Australian Governor-General’s Vietnam visit: new impulse for bilateral ties
The State visit to Vietnam by Governor-General of Australia David Hurley from April 3-6 is expected to create new momentum for the bilateral ties, according to a scholar from the University of Queensland in Australia.
NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (L) meets Governor-General of Australia David Hurley in Australia last year. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The State visit to Vietnam byGovernor-General of Australia David Hurley from April 3-6 is expected to createnew momentum for the bilateral ties, according to a scholar from the Universityof Queensland in Australia.
Nguyen Hong Hai, a researcher at the Centre forPolicy Futures under the University of Queensland, said the visit, in the context of the50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties (February 26,1973) and the 5th anniversary of the bilateral strategic partnership(March 15, 2018) in 2023, demonstrates theimportance Australia attaches to the milestones, as well as and the consensus inenhancing high-level meetings and contacts, thus consolidating the mutualpolitical trust.
During his visit, Hurley is scheduled to meet with top leaders of Vietnam, hold talks with President Vo Van Thuong, and meetings with Party GeneralSecretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and NA ChairmanVuong Dinh Hue, the researcher said, adding that NA Chairman Hue also met the Governor-General in his visit to Australia four months ago, during which the leadersexpressed their support for upgrading the bilateral relationship to a comprehensivestrategic partnership.
Hurley’s trip is also hoped to contribute toenhancing people-to-people exchange and send a message to the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN) and the region at large that Australia pays greatattention to its relations with Vietnam and ASEAN.
The message is quite clear – Vietnam holds a specialposition in Australia’s relations with the region – Hai said, citing former AustralianPrime Minister Scott Morrison as saying during his visit to Vietnam in 2019that Vietnam was a close friend.
The researcher noted his belief that the visit willcontribute to strengthening the bilateral relations and opening up strong cooperationprospects between the two countries, while creating more foundations and momentumfor them to soon achieve the goal of advancing the relationship to acomprehensive strategic partnership this year.
Moreover, the visit would give a boost tocollaboration in other spheres like national defence and security, along withinnovation, climate change response, energy transition, green energy and greeneconomy, he said./.
Vietnam and Australia have great potential to expand cooperation in a range of sectors, especially agriculture and education, said Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski.
Solutions to promote trade cooperation between Vietnam and Australia and the implementation of the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES) were tabled at an online meeting on March 30 in Hanoi.
A friendship exchange programme was held in Hanoi on March 31 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic relations (February 26).
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
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.
NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (L) meets Governor-General of Australia David Hurley in Australia last year. (Photo: VNA) 
