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

At the signing ceremony, Chairman of the Hoi An municipal People’sCommittee Le Van Giang said that the close relationship between Hoi Anand Wernigerode will bring about practical interests for both sides invarious fields.

Vietnamese Ambassador to GermanyNguyen Thi Hoang Anh, Head Minister of the State of Sachsen-AnhaltRainer Robra and Secretary of the Quang Nam provincial Party CommitteeNguyen Duc Hai all expressed their belief that the twin relationshipwill help raise the level of Vietnam - Germany relations.

Wernigerode Mayor Peter Gaffert said the Vietnamese community inGermany has integrated well into the country. In particular, a numberof Vietnamese students have achieved high academic results, and they areamong the best foreign students in the city.

Following the signing ceremony, the officials attended the LanternFestival’s opening in Wernigerode. Thousands of lanterns from Hoi An litup the city until July 28 while local residents got a chance to seeVietnamese arts and martial art performances.

Earlier, a Germany-Vietnam economic forum was held at the HarzUniversity in Wernigerode. The two sides presented their economicrelations, each country’s potentials and strength, as well as exchangedopinions 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.-VNA