Leipzig proposes direct flight to Ho Chi Minh City, other areas of cooperation

Schulke, who is also Leipzig's commissioner for economic affairs, employment and digital transformation, made the proposal during a meeting with deputy chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City administration Nguyen Manh Cuong on Monday, during a visit by a delegation from the German state of Saxony.

Schulke said Leipzig is the centre of Central German Metropolitan Region, which has around eight million residents, along with a Vietnamese community of more than 50,000 people and residents from surrounding areas.

A direct flight between Leipzig and Ho Chi Minh City would bring the two sides closer and facilitate tourism, trade, and business exchanges, Schulke said.

He also expressed his readiness to welcome a high-level Ho Chi Minh City delegation during its planned visit to Germany, while hoping the two sides would further exchange scientific research and solutions to improve people's quality of life, according to the city authorities.

During the meeting, Schulke said the German side is interested in cooperation on electronics, microelectronics, semiconductors, medical technology, and the circular economy.

He noted that Leipzig has facilities that combine research and production, allowing research findings to be quickly translated into practical applications.

Schulke also said German companies have extensive experience in clean water supply and wastewater treatment in Vietnam, describing water as an important issue for infrastructure and quality of life.

In response, Cuong said Ho Chi Minh City wants to learn from German localities and partners in environmental protection, climate change response, traffic safety, public transportation, and economic development, according to the city authorities.

The city also seeks to expand ties with Germany in high technology, emerging technologies, innovation, water supply, wastewater treatment, urban development, healthcare, human resource training, semiconductors, information technology, engineering, and education, Nguyen said.

He added that Ho Chi Minh City plans to send a delegation to Germany, including Leipzig, to visit and work with local authorities and further advance bilateral ties.

Cuong also asked agencies on both sides to turn previously agreed areas of cooperation into concrete projects.

Schulke said the German delegation was impressed by Vietnam, particularly Ho Chi Minh City, and that the two sides could learn from each other, especially in administrative reform, which Leipzig is also seeking to advance.

He said trade relations between Vietnam and Germany still have considerable room for growth and noted that Germany has established a center to connect businesses from the two countries.

Schulke also highlighted upcoming technical, medical, and railway technology fairs that will feature Vietnamese representatives, according to the city authorities.