DEUTSCHES HAUS HO CHI MINH CITY IS CELEBRATING ITS OFFICIAL TOPPING OUT CEREMONY IN THE PRESENCE OF THE FEDERAL MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS DR. FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER

From left to right: Prof. Meinhard von Gerkan (Architekten von Gerkan, Marg & Partner), Mr. Horst J. Pudwill (Co-Chairman & Investor of Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh Stadt Ltd.), Mr. Horst F. Geicke (Chairman & Investor of Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh Stadt Ltd.), Ms. Phan Thi My Linh (Vice Minister of Construction), Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier (Federal Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany), Mr. Lê Van Khoa (Vice Chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee), Mr. Bernd M. Dietel (Co-Chairman & Investor of Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh Stadt Ltd.), Mr. Vu Quang Minh (Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs) & Mr. Truong Van Bang (General Director of Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh Stadt Ltd.)

Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City is celebrating its official topping out ceremony marking an important milestone on the way to completion in August 2017 in the presence of the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier  

·Shell construction completed ahead of schedule

·Building symbolizes the strategic partnership between Germany and Vietnam with a cosmopolitan, innovative and transparent identity and architecture

·Opening scheduled for 1st of August 2017

·The award-winning premium office building becomes the first LEED Platinum building in Vietnam

On 01^st of November 2016, Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City celebrated the official topping out ceremony.

The event took place at the construction site of Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City at 33 Le Duan Street in Ho Chi Minh City.  More than 400 guests from the German, Vietnamese and International business community in Vietnam, representatives from the Vietnamese and German governments and members of the Diplomatic Corps attended the event.

The ceremony was witnessed by the Federal Foreign Minister of Germany, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Vice-Minister of Construction of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Ms. Phan Thi My Linh, the Vice-Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City’s People Committee, Mr. Le Van Khoa, the Ambassador of Germany from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Vietnam, Mr. Christian Berger, and the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Andreas Siegel as well as the investors of Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Horst Geicke, Mr. Bernd Dietel and Mr. Horst Pudwill.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh Stadt Ltd. Mr. Horst Geicke thanked particularly the Vietnamese and German Governments, Ho Chi Minh City’s People’s Committee and reflected on the historic milestones leading to the project development and construction of Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City as a USD 110 million, in public-private partnership between the Federal Republic of Germany and the three private investors. He announced that the opening date of the premium office building will be on 1st August 2017.

Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany said that Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City was the best and most evident example of the reliable relations between Germany and Vietnam and evaluated the project as evidence that Germany wants to accompany the opening and modernization of Vietnam in the long term. He praised the government of Ho Chi Minh City for creating favorable conditions for the project. Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City would be a platform for business co-operation with Vietnam and the entire ASEAN region. He also emphasized that Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City is not only aimed at boosting the bilateral economic cooperation but also promoting the collaboration in culture, arts, sciences and technology. It would be the best location for German and European companies and organizations to install their headquarters and could facilitate trade, cultural and educational exchange.

Praising the idea for Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City, the Vice-Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Mr. Le Van Khoa stressed that the building was a symbol of friendship and strategic co-operation between the two nations, contributing to the cultural economical and investment exchanges. He also stated that it was a landmark and symbol of modern German architecture in Vietnam while being sustainable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly. According to Mr. Le Van Khoa the agreement from both governments to choose Ho Chi Minh City as location for Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City also represents the economic importance of the city.

During the event, symbolically the “last nail” has been driven into the ridge pole blessed by traditional hammer throws, followed by a traditional lift to the roof-top terrace of the topping out wreath, marking the completion of the shell construction of Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City.

The common practice of "topping out" a new building can be traced back more than 1000 years to the ancient Scandinavian religious rite of placing a tree atop of a new building to appease the tree-dwelling spirits displaced in its construction.

The construction of the Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City has been under way since November 2014. Currently, the shell of the building has been completed with finishing works on going. Completion of the building will be in August 2017.

Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City will be an award-winning, pioneering, premium International Grade A office tower strategically located on the corner of Le Duan Street and Le Van Huu Street in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. The 25-storey building consists of approximately 40,000 square meters GFA of prime office real estate including retail areas, a multifunctional exhibition, event, and conference area, the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ho Chi Minh City and restaurant areas with an outdoor terrace.

Its location in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City will therefore be the ultimate destination to be to do business with ASEAN and Vietnam for German and Central European headquartered companies and institutions. At the same time, Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City will be the ideal trading platform for Vietnamese companies doing business with Germany and the European Union.

About Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City:

Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City is a pioneering premium grade office tower strategically located on the corner of Le Duan Street and Le Van Huu Street in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

The 25-storey building consists of approximately 40,000 square meters GFA of prime office real estate and is expected to be completed in August 2017.

Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City has all state-of-the-art facilities and services one would expect from a centrally located premium grade office building.

The building will be home to the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, making it the destination for German companies and promoting German and Vietnamese relations.

Modern German technology coupled with a high degree of sustainability will provide innovative commercial office space of exceptional quality.

For questions and further information please contact:

Mr. Elmar Dutt
COO/ General Director
Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh Stadt Ltd.
33 Le Duan Blvd., District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Phone: +84 28 3821 9309
Fax: +84 28 3821 9312
E-Mail: elmar.dutt@deutscheshausvietnam.com
Website: www.deutscheshausvietnam.com

Source: Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City