Speaking at a recent function marking Vietnam’s 79th National Day in Western Australia, Stephen Dawson, Minister for Emergency Services, Innovation and Digital Economy, Science, and Medical Research, expressed his delight at the positive development of Vietnam-Australia relations and noted that the upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024 shows both countries’ resolve to elevate their relationship to a new level.

In such a context, he said, relations between Vietnam and Western Australia have also expanded, particularly in terms of people-to-people exchanges. An increasing number of Vietnamese have chosen Western Australia as their second home, and Vietnamese has become the third most common language in the region.

Economic, trade, and investment cooperation has continuously been strengthened through Western Australia’s Asian Engagement Strategy. Last year saw bilateral trade reach AUD2.8 billion (US$1.9 billion). Western Australia and Ba Ria – Vung Tau of Vietnam renewed their Memorandum of Understanding and Action Program for the twin relationship between the two sides in June 2024.

Dawson expressed his belief that with the establishment of two direct flights connecting Perth, the capital of Western Australia, and Ho Chi Minh City, bilateral cooperation will continue to expand and improve, particularly in the areas of tourism, education, and trade exchanges.

Consul General of Vietnam in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, Nguyen Thanh Ha shared Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements in recent years, noting that Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing economies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and in the world.

By engaging in 16 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) covering 60 countries, Vietnam has become one of the most open economies in the world and an attractive destination for foreign investors. To date, Vietnam and Australia have become one of each other’s top 10 trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching AUD10 billion (US$6.7 billion) in the first half of this year.

Education remains a key pillar in bilateral cooperation. Currently, more than 33,500 Vietnamese students are studying in Australia, and approximately 200 joint teaching programs are being conducted by educational institutions of both countries.

Vietnam is an ideal destination for Australian visitors, and ranks 12th among the countries with the most visitors to Australia.

Ha expressed his hope that, with the substantial support of the Western Australian government, ministries, businesses, people, as well as the Vietnamese community, the relationship between Vietnam and Australia would continue to develop and meet the expectations of the two countries’ people.

VOV