Germany: Berlin renames a tram station to recognize the contributions of Vietnamese people

On June 8th, the official renaming ceremony for the metro station "Herzbergstr./Dong-Xuan" took place in Berlin, Germany.

This event is symbolic of the successful integration and enduring contributions of the Vietnamese community in Germany, and marks a new milestone in the friendly cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Germany.

Attending the ceremony, on the Vietnamese side were the Vietnamese Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, Nguyen Dac Thanh, and his wife; and Mr. Nguyen Van Hien, General Director of the Dong Xuan Trade Center Berlin. On the German side were Ms. Ute Bonde, Senator in charge of Transport, Climate Protection and Environment of the State of Berlin; Mr. Martin Schaefer, District Mayor of Lichtenberg; along with representatives from the Berlin State Parliament, the Berlin Public Transport Company (BVG), numerous representatives from associations, businesses, and the Vietnamese community in Berlin and some regions of Germany.

Previously, on January 8th, BVG announced that the Berlin city government and the Lichtenberg district had decided to rename the tram station located in front of the main entrance of the Dong Xuan Trade Center to "Herzbergstr./Dong-Xuan". The renaming ceremony, held on June 8th, marked the official appearance of the tram station bearing a Vietnamese name on the public transport map of the German capital.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Nguyen Dac Thanh emphasized that the "Dong Xuan" port is not only a new landmark on Berlin's transport network, but also a recognition of the active integration and sustained contributions of the Vietnamese community to the development of the city, where many expatriates have become attached and consider it their second home.

The Ambassador also congratulated the Vietnamese community in Germany and the leadership of the Dong Xuan Trade Center for their persistent efforts in lobbying and building consensus with the local authorities and residents to officially bring the name "Dong Xuan" into Berlin's urban life.

Appreciating the role of the Dong Xuan Trade Center as a space connecting the Vietnamese community and generations in Germany, Ms. Ute Bonde affirmed that renaming the train station is a clear symbol of recognizing the contributions of the Vietnamese community to the development of Berlin. She emphasized that train stations are not only places for picking up and dropping off passengers but also reflect the stories and values of the city. Through this event, the city wants to affirm that "Dong Xuan is a part of Berlin", closely linked to the identity and rhythm of life of the city.

The "Herzbergstr./Dong-Xuan" metro station, formerly known as "Herzbergstr./Industriegebiet" is a vital transport link in the city. The renaming is the result of more than a decade of persistent lobbying with the support of the Vietnamese Embassy, the Vietnamese community in Berlin, and the Lichtenberg district authorities.

Representatives from Lichtenberg district and BVG stated that the event demonstrated their appreciation for the Vietnamese community and affirmed their continued support for the development of the Dong Xuan Trade Center and the local Vietnamese community.

The official appearance of a tram station named after Vietnam in the German public transport system is a rare occurrence, reflecting the growing prominence of the Vietnamese community here.

In an interview with a VNA reporter in Berlin, Mr. Nguyen Van Hien expressed his emotion and pride that the city of Berlin decided to rename the tram station to "Dong Xuan".

According to him, this name is not only a symbol of Vietnamese-German friendship, but also a bridge for German people to better understand Vietnam, its people, and its culture.

Sharing his joy with the Vietnamese community, Matthias Wetzel, a German who loves Vietnam, believes that the docks not only serve transportation purposes but also preserve the memories and identity of the city. The presence of the "Dong Xuan" dock is a vivid symbol of the good friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Germany.