Vietnam and Germany deepen cooperation in culture, sport and tourism
In Hanoi on 31 July 2026, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh held a courtesy meeting with German Ambassador to Vietnam Helga Margarete Barth. Also present were embassy staff and leaders of the ministry’s departments and units, including Ha Van Sieu, Deputy Head of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.
In culture, the two countries have long worked closely on heritage conservation; Germany has provided technical support for many treasured sites, notably the Complex of Hue Monuments, with more than two decades of contribution from expert Andrea Teufel and the German Association for Cultural Heritage Conservation. Germany has decided to fund the joint conservation project in Vietnam for two more years. In sport, following a friendly between Germany’s SV Werder Bremen women’s club and Vietnam’s women’s team marking 50 years of diplomatic ties, the embassy is arranging a men’s football friendly expected in September 2026.
In tourism, more than 175,000 German visitors came to Vietnam in the first half of 2026, up 16% year on year. The two sides want to open more direct flights, increase familiarisation trips and share tourism-development experience. Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh affirmed the value Vietnam places on its strategic partnership with Germany and its wish to learn from German experience in heritage conservation, film festivals and building the cultural industries.
Quick questions
When and between whom did the meeting take place?
On 31 July 2026 in Hanoi, between Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh and German Ambassador Helga Margarete Barth.
How many German visitors came to Vietnam in the first half of 2026?
More than 175,000, up 16% year on year.
In which areas is cooperation most notable?
Heritage conservation (notably Hue, with Germany funding two more years), sport (a football friendly) and tourism (more direct flights and familiarisation trips).
Sources
Written by the association from published reporting; figures and quotes follow the sources above.
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