News
News
Event on October 10th -12th at Hotel Nikko Saigon
The 2024 GBA Oktoberfest concluded successfully, promoting German culture with seven nights of festivities across three major cities: Hanoi, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City. The grand finale, held from October 10-12 at Hotel Nikko Saigon, was a blast!
Since 1992, this spectacular celebration of German heritage and friendship with Vietnam has offered intercultural exchange activities through authentic culinary experiences, premium German beer tasting, and live Bavarian music.
This year, over 10,000 local and international festival-goers joined us for this unforgettable experience, consuming over 20,000 liters of beer and 2,000 kg of authentic sausages across three fantastic locations. All nights were sold out!
German Deputy Consul General, Mr. Christopher David Scholl, expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality the German community consistently receives from their Vietnamese hosts. He emphasized that Oktoberfest is an opportunity to reciprocate this kindness and share German culture with the local community. Scholl highlighted the event’s potential for fostering stronger ties between Vietnamese and German individuals and organizations.
GBA Chairman Mr. Alexander Ziehe underlined: “We are truly grateful to our event partners, sponsors, supporters, the GBA Board and Office team, as well as all attendees for creating a high quality event series and sharing happiness over three weeks in Vietnam.
Event on Sep 30th, 2024
The conference: How European Export Agencies can support business in Vietnam
The Dutch Business Association Vietnam (DBAV) is proud to be a local organizer of this conference, which supports the positive impact of European trade relations. With a commitment to building a bridge between Vietnam and the Netherlands, DBAV is dedicated to fostering collaboration and facilitating opportunities for Dutch enterprises to thrive in the Vietnamese market.
This event featured the special attendance of representatives from embassies, including Mr. Daniël Stork, Consul General of the Netherlands in HCM.
A special thank you to Atradius Dutch State Business and their partners for bringing this insightful session to Vietnam and DBAV’s members, and to all the speakers and participants for making this event a success!
HCMC, September 18th DeutschenTreff
An electrifying gathering took place at BAR SON – Le Méridien Saigon, with a fantastic turnout of 100 professionals from diverse industries and organizations. The evening was filled with vibrant discussions and valuable knowledge sharing, sparking conversations that promise to build lasting partnerships.
Join the German Business Association – GBA community and dive into Vietnam’s most vibrant professional network. Connect with dedicated experts, access unique insights, and lead the way in industry innovation.
GBA Gala Dinner & Business Awards on August 29th 2024
Ho Chi Minh City, August 29th 2024 – The German Business Association (GBA) successfully held its inaugural GBA Gala Dinner & Business Awards at Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection in Ho Chi Minh City to recognize and celebrate exceptional businesses across various sectors, including Green Business, Business Innovation, SME Excellence, CSR Achievement, and Young Innovation.
The event was graced by the presence of 200 members and special guests, namely Dr. Josefine Wallat, German Consul General, Mr. Dominik Meichle, Chairman of EuroCham Vietnam, along with jury members, and the award contenders.
Opening the event, Mr. Alexander Ziehe, Chairman of GBA, conveyed: “The GBA Business Awards were conceived to celebrate the collective excellence of the GBA community, to recognize outstanding contributions in sustainability, innovation, entrepreneurship, and corporate social responsibility. This event honors the strength, resilience, and forward-thinking spirit of businesses, showcases their dedication to innovation and commitment to excellence despite global challenges”.
Mr. Alexander Ziehe, Chairman of GBA delivered the opening speech at the event.
In her remarks at the celebration, Dr. Josefine Wallat stated: “German companies tend to not only excel in their industries or be hidden champions offering unique solutions, but they stand for quality, innovation, sustainability, and corporate responsibility. The GBA Awards recognize all of these qualities and are a testament to the strong relationship between Germany and Vietnam”.
Dr. Josefine Wallat, German Consul General at the awards ceremony.
The GBA Business Awards featured 32 companies competing in four categories: Green Business of the Year, Business Innovation, SME Excellence, and CSR Achievement. The top 3 of 3 categories of the Green Business of the Year, Business Innovation & SME Excellence will be nominated for the EuroCham Business Awards in October.
Mr. Dominik Meichle, Chairman of EuroCham
Highlights
HCMC, August 21 2024 Team Building Event
An electrifying gathering took place at Sofitel Saigon Plaza – Boudoir Lounge, with a fantastic turnout of 102 professionals from diverse industries and organizations. We were honored by the presence of the German Deputy Consul General, Mr. Christopher David Scholl, at our signature networking event, DeutschenTreff. The evening was filled with vibrant discussions and valuable knowledge sharing, sparking conversations that promise to build lasting partnerships.
Event on June 5, 2024
On June 5th, the GBA convened its monthly meeting at Le Méridien Saigon, drawing 62 attendees. Chaired by GBA Board members Dr. Oliver Massmann and Mr. Johannes Klausch, the session focused on Vietnam’s Data Protection Laws. Insights on the Personal Data Protection Decree (PDPD) and its implications for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) were shared, drawing comparisons with the EU’s GDPR. The meeting also marked the farewell of Mr. Klausch, acknowledging his contributions to the GBA and German business relations in Southeast Asia.
Job Fair Event at VGU on June 5, 2024
April 26th. ANG Office Grand Opening
Event on April 8, 2024
On April 8, 2024, the German Business Association (GBA) held its monthly meeting at Sofitel Plaza Saigon, attracting 70 attendees. The session, led by GBA Vice-Chairwoman Ms. Minh Nguyen and Vice-Chairman Mr. Torben Minko, featured German Ambassador to Vietnam, Dr. Guido Hildner, and EuroCham Vietnam Chairman, Mr. Dominik Meichle, as keynote speakers.
