Australian Governor-General begins state visit to Vietnam
Governor-General of Australia Sam Mostyn and her spouse arrived in Hanoi on the evening of September 9, beginning their four-day state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of State President Luong Cuong and his wife.
Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung welcomes the Australian delegation at Noi Bai International Airport on September 9. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Governor-General of Australia Sam Mostyn and her spouse arrived in Hanoi on the evening of September 9, beginning their four-day state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of State President Luong Cuong and his wife.
The Australian Governor-General and his spouse were welcomed at Noi Bai Interanational Airport by Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong and Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Hung Tam.
Ambassador Tam described the visit as an important milestone, affirming the determination of both countries to strengthen friendship and cooperation across all areas, particularly political ties, after more than a year and a half since the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Australia.
Governor-General of Australia Sam Mostyn and her spouse arrive in Hanoi on the evening of September 9. (Photo: VNA)
For Australia, he noted, the visit reflects a consistent policy of attaching importance and giving high priority to ties with Southeast Asia, including Vietnam.
For Vietnam, hosting the Governor-General demonstrates the country’s foreign policy of fostering relations with South Pacific nations, especially Australia – the first Western country to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam and today a highly effective and positive partner, he said.
🌊 The visit will help consolidate strategic trust between Vietnam and Australia, contribute to peace, stability and development in the region, and further deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, the diplomat affirmed./.
The trip comes as bilateral relations thrive, particularly since the elevation of their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024.
The hosts affirmed that Vietnam - Australia relations are at their strongest stage since the upgrade to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marked by high political and strategic trust.
Tung noted that Vietnamese agricultural products are gaining stronger footholds in the Australian market, contributing to a more balanced trade relationship. The Consulate General plays an active role in supporting businesses, removing technical barriers, promoting brands, fostering research collaboration, and building sustainable supply chains.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, who is President of the National Election Council (NEC), chaired the council’s second meeting in Hanoi on September 15.
President Cuong described the academy as a shining example in scientific research, strategic advice provision, theory development, and enhancing the leadership, direction, and management capacity of the Party and State in national defence and security, helping to build the military, strengthen national defence, protect the Fatherland early and from afar, maintain political and social stability, and lay a solid foundation for the national construction and defence cause.
Amidst global competition and shifting international order, cultural diplomacy is increasingly seen as a strategic instrument for nations to affirm their positions and bring into play soft power. The Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporter spoke with Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Nguyen Minh Vu about the mission of cultural diplomacy in the new era.
To meet demands for accurate, comprehensive, objective, rich, and dynamic information on the 14th National Party Congress, the Vietnam News Agency will continue equipping the website with new features and regularly update news and data, supporting the effective popularisation of this key political event.
Cuban Ambassador to Venezuela Dagoberto Rodríguez noted that in world history, few relationships are as exceptional as that of Vietnam and Cuba. From José Martí and President Ho Chi Minh to Fidel Castro, generations of revolutionary leaders have sown and cultivated the seeds of friendship that is now an invaluable spiritual asset for both nations.
Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly Aleksandrovich Sivak pledged that Belarus will make every effort to implement the agreements reached by the two countries’ high-ranking leaders, for the benefit and prosperity of both peoples.
The legal system must provide effective tools for efficient governance and power control, prevent policy abuse for corruption and wastefulness while serving as a foundation for fast and sustainable development, the PM said.
The festival drew large crowds, featuring cultural and artistic performances, sports activities, traditional games, and visits to exhibition booths showcasing Vietnamese and US culture and cuisine, achievements in Vietnam–US diplomatic relations, and highlights of Can Tho.
The Danish side praised Vietnam’s socio-economic strides, extensive global integration, and the growing comprehensive partnership and green strategic partnership between the two countries.
Party General Secretary To Lam especially commended the merits and contributions by generations of leaders, staff, reporters, technicians, and workers of the Vietnam News Agency throughout different periods, who have contributed to the revolutionary cause of the Party and nation while helping to shape the annals of Vietnam’s revolutionary press.
The two sides laid stress on the importance of further advancing ties through continued high-level exchanges and agreed to maintain regular sessions of the Joint Working Group.
The 25-minute documentary portrays the VNA as the country’s “news bank,” capturing every historic moment through news reports and photographs, and honouring nearly 260 staff, reporters, and technicians who fell protecting the uninterrupted flow of information.
Party General Secretary To Lam expressed confidence in the VNA's ability to grow strongly, steer mainstream information, shape public opinion, and solidify its role as Vietnam’s national news agency and a trusted strategic information provider of the Party and State.
NA Chairman Man said that building on the achievements of the previous tenure in developing an electronic parliament, the legislature has upgraded and launched the “National Assembly 2.0” application with breakthrough advancements under the maximum support from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Viettel Group, a team of Singaporean experts.
The conference reviewed reports, discussed and adopted documents and materials, and finalised preparations for the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025 – 2030 tenure, following the Politburo’s directions given at its meeting on September 11.
Thang emphasised that the 80th anniversary is not only a time for reflection but also a pledge for the future, with Vietnam aiming to become a developed and prosperous nation by 2045.
The Party chief stressed that improving digital literacy for officials, civil servants and the public must be considered a core task, closely linked with administrative reform and socio-economic development.
Hessen has maintained a strategic partnership with Vietnam since 2012, with cooperation spanning science, education and economic development. Vietnam is currently one of Hessen’s most important trading partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Lao diplomat stressed that since the victory of the August Revolution in 1945, Vietnam has become an independent nation, overcome countless challenges, firmly safeguarded its sovereignty, and steadily advanced into a new era, with its economy now ranking 35th in the world.
