THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Government News
President hosts official welcome ceremony for German counterpart
VGP - President Vo Van Thuong hosted an official welcome ceremony for his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Ha Noi on January 23.
President Vo Van Thuong (R) shakes hands with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Presidential Palace in Ha Noi, January 23, 2024 – Photo: VNA
President Vo Van Thuong and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier review the guard of honor of the Viet Nam People's Army – Photo: VNA
The cannon salute is fired to welcomeofficial welcome ceremony is held for German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier – Photo: VNA
President Vo Van Thuong and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier step on the podium while military bands play the national anthems of both nations – Photo: VNA
A 21-cannon salute is fired to welcome German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his spouse to Viet Nam – Photo: VNA
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his spouse are paying a two-day State visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of President Vo Van Thuong.
The visit will is expected to create momentum for a stronger Viet Nam-Germany Strategic Partnership.
This is the first foreign visit of the German President in 2024 and the first high-level delegation exchange between the two countries this year-a pivotal year towards the 50th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2025.
During Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Viet Nam in October 2011, bilateral ties were upgraded to a strategic partnership. Since then, the friendship and cooperation between the two countries have evolved steadily in an effective and comprehensive fashion.
Germany continues to be Viet Nam's largest trading partner in the European Union, and Viet Nam is Germany's largest trading partner in Southeast Asia.
The two-way trade has increased rapidly, reaching US$12.6 billion in 2022, up 12 percent from 2021. Germany is the 18th largest investor among 143 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam, with a total registered capital of roughly US$2.7 billion./.