Vietnam, Western Australia strengthen cooperative ties
Premier Roger Cook praised Vietnam’s dynamic growth and expressed Western Australia’s wish for closer cooperation.
Vietnamese Consul General Nguyen Thanh Ha (front, right) and Western Australian Premier Roger Cook (front, left) and other participants in the ceremony (Photo: VNA)
Sydney (VNA) – A ceremony celebrating the 80th National Day of Vietnam was held recently by the Vietnamese Consulate General in Perth, where the growing partnership between the Southeast Asian country and Western Australia was also highlighted.
The event at Duxton Hotel gathered nearly 250 guests, including Western Australian Premier Roger Cook, leader of the Opposition Basil Zempilas, Nobel Laureate Professor Barry Marshall, representatives of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, foreign consuls, members of the local government, businesses and academia, and the Vietnamese community.
In her remarks, Consul General Nguyen Thanh Ha underlined the historic significance of the National Day (September 2) and reviewed Vietnam’s major achievements over the past eight decades, particularly in economic development, green transition, and digitalisation.
She stressed that relations between Vietnam and Australia have expanded strongly since their upgrade to a comprehensive strategic partnership in March 2024, opening up new cooperation prospects, with Western Australia being a potential partner in such areas as renewable energy, high-tech agriculture, education, and skills training.
Premier Roger Cook praised Vietnam’s dynamic growth and expressed Western Australia’s wish for closer cooperation. He noted that bilateral trade surpassed 2 billion AUD (1.3 billion USD) in the 2022–2023 fiscal year.
He highlighted Western Australia’s Trade and Investment Office in Ho Chi Minh City, established in 2023, and joint efforts with the Consulate General to launch direct flights operated by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air, which are important steps to boost bilateral trade, tourism, and investment.
The Premier added that his state is working to bring more premium agricultural products and food to the Vietnamese market.
The programme included cultural performances by the Vietnamese Women’s Association in Western Australia and singer Thai Ha, which showcased Vietnam’s cultural identity. A prize draw sponsored by Vietnam Airlines, Sol Spa, and Visa Express added a festive touch and strengthened community engagement.
🐈 The ceremony concluded in a warm atmosphere, leaving strong impression on international guests. It not only celebrated Vietnam’s National Day but also contributed to the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Australia, particularly Western Australia, helping elevate bilateral ties to a more comprehensive and effective stage./.
Governor-General of Australia Sam Mostyn attended the third annual Vietnam–Australia Forum on September 11 in Hanoi, as part of her state visit to Vietnam.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of treasuring its friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Australia, stressing that Australia is a trusted partner of Vietnam.
Thang noted that the HCMA and leading Australian universities and research institutes have developed effective cooperation mechanisms, with the Vietnam – Australia Centre at the academy serving as a bridge for joint research, scholar exchanges, and official and manager training programmes.
Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu underscored that preparations for the first congress of the Party Committee of Central Party Agencies for the 2025–2030 tenure must be thorough and meticulous.
At AIPA-46, Vietnam will actively engage and put forward proposals and initiatives to further strengthen regional cooperation, and the role and contribution of parliamentary diplomacy, said Deputy Foreign Minister Le Anh Tuan.
The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on September 13 issued Resolution No. 1825/NQ-UBTVQH15 approving the proposal of the Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy to initiate legal proceedings against and detain Tran Van Thuc, a deputy of the 15th NA.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s upcoming trip is not only a milestone in consolidating the Vietnam – Malaysia relations but also an affirmation of Vietnam’s proactive and constructive role in promoting cooperation, stability, and sustainable development within ASEAN.
General Secretary Lam recognised the general department for its contributions to industrialisation and modernisation, underlined that it has played a crucial role in strengthening the nation’s defence capabilities.
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.
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.
