1. High-Level Talks in Thuringia on Labour Cooperation
Vietnamese and German leaders discussed strategic solutions to address growing labour demand through transparent, ethical recruitment frameworks.
During a working visit to Germany, a delegation from Việt Nam’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), led by Deputy Minister Vũ Chiến Thắng, met with Mario Voigt, the Minister-President of Thuringia, and senior state officials in Erfurt.
Deputy Minister Thắng welcomed the opportunity to visit Thuringia at a milestone moment in bilateral relations, noting the steady growth of the Việt Nam-Germany Strategic Partnership. He expressed appreciation for Thuringia’s support during the COVID-19 pandemic and its continued engagement in investment and vocational training initiatives in Việt Nam.
Both sides acknowledged a shared challenge: Germany’s ageing population is driving strong demand for skilled professionals and seasonal workers, while Việt Nam’s young, capable, and increasingly well-trained workforce is ready to contribute.
Focus on Ethical and Transparent Recruitment
Discussions centered on establishing mechanisms that ensure:
- Lawful, transparent, and ethical recruitment practices
- Equal treatment, social security, and fair income for Vietnamese workers
- Long-term cooperation aligned with both countries’ labour policies
Thuringia authorities also outlined local workforce needs and ongoing recruitment projects in agriculture, nursing, and technical sectors. The two sides agreed to assign focal agencies to accelerate coordination and finalize legal frameworks to turn discussions into concrete cooperation programs.
2. Visit to Berlin Highlights Successful Nursing Cooperation
Existing partnerships in healthcare training demonstrate a sustainable model for skilled labour exchange between Việt Nam and Germany.
Earlier, the MoHA delegation visited the John F. Kennedy Nursing Home, part of the Vivantes Hospital Group in Berlin. Established in 2010, the facility employs 164 staff members, including 132 nurses, 18 of whom are Vietnamese.
According to Đặng Huy Hồng, Director of MoHA’s Centre of Overseas Labour (COLAB), cooperation with Vivantes between 2015 and 2022 enabled 916 Vietnamese workers to train and work in Germany.
Training, Scholarships, and Career Pathways
Under the program:
- Trainees completed two years of professional training
- Monthly scholarships ranged from EUR 1,100 to 1,300
- Graduates received a starting salary of around EUR 3,000 per month
In the second phase, participants benefited from:
- Financial support for German language training up to B2 level in Việt Nam
- Monthly allowances of EUR 300 for 18 months during training
- A starting salary of EUR 3,209 per month as a nursing assistant in Germany
- Salary increases to EUR 4,078 after full professional certification
3. Knowledge Transfer for an Ageing Việt Nam
Việt Nam aims to adapt Germany’s elderly care model while strengthening domestic caregiving capacity.
Deputy Minister Thắng praised the nursing home’s elderly care approach and thanked the institution for its continued support of Vietnamese nurses. He highlighted Việt Nam’s need to prepare for its own ageing population by adopting suitable care models and enhancing local training systems.
He also encouraged Vietnamese professionals working in Germany to strictly comply with labour contracts, continuously upgrade their skills, and eventually contribute their expertise back to Việt Nam.
This growing cooperation reflects a shared commitment by Việt Nam and Germany to build a skilled, ethical, and future-ready workforce—benefiting both economies while strengthening long-term bilateral ties.
