A New Chapter Begins: Meet the First Vietnamese to Receive Germany’s Chancenkarte Visa

Thuy Tran has always wished to find work in Germany. So when she first heard about the Chancenkarte,she knew it was the moment she had been waiting for. 

She submitted her documents at the German Embassy in Hanoi, bearing high hopes that she would make it to Germany via the Chancenkarte visa.

Four months later, she received a call that left her stunned. Her visa was ready.

“I was overjoyed. It was a dream come true,” says Thuy, a practicing psychotherapist and hypnotherapist. “I wanted to come to Germany to showcase my skills, improve my life, and support my family back home.”

At the time, Thuy was working full time as a psychotherapist at Hai Phong International Hospital. She was passionate about her work, but she longed for something more — a new professional challenge, a new cultural experience, and a new life. 

What she didn’t know then was that her leap of faith would also land her in the history books.

She wasn’t just granted a visa — she became the first Vietnamese citizen to receive the Chancenkarte.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Thuy recalls. “When they told me I was the first, it felt surreal. It was such a proud and humbling moment.”

For Thuy, psychology has always been more than just a profession — it’s a calling. After years of study and dedication in Vietnam, she had built a meaningful career helping people heal. But her curiosity and ambition pushed her to take on a bigger stage.

Germany, with its reputation for high-quality healthcare, inclusive society, and structured support systems, felt like the right place. But even before boarding her flight, Thuy knew she had work to do. She immersed herself in learning the language and navigating the legal steps to practice professionally in Germany.

Her qualifications were formally recognized by the ZAB (Central Office for Foreign Education), a crucial step toward securing the Chancenkarte. But she didn’t stop there. Once in Germany, she enrolled in further studies to align her certifications with local standards, showing the same commitment and perseverance that had defined her journey from the beginning.

Of all the hurdles, mastering the German language was the hardest.

“Learning a new language is never easy,” she admits. “But with a clear goal, strong motivation, and a structured plan, it becomes possible.” For Thuy, it wasn’t just about passing an exam. As a therapist, she needed to use the language with empathy, nuance, and precision.

Working within Germany’s healthcare system came with its learning curve. The procedures were far more complex than what she was used to in Vietnam, but also more transparent and empowering. “You receive a lot of support here,” she says. “It’s challenging, but it pushes you to grow.”

Finding a job, however, was one of the most trying parts. Between language requirements, credentialing, and finding the right fit, the process demanded patience and grit.

But Thuy tapped into every resource available: internships, university programs, state-supported training, and networking events. Slowly but surely, the doors began to open.

Looking back, she describes the journey as one of resilience and purpose.

“Finding a job was the hardest part,” she says. “And using the language in a professional context is still something I’m working on every day. But I’ve come so far — and I’m still learning.”

To others dreaming of the same path, Thuy offers simple but powerful advice:
“Germany is opening its doors to many professions — not just psychology. If you’re prepared, if you have a clear plan, and you’re willing to adapt and connect with others, you can succeed.”

Today, Thuy is more than a therapist in a new country — she is a symbol of courage, ambition, and the quiet power of those who dare to dream across borders.