Vietnamese integrate into German society: official

The Vietnamese community in Germany is increasingly integrating into society and making substantial contributions to the economy in the German state of Brandenburg.

Dr. Karin Weiss, Brandenburg’s Commissioner of Immigration, stated this at a recent reception for the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, Nguyen Thanh Son, in Potsdam, the capital of Brandenburg.

Weiss underlined the enormous potential for the traditional friendship between Brandensburg and Vietnam and said that he believed this visit would consolidate relations between the two sides, especially in economics and investment.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Son asked his German hosts to continue helping the Vietnamese community to develop the economy and integrate into German society. He also mentioned the possibility of twining the cities of Potsdam and Hue, as they share many similarities.

Earlier on August 25, Son had a meeting with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Berlin and asked them to foster solidarity and set up a Vietnamese Association in Germany to ensure the interests of Vietnamese people living in the country.

Related Articles

• Ha Noi'officials and youth hold road safety campaign
• Fighting fake make-up
• US-ASEAN economic ties 'priority' despite no-show
• Amnesty indicates nation's leniency
• Greenback firmer on signs of rising demand

Prisoners hope for amnesty

Prisoners being trained in sewing skills at a vocational course in Nam Ha Prison in Ha Nam Province to prepare to reintegrate into society after the amnesty.— VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Dan

HA NOI — Dang Xuan Hoa has served 13 years of a life sentence for misappropriating public property. He longs for the day when he will be able to go home and meet his parents.

That day could come very soon, as Hoa is among the 160 prisoners at Nam Ha Prison being considered for amnesty on Independence Day next Thursday.

"I am really happy about that," he said.

After serving in the army during the country's resistance war against the US, he returned home and started his own company. In 1997 he was sentenced to life in jail for theft.

He is considered a model prisoner. He has worked hard in the kitchen, and held teaching classes for other prisoners. He has been head of the prisoners' self-management board for many years.

Hoa said if he was granted his freedom, he would go home to look after his parents.

"I repent of the crime I committed. I just want to have a chance to repay society. I have done so little for my parents," he said.

Nguyen Ngoc Phu, deputy director of the prison, said more prisoners would be released this year than on any other occasion.

In the days running up to Independence Day, prison officials have been busy organising training courses on life skills, re-integration into society, and the law, Phu said.

When the amnesties are announced, prisoners will be advised on the Party and State's tolerance policy so that those released will be able to become valuable members of the community.

Nam Ha Prison now has more than 2,500 male prisoners, most of whom have committed serious crimes, crimes involving national security or are multiple re-offenders.

"Many of them were pugnacious when they first came to the jail," Phu said. "But staff have tried hard to work closely with the inmates, talk to them and persuade them to be honest and kind-hearted people. It takes a long time, but for many it has worked out," he said.

The Central Advisory Committee has proposed granting amnesty to 17,000 prisoners on National Day.

Under the Law on Amnesty, prisoners to be released must have served at least one-third of their jail sentence and demonstrated a willingness to be rehabilitated into society. — VNS

Related Articles

• New decree hopes to protect holders of convertible bonds
• India says BlackBerry must give access or face ban
• Danang hosts series of AEM consultations
• Naval forces boost global co-operation
• Chau Doc’s curried fish vermicelli: Bun nuoc ken