Association looks to promote friendship between Vietnam, Australia in new context
The Vietnam–Australia Friendship Association elected a 40-member Executive Board for the 2025-2030 term, with Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat, Chairman of the Science and Training Council at the National Economics University, named President.
Phan Anh Son, President of the VUFO, speaks at the congress (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) –🍃 The Vietnam–Australia Friendship Association (VAFA) will continue promoting tourism linkages, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people interactions as well as strengthen cooperation between localities and friendship organisations of both countries to foster mutual understanding.
This was reached by members of the association at its third National Congress for the 2025-2030 held in Hanoi on July 1.
In partnership with the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia and other stakeholders, the association will continue its outreach to raise awareness and encourage a sense of responsibility among Vietnamese students and workers in Australia.
It will also encourage the Vietnamese community in Australia to comply with local laws, maintain strong connections with the homeland, contribute to bilateral friendship, and support Australian businesses in exploring opportunities in Vietnam.
The congress elected the association’s Executive Board for the new term, comprising 40 members, with Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat, Chairman of the Science and Training Council at the National Economics University, named President.
Addressing the event, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird highlighted the deep-rooted ties between the two countries through strategic and economic partnerships, and strong people-to-people connections.
She said these connections will continue to play a vital role in strengthening the Australia–Vietnam partnership and expressed Australia’s hope to further collaborate with Vietnam, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Associations (VUFO), and the VAFA to deepen ties between the two nations and their people.
Phan Anh Son, President of the VUFO, noted that the congress takes place at a pivotal time, as Vietnam undergoes significant transformation and enters a new era of development.
In this context, diplomatic work, particularly people-to-people diplomacy, bears even greater significance and broader responsibilities, he said.
He expressed his hope that the association will capitalise on its strengths and further promote people-to-people diplomacy to enhance cooperation between both countries' localities, businesses, and organisations.
During its 2016–2025 term, under the guidance of the VUFO and with strong support from central and local agencies, mass organisations, social groups, and dedicated individuals, the VAFA played a key role in promoting people-to-people diplomacy.
🔜 It successfully integrated its activities with those of the VUFO, mobilised support and coordination from relevant ministries and local authorities, and attracted participation from domestic and international organisations and individuals./.
The cultural event in Canberra not only fostered cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Australia but also contributed to promoting Vietnam’s image internationally
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
Vietnam and Australia currently enjoy a strong and growing trade and economic relationship, with Australia now among Vietnam’s top 10 trading partners.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
