HANOI IEC: Fine Symbol of Vietnam - Germany Friendship

I was lucky to have the opportunity to study in German universities since 1988. After graduating in philosophy and international law from the University of Leipzig, I continued to study and obtained a master’s degree of SME Development. In 15 years of working and studying in Germany, I had many opportunities to meet with German friends and business partners. I saw that we needed a bridge to link German and Vietnamese businesses. As known, Germany is renowned for high-quality products and services and modern technologies. Meanwhile, Vietnam has great potential for raw materials, labour, natural resources and agricultural products. Businesses of the two nations need supporting units with good command of languages and understanding of cultures to set up relations, find out information and promote long-term cooperation.

 

Foreseeing this demand, I decided to start my career after I returned to Vietnam: Providing information and consultancy for German firms seeking business opportunities in Vietnam.

 

Therefore, in addition to being a representative for BBI Training and Consultant Institute in 2002 that consults and trains students seeking to study in Germany, I also set up Hanoi IEC Ltd to consult and promote trade and investment projects for German enterprises in Vietnam and for Vietnamese businesses wanting to export goods and establish trade cooperation with German businesses and organisations.

 

 

We have been a representative office for Thuringia Economic Development Office (Germany) in Vietnam since 2004 and for the German Association of Consulting Engineers (VBI) in Vietnam to support German specialists and businesses in construction, health, food and heavy industries since 2008. HANOI IEC Company has become one of a few business consulting organisations for German businesses in Vietnam and always maintained close cooperation with the German Industry and Commerce (GIC/AHK) and the Embassy of Germany. Our customers and partners are reputed corporations in Vietnam and the world, including Schaeffler (automotive industry), Siegwerk (ink), Ensinger (plastic), Leoni (electric cables), Schueco (construction glass), and Inros Lackner, Otto Bock and Peter Brehm in health sector. In nearly 15 years of providing information, consulting and support services for German companies in Vietnam, more than 300 German firms have used our services and about 15 percent of them have been successful in their business operations, including investment, production factory construction, market development, and purchase of materials and finished products from Vietnam.

 

We support Thueringen medical companies to invest and do business in Vietnam. We have expanded operations - importing pharmaceuticals and advanced medical equipment for German companies like equipment used for injury and orthopaedic surgeries, products for joint treatment, and immunity-enhancing products.

 

HANOI IEC’s philosophy is selecting totally Germany-manufactured products of technological advancement and superiority, quality and high effect for users - Vietnamese patients. The company’s suppliers are trusted companies in Thueringen State in particular and Germany in general like Peter Brehm (artificial groin and knee joint), K-implant (artificial groin for young patients), Intercus (titanium-screwed braces), Gramme Revit (pharmaceuticals like Duovital and Tebexerol), and many other businesses.

HANOI IEC attaches much importance to exchanging information and experience between professionals and physicians of Germany and Vietnam to enhance the professional development of Vietnamese physicians and deepen medical cooperation between the two countries. We cooperate with German companies to organise workshops and advanced training programmes on surgical techniques in Germany and in Vietnam. In Vietnam, we carry out technology transfer programmes at Vietnam-Germany Hospital, Hospital 108, Thai Binh General Hospital, HCM City Hospital for Traumatology and Orthopaedic, and Hospital of HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

 

In my opinion, Vietnamese companies have many cooperation opportunities with German organisations and businesses. Firstly, Vietnam - Germany cooperative relationship has been strongly developed in many aspects. The Government of Germany is very much interested in developing cooperation ties in investment, financing, infrastructure and cultural exchanges between the two countries. The two countries have traditional bilateral cultural relations. Vietnamese young people were sent to Germany to study since as early as 1955. Some 70,000 Vietnamese people have studied or worked in Germany and served as a good bridge to connect the two nations.

 

In development cooperation, Vietnam is one of the most important partners of Germany in Asia. Germany has pledged a total ODA aid of EUR1.8 billion for Vietnam since 1990. Bilateral development cooperation has focused on supporting Vietnam’s sustainable economic growth (green growth) and improving the competitiveness of Vietnam’s industrial experts. Germany - Vietnam bilateral development cooperation currently concentrates on the following areas: Vocational training, environmental protection (biodiversity and coastline protection) and energy (energy efficiency and renewable energy development).

 

Vietnam and Germany will celebrate the third anniversary of signing of strategic partnership agreement. This is a favourable opportunity for the two countries to promote their in-depth multi-sector cooperation programmes. Germany and the EU as a whole are always ready to support Vietnam with both material and experience to develop the country sustainably and ensure social security.

 

This shows the rising confidence of the German Government in Vietnam. Vietnamese businesses need to identify and grasp opportunities based on investment objectives of the German Government in every development stage. Besides, in production, business and service, Vietnamese companies should make every effort to build the image and brand, and ensure the quality and credibility of cooperation.

 

In my point of view, to send the bilateral friendly relations to a new high, the two countries should promote their mutual support to carry out cooperation projects effectively and innovatively to produce benefits for businesses and citizens.

 

Germany and Vietnam need to have plans and exchanges of carrying out methods and processes for every cooperation activity because of their differences in culture, language and administrative procedures. Vietnam should propose difficulties that businesses and governments face in production (industry, agriculture), technology, service, training and human resources quality improvement that Germany has enough experience and resources to help.

 

-          Pharmaceuticals / dietary supplements researched, invented and manufactured in Germany: Duovital (supporting treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis), Tebexerol/Immunoxel (immune system strengthening) made by Gramme Revit GmbH, health care products made by Orthomol.