The ancient Hoi An city in central Quang Nam province has become the first Vietnamese city to twin with a German counterpart under an agreement signed recently in the sister city - Wernigerode.

At the signing ceremony, Chairman of the Hoi An municipal People’s Committee Le Van Giang said that the close relationship between Hoi An and Wernigerode will bring about practical interests for both sides in various fields.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Nguyen Thi Hoang Anh, Head Minister of the State of Sachsen-Anhalt Rainer Robra and Secretary of the Quang Nam provincial Party Committee Nguyen Duc Hai all expressed their belief that the twin relationship will help raise the level of Vietnam - Germany relations.

Wernigerode Mayor Peter Gaffert said the Vietnamese community in Germany has integrated well into the country. In particular, a number of Vietnamese students have achieved high academic results, and they are among the best foreign students in the city.

Following the signing ceremony, the officials attended the Lantern Festival’s opening in Wernigerode. Thousands of lanterns from Hoi An lit up the city until July 28 while local residents got a chance to see Vietnamese arts and martial art performances.

Earlier, a Germany-Vietnam economic forum was held at the Harz University in Wernigerode. The two sides presented their economic relations, each country’s potentials and strength, as well as exchanged opinions on investment and cooperation opportunities in the two cities.

Hoi An is an ancient town in central Quang Nam province, and was recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999.

Source: VNA