Can Tho, German city eye green tourism cooperation
Authorities of Can Tho and a delegation from Germany’s Wernigerode city led by Mayor Tobias Kascha agreed to strengthen cooperation in various fields, with a focus on sustainable green tourism, during a working session in the Mekong Delta city on March 8.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Duong Tan Hien said Can Tho boasts a strong agricultural sector, with 80% of its land for farming (nearly 115,000 ha). The city is a hub for services and tourism, with rice, seafood, fruit trees and animal farming forming the backbone of its agricultural industry.
Last year, the city accommodated roughly 6 million visitors, generating a revenue of VND5.42 trillion (US$225.8 million). Leveraging the advantages provided by the Government’s pilot specific policies and mechanisms for Can Tho's development, the city aims to maximise its potential and become a stronger economic force.
Hien emphasised the mutual benefits of increased agricultural cooperation between Wernigerode and Can Tho, saying that it aligns perfectly with Can Tho's strategic focus on developing its services- tourism.
The city commits all possible support for firms from Germany, particularly those from Wernigerode to do business there, he said.
Hien wished that Mayor Kascha would act as a bridge, facilitating information exchange and business opportunities for Can Tho enterprises seeking to expand into Wernigerode.
Mayor Kascha expressed his desire for deeper cooperation across various sectors. He highlighted Germany's existing twinning relationships with Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An, which he believes provide a solid foundation for further locality-to-locality partnerships between Vietnam and Germany.
Wernigerode, like Can Tho, prioritises tourism as a key economic driver, he said, noting the German city's extensive experience in sustainable green tourism models. He expressed his willingness to share this expertise with Can Tho while learning from the Mekong Delta city's successful models, particularly those focusing on green tourism adaptable to climate change.
According to the municipal Department of Foreign Affairs, Can Tho exported US$18.15 million worth of goods to Germany last year, with rice, aquatic products, agricultural and processed agricultural products, apparel and handicrafts as key currency earners. Its imports from Germany reached US$260,000, mostly pharmaceutical materials, machinery and equipment.
