Visit of MP Danny Freymark to Vietnam

MP Freymark is representing the district of Berlin-Lichtenberg in the Berlin State Parliament. The district is home to the largest Vietnamese diaspora in Germany and the famous Dong Xuan Center, with more than 400 stalls Germany’s largest indoor Asian market and a hub of the vibrant Vietnamese community. More than 15,000 people of Vietnamese origin live and work in Lichtenberg. Next year Berlin-Lichtenberg will celebrate its 10th anniversary of the city partnership with Hanoi’s central district Hoan Kiem.

During his visit to Hanoi, MP Freymark met with Mr. Pham Tuan Long, Chairman of the Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee, and the leadership of Dong Xuan Market – the original market, after which Berlin’s center was modelled - to discuss collaborative initiatives, including a rooftop solar energy project supported by the Federal German Government and Lichtenberg District. He also visited the Vietnamese-German High School, engaging with students studying German and highlighting the importance of educational and cultural exchanges.

MP Freymark’s working visit to Hanoi was also marked by a visit to Vietnam’s parliament, the National Assembly. He met with the leadership of the People’s Petition Commission, National Assembly’s Standing Committee, focusing on experience sharing on handling public petitions in both Germany and Vietnam. MP Freymark, himself a member of the Petition Commission of the Berlin State Parliament, was received by CPV Central Committee member Mr. Duong Thanh Binh, Chairman of the People’s Petition Commission. Their discussion centered on the processes and systems for public petitions settlement, sharing insights into the German experience and highlighting best practices and lessons learned. During the meeting the strong cooperation between Germany and Vietnam was highlighted, particularly through joint projects between the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Vietnam and the National Assembly over the past decades. Both parties expressed a commitment to continue strengthening this collaboration to improve public petition systems and enhance political representation and participation in both countries. In a subsequent meeting, MP Freymark met with Mr. Hoang Anh Cong, Vice President of the Vietnam-Germany Parliamentary Friendship Group. Mr. Cong shared plans for an upcoming visit to Germany, emphasizing the importance of this trip for fostering closer ties between the two nations. MP Freymark expressed his willingness to support the visit in Berlin, highlighting the mutual benefits of such exchanges. The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to deepening the Vietnam-Germany partnership through continued dialogue and cooperation.

During his agenda in Hanoi, MP Freymark had a productive meeting at the German Embassy Hanoi, discussing economic cooperation, sustainable development, and political relations. Additionally, MP Freymark also visited the Goethe-Institut Hanoi where he interacted with Vietnamese learners and discussed on programs for skilled labor qualification and pre-integration. These activities underscored the ongoing commitment to enhancing educational ties, promoting skilled labor migration and fostering cultural understanding between Germany and Vietnam.

The visit of MP Danny Freymark reinforced the strong relationship between the two capitals Berlin and Hanoi, and their districts Lichtenberg and Hoan Kiem, paving the way for future collaborations and highlighting the shared interests. The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Vietnam played a crucial role in facilitating this successful visit, underscoring its commitment to fostering international dialogue and collaboration on various political levels.