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The agreements include a strategic partnership with Viet Nam. It embraces accords to strengthen industry, trade and investment. "I am delighted that we were able to sign the Hanoi Agreement here, on our strategic partnership," said Angela Merkel. "It puts our close cooperation on an even firmer footing." This presupposes clear legal conditions, which is why the continuation of the rule-of-law dialogue was also agreed.

An economy in transition

Viet Nam aims to join the ranks of the industrialised countries by 2020. Germany is its largest trading partner in the EU and aims to support the country in its endeavours. "We have an essential interest in a free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the European Union," said the Chancellor in Hanoi. The market economy status for Viet Nam will apply when the relevant criteria are met, she added. 

High-quality German workmanship is always of interest to Viet Nam. In 2011 alone trade in goods and services was worth almost six billion US dollars. The largest industrial project at the moment is the construction of an underground railway in Ho Chi Minh City. Viet Nam has already decided in principle to build one major underground line with German lead management, and to partly finance this too.

More education for Viet Nam

During her visit Angela Merkel also signed agreements on development cooperation. "We in Germany will be supporting you in particular in the field of education," said the Chancellor at the press conference. The Vietnamese-German University is a good example, she added, and the German-Vietnamese School is to be revived. In Ho Chi Minh City, Germany aims to open a German House that is also to raise the profile of German industry.  

Integration in Germany

The Chancellor’s visit is also of interest to Vietnamese citizens living in Germany. More than 100,000 Vietnamese citizens currently live in Germany, including 4,000 students. The Chancellor promised more assistance in the form of scholarships. "We see this bridge ... partly as a cultural opportunity for our two countries to work together."

Mongolia – partner in the extractive sector

On Thursday the Chancellor will continue her trip to take in Mongolia. In the capital Ulan Bator she will be meeting Prime Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold and President Tsakhia Elbegdorj. During her visit Germany will be signing an agreement on a partnership in the extractive sector with Mongolia, which is one of the ten richest states in the world in terms of mineral deposits.