The Oktoberfest, the annual German beer and food festival, was kicked off in Da Nang, on Friday evening.

The organising committee shares information about the festival with press agencies. Photo: THU HA

The event was jointly organised by the German Business Association (GBA) in Viet Nam, the Furama Resort Danang and the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Viet Nam (AHK Viet Nam).

The intention was to introduce German culture and traditions to Vietnamese people, and at the same time be a bridge to promote exchange and cooperation between the two countries.

The festival delivered the lively carnival atmosphere of Bavaria with explosive moments from the famous music band O’zapft, consisting of members from Germany and Austria.

Mr. Elmar Dutt and Mr. Torben Minko, co-chairmen of GBA in Viet Nam, said that 2023 marked the 48^th anniversary of the establishment of the Viet Nam - Germany diplomatic ties. Relations are increasingly tightened in all fields, specifically in culture, economics, trade and investment.

The festival introduces German culture through vibrant and attractive music performances. Photo: THU HA

According to Mr. Marko Walde, Chief Representative of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Viet Nam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, GBA Oktoberfest 2023 aimed to introduce traditional German culture as well as promote exchange and cooperation between Viet Nam and Germany. It also was a great opportunity for the German business community, Vietnamese businesses and international businesses in Viet Nam to meet with each other as well as with their partners, colleagues and friends.

Mr. Andre De Jong, Head of the Oktoberfest Committee and member of the GBA Council, shared that in Viet Nam, Oktoberfest is also known as the "German Beer Festival". Attracting about 10,000 festival-goers every year, GBA Oktoberfest has become the largest beer festival in Southeast Asia

Over the past 30 years, "GBA Oktoberfest Viet Nam" has become an annual event introducing German culture and traditions closer to Vietnamese people. At the same time, this has been a bridge to promote trade and close cooperation between Germany and Viet Nam.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Quynh, Chairman of the Da Nang Hotel Association, GBA Oktoberfest will become an annual event in Da Nang in the coming time.

Reporting by THU HA – Translating by M.DUNG