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	Strengthening Cooperation between Hanoi and Lichtenberg District, Germany

Executive Committee Conference reviewing the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association's activities during the first six months of 2026. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

According to the report presented at the conference, during the first half of 2026, the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association continued to maintain relations with its German partners while carrying out activities promoting peace, friendship, external communications, community support, and organizational development.

In the field of people-to-people diplomacy, the Association maintained close contact with the German-Vietnamese Association (DVG), coordinated the drafting of a cooperation document, and worked toward signing a formal cooperation agreement between the two organizations in 2026. It also worked with the Hessen Office and local Vietnam-Germany Friendship Associations to implement scholarship programs and provide water filtration systems for schools in disadvantaged areas.

The Association also continued translating the book "Countries of rice fields: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia - History and the present" by Professor Guenter Giesenfeld, President of the Germany-Vietnam Friendship Association (FG), with the goal of completing its publication and distribution in Vietnam in 2026.

In external communications, the Association completed the design and officially launched its website. Organizational development efforts included reviewing the operations of its 16 chapters, strengthening and supplementing the Standing Committee and Executive Committee, and preparing documents and personnel arrangements for the Sixth National Congress of the Association for the 2026-2031 term. At the local level, Vietnam-Germany Friendship Associations continued to strengthen their organizational capacity, maintain meetings and exchanges among members, and organize activities fostering connections between the peoples of Vietnam and Germany.

The Association also carried out efforts to mobilize German non-governmental organizations, individuals, and businesses to participate in charitable initiatives and support local socio-economic development. In Quang Tri Province, the provincial Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association, in cooperation with the Hessen Office, donated seven water filtration systems to schools in disadvantaged areas and mobilized 12 scholarships for underprivileged students with outstanding academic performance. The Association also worked with the provincial Department of Foreign Affairs to promote a twinning initiative with a locality in the German port city of Rostock.

Delegates discuss at the conference. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

During the second half of 2026, the Association will focus on implementing practical people-to-people diplomacy activities, with priority given to completing procedures for the signing of the cooperation agreement with the German-Vietnamese Association (DVG). It plans to send a delegation to Germany for a working visit in October and welcome a delegation from the Germany-Vietnam Friendship Association (FG) to Vietnam for a working visit in November.

Alongside these exchange visits, the Association plans to organize domestic exchange and outreach activities marking the National Days of both countries, Christmas, and the New Year. It will also continue efforts to finalize and publish Professor Guenter Giesenfeld's book in Vietnam. Another key task is the preparation and organization of the Sixth National Congress of the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association for the 2026-2031 term, while continuing to review and update its database, strengthen its organizational structure, and improve operational effectiveness.

Nguyen Toan Thang, Vice President of the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In his concluding remarks, Vice President Nguyen Toan Thang stated that one of the Association's most important tasks during the second half of 2026 is to prepare for and organize the Sixth National Congress for the 2026-2031 term. Preparatory work should be accelerated, with particular attention given to drafting the Political Report outlining the Association's development orientation for the next five years, in line with evolving international circumstances and new requirements in Vietnam-Germany relations.

He also called for stronger coordination between the central Association and its local chapters, emphasizing the importance of maintaining in-person meetings and exchanges to strengthen solidarity, facilitate information sharing, and provide mutual support. Local associations and chapters were encouraged to provide more regular updates to the central Association, both to facilitate information consolidation and to generate content for the Association's website.

Nguyen Toan Thang further emphasized the need to maximize the contributions of all members and improve coordination in implementing the Association's activities. He noted that the Secretariat should continue to be strengthened in a more professional direction to ensure the timely receipt, processing, and response to information, thereby enhancing the quality and effectiveness of the Association's work in the coming period.

Delegates pose for a commemorative photo. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

During the working program in Quang Tri Province, members of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association also participated in a series of commemorative activities. The delegation offered incense and paid tribute to fallen heroes and martyrs at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, Road 9 National Martyrs' Cemetery, and Truong Son National Martyrs' Cemetery. They also visited and presented gifts to exemplary families recognized for their meritorious service to the nation.

Some photos from the program:

Delegates of the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association offer incense and pay tribute to fallen heroes and martyrs at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Delegates offer incense and pay tribute to fallen heroes and martyrs at Road 9 National Martyrs' Cemetery. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Delegates offer incense and pay tribute to fallen heroes and martyrs at Truong Son National Martyrs' Cemetery. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Nguyen Toan Thang, Vice President of the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association, signs the memorial book on behalf of the delegation at Truong Son National Martyrs' Cemetery. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Delegates of the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association visit and present gifts to Vietnamese Heroic Mother Nguyen Thi Phuoc. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Delegates of the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association visit and present gifts to Hero of the People's Armed Forces Tran Huu Thuy. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

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