To celebrate the 35th anniversary of German-Vietnamese diplomatic relations the “Germany in Vietnam” year (www.deutschland-in-vietnam.de) with a manifold selection of programs and events was announced for 2010. The program is designed to reflect the entire range and complexity of bilateral relations. At the same time, the country Vietnam presents itself in Germany throughout 2010 with an event calendar titled “Vietnam in Germany 2010”.

As part of the events scheduled for 2010 in Vietnam, the German ODA program “Wastewater and Solid Waste Management in Provincial Centers” in cooperation with its partners, local wastewater service providers, carry out “German-Vietnamese Days” in five participating provinces (Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Can Tho, Tra Vinh and Soc Trang). Besides serving the purpose to celebrate bilateral relations and present Germany at other locations than the metropoles of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the “German-Vietnamese Days” also aim at raising public awareness of the program’s contents related to environmental consciousness, water-born diseases and other wastewater related issues.

“The first “German-Vietnamese Day” will take place on April 15, 2010 in Kinh Bac Cultural Center in Bac Ninh City. The location lies only a 45 minutes drive from Hanoi along the highway towards the Chinese border (Lang Son). The program is scheduled to start with opening words by the German embassy and the Bac Ninh Provincial People’s Committee.at 08:30h. The agenda comprises amongst others, exhibitions, art performances, children’s-games, a German food cooking competition, an open day at the Bac Ninh water plant and a German-Vietnamese friendly football match at the stadium of Dai Phuc ward. A detailed agenda can be downloaded here. Vietnamese and foreigners living in Hanoi are invited to join the event. Entrance is free of charge.