A high-level delegation of the Ministry of Home Affairs led by Deouty Minister Vu Chien Thang attended and co-chaired the forum. Participants also included Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Nguyen Dac Thanh; BMAS State Secretary Leonie Gebers; Clemens Schülke, Leipzig’s deputy mayor in charge of economic affairs and labour; and hundreds of representatives from government agencies, associations, enterprises, and vocational education institutions from both countries.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister Vu Chien Thang highlighted the deepening and comprehensive development of the Vietnam-Germany Strategic Partnership. He briefed German partners on Vietnam’s current socio-economic landscape, reaffirming the country’s image as a peace-loving and hospitable nation with a rich cultural heritage.

He said Vietnam is entering a new development stage based on four strategic pillars, with priorities placed on breakthroughs in digital transformation, institutional reform, and comprehensive international integration. In particular, 2025 marks a major milestone in administrative reform as the country steps up efforts to streamline the Government apparatus, establish two-tier local administrations, and shift governance toward a model focused on serving the people and promoting development.

On workforce potential, Thang noted that Vietnam is in a period of “demographic dividend,” with a population of 101.8 million as of November 2025, 68% of whom are of working age. He said the country’s young workforce, known for diligence, intelligence, solid vocational skills, and a strong learning spirit, provides a firm foundation for carrying out  its “labour diplomacy” strategy and for expanding international cooperation.

Tackling  Germany’s challenges related to population ageing and a shortage of skilled labour, he assessed that bilateral human-resources cooperation is strategically complementary and brings tangible benefits to both sides.

At the forum, the Deputy Minister reiterated Vietnam’s consistent approach to international labour cooperation: prioritising quality over quantity. He affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to sending to Germany highly skilled workers with strong discipline, good cultural awareness, and, in particular, the language proficiency required to meet strict entry standards.

Leaders of the Ministry of Home Affairs introduced the concept of “talent circulation” instead of “brain drain.” Under this approach, Vietnamese workers in Germany not only contribute to the host country’s economy but also accumulate skills and modern industrial work practices, enabling them to return home to support national development while serving as enduring bridges of friendship between the two nations.

In his presentation, Vu Truong Giang, Acting Director General of the Overseas Labour Management Department (DOLAB) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, reviewed achievements to date, including nearly 2,000 highly qualified Vietnamese workers currently employed in Germany through programmes such as “Hand in Hand for International Talents” and projects with Vivantes.

However, to fully unlock the potential of cooperation, DOLAB representatives and other delegates discussed solutions to remove major bottlenecks. These include licensing eligible agencies providing vocational study-abroad consultancy to prevent information distortions in the German labour market; German-language training at B1–B2 levels; preparing workers for cultural differences in the workplace; accelerating and simplifying the recognition of Vietnamese qualifications; mechanisms to share costs among BMAS, German state authorities, recruiting employers, and workers; and ensuring fair integration so that workers are protected from exploitation and treated properly.

The forum also underscored the importance of establishing official, transparent connection channels to reduce intermediaries and move toward the goal of “fair recruitment.”

At the event, BMAS State Secretary Leonie Gebers and Leipzig Deputy Mayor Clemens Schülke praised the quality of Vietnamese workers and pledged close coordination with the Vietnamese side to capitalise on opportunities arising from Germany’s new Skilled Immigration Act, creating the most favourable conditions for Vietnamese workers to work and integrate in Germany.

Concluding the forum, both sides agreed to strengthen links between training institutions and enterprises in the two countries to implement existing commitments and make labour cooperation a key pillar of the Vietnam-Germany Strategic Partnership.

Can Tho seeks stronger cooperation with Germany in vocational training

Can Tho city is looking to expand cooperation with partners from Germany in vocational education, green industries, logistics, and smart city development, a local leader said at a working session with the German Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City on September 17.