This meaningful initiative was launched and sponsored by the German Embassy and the German Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, with the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Goethe-Instituts in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Industry and Commerce in Vietnam (AHK Vietnam), to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Germany. The bus is funded by the German Government with support from German companies.
The German Ambassador to Viet Nam, Ms Helga Margarete Barth, together with German and Vietnamese partners, attended the launch of the bus's journey as part of the "Career Day – Discover the Future" event.
The "Career Day" connected experts and potential employers with prospective students, skilled workers and anyone interested in vocational training in Viet Nam to German standards or in vocational training in Germany.
The event provided comprehensive information and support for individuals interested in vocational training programmes, working as skilled workers, or higher education in Germany. It was attended by GIZ, the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK), DAAD, the Goethe-Institut Hanoi, German organisations and companies, and vocational education institutions in Viet Nam. These organisations presented a range of free programmes to facilitate study or work in Germany.
Hundreds of young people came looking for career opportunities at the event.
With its mission of "Carrying a Million Dreams", throughout its journey across Viet Nam in 2025 the "Career Orientation Bus" will provide the Vietnamese public with information on career and training opportunities in Germany, safe and legal pathways to study and work in Germany, language and cultural preparation programmes, and vocational and higher education programmes in Viet Nam to German standards. The project aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation on labour migration and to expand access to the international labour market for young people in Viet Nam.
The "Career Orientation Bus" will set off from Hanoi and travel through 20 provinces and cities across the country before ending its journey in Ho Chi Minh City. Along the way, the bus will stop at upper-secondary schools, colleges and universities, offering pupils and students engaging interactive experiences and games. Through these activities, young people will have the chance to learn more about high-quality study opportunities in Viet Nam as well as attractive prospects in Germany.
Visitors to the "Career Orientation Bus" will also be able to receive advice on safe and legal ways of migrating to Germany, meet education institutions in person, take part in career fairs and hear from alumni. In addition to counselling, the bus offers attractive cultural activities and experiences to bring German culture closer to the Vietnamese public.
A panel discussion was held in the Goethe-Institut auditorium: "Career Launchpad: Advancing Your Career in Germany or Viet Nam through Reputable, High-Quality Education and Training Programmes". Taking part in the discussion and Q&A were representatives of the German Embassy, the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Vietnam, GIZ, the Goethe-Institut and successful Vietnamese participants in German–Vietnamese cooperation programmes.
In addition to the above, many other activities took place during the event, including: counselling on pre-integration and vocational training in Germany; university pathways and course information; language examinations; studying at university in Germany – advancing your career in Germany; visa counselling; counselling on recognition of qualifications and working in Germany and in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate; vocational training and labour migration opportunities through GIZ projects PAM and MEG; taster German lessons; a workshop on writing job applications; a workshop on intercultural communication and country studies; a discussion on advancing your career in Germany or Viet Nam through reputable, high-quality education and training programmes; a screening of the short film "Ecological Footprint"; information on working in the state of Saxony; information on vocational training in the state of Saxony-Anhalt; information on working in the state of Thuringia; information on a project for working in Germany in the nursing sector; and practical training and research orientation in Hamburg and Viet Nam, among others.