opening remarks, Mr. Alexander Ziehe, Chairman of the German Business Association (GBA), underscored the importance of trust and long-term partnerships as the global economy undergoes profound transformation driven by technological advancement, shifting supply chains, sustainability requirements, and geopolitical developments.
He noted that German businesses increasingly view Vietnam not merely as a promising market, but as a strategic partner for the future, with significant opportunities in advanced manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, renewable energy, digital solutions, and education.
“Because economic cooperation is not measured by speeches or meetings alone. It is measured by new investments. New projects. New jobs. And new partnerships,” Mr. Alexander Ziehe emphasized.
He highlighted the Forum as a platform for translating shared ambitions into tangible outcomes through strategic dialogue, cooperation announcements, and the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), thereby fostering stronger and more sustainable German–Vietnamese economic relations.
✍️ 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏𝐒, 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒
🔹 Cermed × NEWTECHCO × Phytopharma
Strategic cooperation in pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and life sciences, focusing on technology transfer, cross-border trade, and potential joint venture development in Vietnam.
🔹 Green Hydrogen Hub Viet Nam | Vietnamese-German University × Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH × AHK Vietnam – Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Vietnam
Strengthening cooperation in green hydrogen development, with AHK Vietnam taking over the Hub’s leadership and management. The initiative is supported by founding sponsors ENERTRAG, Indefol, Messer Vietnam, and Neuman & Esser.
🔹 Indefol GmbH × Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH × KTEC
Advancing vocational education and training for green hydrogen technologies, including the establishment of a Green Hydrogen Innovation Hub at KTEC.
🔹 Vietnamese-German University (VGU) × Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
Expanding academic cooperation toward a double-degree programme in Mechatronics, covering joint research, curriculum development, and academic exchange.
🔹 Hettich Group × DEG Impulse
A develoPPP partnership to strengthen vocational training, develop skilled workers, and support local SMEs in Vietnam’s furniture industry.
🔹 Hettich Group × HAN SPACES
A strategic partnership combining German furniture technology with Vietnamese design and construction expertise.
🔹 Bosch Vietnam × Becamex IDC Vietnam× Eastern International University (EIU)
Driving cooperation in Industry 4.0, advanced manufacturing, innovation, and workforce development.
From a bilateral economic perspective, Mr. Peter Kompalla, Chief Representative of AHK Vietnam, stressed that German–Vietnamese cooperation should evolve beyond traditional trade and investment toward deeper collaboration in technology, productivity, and value creation.
He outlined three strategic priorities for the next phase of cooperation: productivity and industrial transformation; infrastructure and green transformation; and talent and skills development. By combining German technological expertise and management experience with Vietnam’s manufacturing capabilities, workforce, and economic dynamism, both countries can unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth and greater competitiveness.
BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE WITH THE HAMBURG DELEGATION | STRENGTHENING GERMANY–VIETNAM BUSINESS TIES
As part of the German Business & Investment Forum Vietnam 2026, the German Business Association (GBA) had the pleasure of facilitating an exclusive Business Roundtable with the Hamburg Delegation, led by Dr. Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of Hamburg.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DISCUSSION:
🔹 Vietnam’s Investment Potential: Business leaders shared firsthand experiences of Vietnam’s dynamic growth, expanding manufacturing capabilities, skilled workforce, and increasing importance in global supply chains.
🔹 Infrastructure & Logistics: Discussions highlighted opportunities to leverage Hamburg’s expertise in port development, multimodal transportation, and logistics connectivity to support Vietnam’s infrastructure ambitions.
🔹 Energy & Sustainability: Participants explored Vietnam’s growing energy demand, renewable energy development, and opportunities for German technology and expertise to contribute to long-term energy security.
🔹 Talent & Knowledge Transfer: Vocational training, workforce development, and industry-academia collaboration were recognized as essential drivers of sustainable growth.
🔹 Stronger Bilateral Cooperation: The exchange emphasized the importance of continued high-level engagement, government-business dialogue, and closer institutional cooperation to translate shared opportunities into concrete partnerships.
Vietnam offers tremendous growth potential, while Germany brings world-class technology, expertise, and industrial experience. By strengthening dialogue and building bridges between both business communities, there is significant potential to unlock new opportunities for mutual growth.
Strategic Dialogue on Four Key Drivers of Vietnam’s Future Growth
Building on the priorities outlined during the opening session, the Forum explored the key drivers shaping Vietnam’s next phase of economic development amid ongoing changes in global trade, supply chains, technology, and sustainability.
The Strategic Leadership Dialogue brought together representatives from investment promotion agencies, international organizations, academic institutions, and the business community to discuss four essential pillars of Vietnam’s long-term growth: investment, infrastructure, technology, and talent.
In addition, the Forum featured three parallel thematic sessions covering Investment, Industry & Infrastructure; Technology, Innovation & Green Transformation; and Talent for Industrial Transformation. Industry experts and business leaders exchanged insights on attracting high-quality investment, developing modern infrastructure, adopting advanced technologies, advancing sustainable manufacturing, and building a highly skilled workforce. Together, these discussions highlighted opportunities to deepen German–Vietnamese cooperation and enhance Vietnam’s economic competitiveness.
Fostering Investment Connections and Tangible Business Cooperation
The Forum continued in the afternoon with the panel discussion “Made in Germany – Driving Vietnam’s Competitiveness, Quality & Consumer Trust,” highlighting the role of quality, technology, innovation, and brand reputation in strengthening the competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses.
In addition, the CEO Dialogue brought together business leaders to share practical insights on improving the investment climate, boosting productivity, developing infrastructure, and strengthening workforce capabilities, ultimately supporting sustainable growth and enhancing Vietnam’s position in global value chains.
Beyond policy dialogue and knowledge exchange, the German Business & Investment Forum Vietnam 2026 provided a platform for direct engagement among German and Vietnamese businesses, investors, institutions, and potential partners.
Through strategic cooperation announcements, Memoranda of Understanding, business exhibitions, networking activities, and business matchmaking, the Forum aimed to translate shared priorities into concrete investment opportunities and business partnerships.
The participation of the Hamburg delegation further reinforced the potential for cooperation between institutions and businesses from both sides, particularly in areas of complementary expertise such as seaports, logistics, technology, education, and infrastructure development.