There are many parallels between Germany and Vietnam, if it is with the number of inhabitants, with the size of territory or it is with the war trauma. In spite of these similarities which could evoke spontaneous interest if not sympathies for each other, it was the division of both of their countries which prevented them from becoming good fellows earlier. Since both countries were reunited however, the rapprochement became easier, though many more hurdles had to be taken, particularly during the entire phase of the nineties. Politically only two issues still make some trouble: the human rights situation in Vietnam and the policy of repatriation of thousands of Vietnamese still living illegally in Germany. Economically things are running smoothly. Germany is handling 30% of the Vietnamese trade with EU. Culturally the Vietnam visit of the German Bundespräsident in May 2007 has done a lot. According to the contract concluded in Hanoi a GVU (German-Vietnamese University) will be established in order to promote sustainability in the relationship between both countries.
