Berlin renames tram stop ‘Dong Xuan’ to honor Vietnamese community
Berlin authorities have renamed a tram stop in the Lichtenberg District « Dong Xuan, » a symbolic gesture honoring the cultural and economic contributions of the city’s Vietnamese community.
The decision, confirmed by Berlin’s public transport operator BVG on its website, aligns with a long-standing request from local residents and community leaders.
The stop, formerly known as Herzbergstrasse/Industriegebiet (Herzberg Street/Industrial Area), has been renamed Herzbergstrasse/Dong Xuan. It serves as a key transit point for the M8, 18, and 21 tram lines and is situated directly in front of the main entrance to the Dong Xuan Center, a commercial center established in 2005 and named after Hanoi’s iconic Dong Xuan Market.
The center, established over two decades ago by entrepreneur Nguyen Van Hien, has grown into one of Germany’s most significant trading hubs and a vital cultural and culinary landmark for both the Vietnamese diaspora and Berliners alike.
The initiative to rename the stop was spearheaded by Martin Patzold, a Christian Democratic Union (CDU) politician in Lichtenberg. The process began in 2015 when the management of the trade center proposed the change to Patzold. Following a massive community effort that gathered over 3,000 signatures, the proposal was formally submitted to BVG, according to German newspaper Tagesspiegel.
The approval marks a significant departure from standard Berlin public transport regulations, which generally prohibit naming stations after commercial entities.
For months, BVG engaged in internal debates regarding the costs of updating maps and signage, as well as the potential for passenger confusion. However, the cultural weight of the « Dong Xuan » name ultimately outweighed these administrative concerns.
Dang The Sang, a member of the Association of Vietnamese in Germany, described the renaming as an unprecedented milestone.
« This is not only a special recognition of the Dong Xuan Trade Center by local authorities but also clear evidence of the integration and positive contributions of the Vietnamese community to Germany’s economic and social life, » he said.
By Duc Trung – VnExpress.net – January 15, 2026