The meeting’s theme “Embark on Vietnam’s Dynamic 2024: Explore Civic Vibrancy & Advocacy Trends” sparked a lively discussion. Participants delved into Vietnam’s political landscape, examining strategies for business growth and success in the country’s evolving markets. The speakers shared insights on international relations and strategic partnerships influencing Vietnam’s business environment.
Mr. Meichle highlighted EuroCham Vietnam’s main goals for 2024: to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), expanding regional outreach, advancing advocacy efforts, and being driven by data. Leading the advocacy for #TeamEurope, EuroCham Vietnam commits to supporting all sector committees – beyond just those related to environmental concerns – through regular dialogues with policymakers. Challenges are professionally articulated in writing, advocacy priorities are monitored, and achievements are communicated.
Ambassador Hildner concentrated on the energy transition and labor migration as pivotal elements of German-Vietnamese relations. He highlighted Vietnam’s significant role in spearheading the energy sector’s shift towards renewable sources, bolstered by the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with Germany.
The meeting also underscored Vietnam’s significance in supplying skilled labor to Germany, a topic highlighted during Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier’s visit in January 2024. The successful integration of Vietnamese jobseekers into the German labor market was celebrated, with over 4000 work visas issued in 2023 alone, and plans for further visa facilitation were discussed.
The GBA board and members also welcomed Mr. Peter Kompalla as the new Chief Representative of the German Industry and Commerce Delegation in Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos from April 1, 2024. Mr. Kompalla highlighted the importance of collaboration between GBA and AHK Vietnam to enhance bilateral trade relations and develop effective strategies for the future.
The GBA expressed our appreciation to the speakers and participants for making the meeting a resounding success and looks forward to future gatherings that will continue to inspire the community in Vietnam.
Meeting March 29, 2024
2nd followup meeting with Peoples Commity in Dong Nai for finelizing the process to have CLX implemented on map VIII to be a electric power provider.
March 28th, 2024
Vietnam - Germany Business Forum: Collaborative Pathways to Green Growth in Ho Chi Minh City
Event Details
The National Assembly’s Resolution No.98/2023/QH15, effective from August 1, 2023, initiates a pilot for unique development policies in Ho Chi Minh City, enhancing investment opportunities, especially in green growth and innovation. Additionally, at COP26, Vietnam pledged to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050.
In this context, European countries, especially the Federal Republic of Germany, are at the forefront of global economic development in green growth, achieving significant success in environmental protection and sustainable development.
With the aim of expanding access opportunities, updating the investment environment, and introducing new development mechanisms of Ho Chi Minh City to German investors, the Investment and Trade Promotion Center of Ho Chi Minh City (ITPC) in coordination with the German Business Association (GBA) and the United Overseas Bank (UOB) will host the Vietnam-Germany Business Forum, focusing on green growth collaboration.
Speakers
Alexander Ziehe
Chairman at German Business Association (GBA)
Erick Contreras
Chairman of EuroCham Green Growth Sector Committee and Managing Director of BASF Vietnam
Mathias G. Kothe
Founder & Managing Director of Syntera Solar International AG
Vu Minh Quang
Enterprise Solution Director of FPT Information System Corporati
Current Waste to Energy (WtE) Markets & Trends in Vietnam
Waste-to-energy production is becoming a useful solution in the world, In Vietnam, a country with a numerous population and growing economy, solid waste management has become a serious issue, attracting the attention of the local government and businesses. Environmental issues and demand for land in urban areas also lead to an urgent need for the waste-to-energy solution, thus helping to ensure energy security.
Statistics showed that about 5,400 tonnes of solid waste discharged from households in Hanoi each day, while the figure in Ho Chi Minh City reaches8,300 tonnes per day.
However, up to 90 percent of solid waste in Hanoi and 76 percent in HCM City are buried. The rest is burned, recycled or converted into organic fertilizer.
Temporary landfill sites are already overloaded, and the environment will be seriously affected unless advanced technologies are applied. The waste from industrial, agricultural, forestry and livestock production is treated and used rationally for the energy purpose.
To improve the percentage of livestock waste treatment for energy purpose from around 5% in 2015 to around 10% by 2020, around 50% by 2030, most livestock waste shall be treated by 2050.
To increase the percentage of livestock waste treatment for energy purpose from the negligible rate for the time being to 30% by2020, round 70% by2030 and most of it is utilized for energy purpose by 2050.
Event of March 19th
GBA Event HCMC, March 4, 2024
HCMC, March 4, 2024 – The inaugural GBA Monthly Business Meeting of the year was held at Park Hyatt Saigon, boasting an unprecedented turnout of over 100 attendees. The event was presided over by GBA Chairman Mr. Alexander Ziehe alongside three distinguished keynote speakers: Mr. Huynh Buu Quang, Country Chief Officer of Deutsche Bank Vietnam; Mr. Micah Shepard, Regional President & CEO Asia of Schaeffler; and Mr. Minh Nguyen, Partner & Head of Advisory Services at Mazars Vietnam.
These industry vanguards provided a comprehensive overview of the Macro-Economic Outlook for Vietnam in 2024, along with in-depth analyses and best practices pertaining to Vietnam’s role within ASEAN, encapsulated in the following topics:
- Vietnam Economic Outlook 2024
- Southeast Asia Automotive Market Development
- Development of Vietnam’s Policies in Key Areas Impacting Foreign Investment
Meeting December 5, 2023
Introduction of the ANG’s Project to the Peoples Committee in Dong Nai supported by the German Consulate represented by the represented Vice Consul Mr. Christopher Scholl
