The Vietnam Dialogue 2025, a leading high-level economic forum, was convened in Frankfurt, Germany, on November 20, 2025. The event served as a powerful testament to the flourishing strategic partnership between Vietnam and Germany, coinciding with the landmark 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Organized by Vietnam Advisors in collaboration with the German Asia-Pacific Business Association (OAV), the Dialogue brought together approximately 150 Vietnamese and German business leaders, experts, and representatives from prominent European corporations in the fields of technology, finance, and energy.
The event’s core mission was to connect decision-makers and investors to explore new avenues for collaboration and drive strategic investment into Vietnam’s dynamic market.
Vietnam is Germany’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia, and its sixth-largest partner in Asia.
German businesses are currently ranked 18th out of 151 countries investing in Vietnam, with a total registered capital of $2.9 billion. 530 German companies are operating in Vietnam.
Most recently, this November, the German Federal Parliament unanimously approved the European Union-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), which underscores the political commitment to a stable and favorable investment environment in Vietnam.
Four Pillars of Economic Cooperation
The 2025 edition focused on four major themes that are shaping the future of Vietnam-European Union (EU) economic cooperation:
- Strengthening Strategic Relations: Discussions assessed the trajectory of Vietnam-Germany-EU relations, affirming the deep commitment to the bilateral Strategic Partnership and acknowledging Germany’s role as Vietnam’s leading trading partner in Europe. The recent ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) was highlighted as a political commitment to a stable and favorable investment environment.
- Vietnam as a Global Technology Hub: A significant focus was placed on Vietnam’s emergence as a tech powerhouse, moving “beyond manufacturing” and highlighting the nation’s potential to attract investment in high technology and digital transformation. Speakers emphasized the country’s young, skilled, and eager-to-learn workforce as a key driver of this growth.
- Driving the Green Transition: The forum underscored the critical opportunities for European businesses and investors in Vietnam’s commitment to sustainable development. Topics explored included the application of advanced technologies, renewable energy projects, and the vital role of sustainable finance in helping Vietnam achieve its ambitious goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
Navigating Global Dynamics: Experts shared insights on macroeconomic shifts, modern market dynamics, and adapting business strategy to a new era of geopolitics, geoeconomics, and geofinance. The stability of Vietnam’s political system and the government’s strong reform commitments were presented as compelling factors for international investors.
A Platform for Actionable Outcomes
The Vietnam Dialogue is widely recognized as a crucial connection space, providing attendees with exclusive market insights, policy and regulation updates, and direct access to investment opportunities in Vietnam’s key sectors—from infrastructure and technology to renewable energy.
The strong turnout and high caliber of participants, including the Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany, senior corporate executives, and leaders from institutions like GIZ, Frankfurt Main Finance, and various German and Vietnamese banks, reaffirmed the event’s status as an essential annual forum for fostering mutual growth and elevating Vietnam-European cooperation to new heights.
