Hanoi (VNA) ꧂– The second annual Vietnam-Australia Forum, themed “Enhancing Economic Engagement, a Shared Vision for Prosperity”, took place in Hanoi on August 26.
Co-hosted by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, the event was an initiative of the Vietnam-Australia Centre that was established at the behest of both nations’ Prime Ministers.
In his opening speech, Politburo member, HCMA Director and Chairman of the Central Theory Council Nguyen Xuan Thang hailed the event's significance as it was held after the two countries elevated their bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which is a milestone marking five decades of concerted efforts, aligned with the shared needs, interests and aspirations.
According to him, Vietnam and Australia are writing a new, impressive, profound and exemplary "story" of friendship woven from sincerity, trust, goodwill, mutual understanding and respect, as well as a shared vision and belief in a stable, peaceful and prosperous East Asia - Pacific - Indian Ocean region.
Australian Senate President Sue Lines, for her part, likened the My Thuan bridge built with Australian ODA in the Mekong Delta to a vivid symbol of bilateral friendship. She said over the past half a century, the two countries have built numerous friendship bridges and the newly established comprehensive strategic partnership will enable them to continue building more sustainable bridges of friendship.
Lines highlighted the vibrant community of 300,000 Vietnamese Australians and over 33,000 Vietnamese students in Australia as one of the bridges connecting the two nations.
She commended the collaboration with the HCMA through the Vietnam-Australia Centre, deeming it a remarkable emblem of the close relationship.
Australia is very proud that, through the Vietnam-Australia Centre, both countries are supporting each other in tackling contemporary challenges, from climate change response, adaptation to the rapidly evolving global economy, to digital transformation and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, she said.
Throughout the day, delegates delved into discussions on the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, strong and inclusive governance, economic relations, and Vietnam's four decades of renewal. The forum's outcomes and recommendations will be presented to both governments, contributing to policy-making and addressing common regional challenges./.
Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet and Australian Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Michelle Chan co-chaired the 9th Vietnam-Australia diplomacy-defence dialogue in Hanoi on August 26.
The strong parliamentary links have played an important role in deepening the friendship and ties between Vietnam and Australia, President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines has said.
Established in 1973 and elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2018, the relationship between Vietnam and Australia has experienced significant and comprehensive growth across all areas. During Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Australia from March 7-9, the two nations further upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
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.
