Vietnamese in Germany Face Division Amidst Historic Struggles
The Vietnamese community in Germany has faced a divided landscape, with some associations not recognised by the Federal Association of Vietnamese. This division comes amidst a history marked by challenges and struggles, including right-wing attacks and deportation fears following the DDR's demise.
The DDR's end in 1989 brought difficult times for Vietnamese contract workers. Around 60,000 lived there by 1990, following an agreement in 1980 to deploy workers from Vietnam. The unification treaty offered only a temporary right to stay until 1994. During this period, workers faced right-wing attacks, notably the 1992 pogrom in Rostock-Lichtenhagen, where Wolfgang Richter, despite rumours, was neither killed nor injured.
Almuth Berger, the last DDR government's commissioner for foreigners, was honoured for her service. She later served as Brandenburg's commissioner. Berger's efforts contributed to a 1997 regulation granting residence permits to law-abiding workers who earned their living.
The Vietnamese community in Germany continues to grapple with division and recognition issues. Despite past struggles, including right-wing attacks and temporary residence rights, former contract workers have been granted permanent residency, thanks to efforts like those of Almuth Berger and Wolfgang Richter's campaigning.
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