Minister-President of Hesse State, Germany, Boris Rhein, looked forward to further strengthening partnerships between educational and research institutions on both sides in areas such as high technology, finance and banking, semi-conductor industry, and AI. This was discussed during his meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh today, November 28.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Minister-President of Hesse State Boris Rhein. Photos: Nhat Bac

Both sides agreed that the Vietnam-Germany University, a flagship project in education and training established under the initiative of the State of Hesse State, has been operating effectively and contributing to the development of high-quality human resources in Vietnam.

The State of Hesse will continue to support the development and expansion of the Vietnam-Germany University and maintain scholarship programs for Vietnamese students and researchers, said Boris.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the significance of Governor Boris Rhein’s visit, saying that it comes amidst the flourishing Vietnam-Germany Strategic Partnership and the strengthening of Vietnam-Hesse relations across diverse sectors. He expressed confidence that the visit would inject new momentum into the partnership between Vietnam and Hesse.

Boris expressed his pleasure in returning to Vietnam in his new capacity. He recalled the deep historical ties and enduring friendship between the two nations and congratulated Vietnam on its recent socio-economic achievements.

Emphasizing Hesse's commitment to strengthening its relationship with Vietnam, he stated that his visit aims to further expand cooperation in areas such as business, education, training, and labor.

In discussing their respective situations, Chinh underlined Vietnam's focus on achieving three strategic breakthroughs: improving the institutional framework, developing human resources, and enhancing infrastructure.

He said that Vietnam's priorities are sustainable development, digital transformation, and green transition. In this context, he reiterated Vietnam's commitment to its Strategic Partnership with Germany and its special collaboration with Hesse, a German state known for its strengths in economy, finance, science and technology, and industry. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the positive and effective development of Vietnam-Hesse relations in the broader context of strong bilateral cooperation.

Overview of the meeting.

Notably, bilateral trade between Vietnam and Hesse has reached approximately EUR1 billion ($1.05 billion) annually, accounting for one-tenth of the total trade between Vietnam and Germany. Hesse-based companies, such as Bilfinger & Berger, Messer, Sanofi-Aventis, Fresenius, and Commerzbank, have made significant and effective investments in Vietnam.

To further strengthen bilateral cooperation, Chinh suggested six key areas for collaboration: Hesse pushing for the German Bundestag's early ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA); supporting and expanding the Vietnam-Germany University, particularly in high-tech fields such as finance, banking, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence; sharing expertise in sustainable development, climate change adaptation, and renewable energy to achieve carbon reduction goals while facilitating Vietnam’s access to funding, management expertise, and workforce training under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP); accepting skilled Vietnamese workers, particularly in light of Germany’s new Immigration Act; ensuring favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Hesse to integrate and thrive while preserving their cultural identity; and collaborating on cultural and sports exchanges to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Germany diplomatic relations in 2025.

Acknowledging Hesse’s need for skilled labor from Vietnam, Boris encouraged both sides to leverage the opportunities provided by Germany’s new Immigration Act to expand the labor supply. He emphasized the importance of facilitating Vietnamese workers’ employment in Hesse to address the state’s labor shortage. He also recognized the significant contributions of the Vietnamese community to Hesse’s prosperity and cultural diversity.

He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting the Vietnamese diaspora in preserving their cultural heritage and strengthening their role as a bridge of friendship between Vietnam and Hesse.