On 3-4 June 2023, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made his first official visit to Vietnam.
I’m proud to visit Vietnam and Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính during the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries. pic.twitter.com/kuy8JvHUVK
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) June 4, 2023
Over the last 50 years, our countries’ partnership has expanded significantly, with work now underway to elevate the Australia-Vietnam relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
During the visit, Prime Minister Albanese met with his counterpart, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other senior leaders.
Bilateral talks focussed on ways to grow trade and investment, building on the impressive expansion of two-way trade which rose by almost 40 per cent last financial year. To reflect the importance of this trading relationship, the Prime Ministers announced the inaugural Australia-Vietnam Trade Ministers’ Dialogue.
The leaders discussed expanding bilateral cooperation on climate, energy and the environment, which will help build a partnership that contributes to global emissions reductions.
Looking to the future, the leaders also welcomed the addition of new direct flights between Vietnam and Australia, which will boost tourism and trade ties.
Building on our countries’ education links, Prime Minister Albanese launched RMIT’s new Industry and Innovation Hub in Hanoi. The Prime Minister also witnessed a new agreement for Western Sydney University to offer 60 Whitlam Scholarships over two years for Vietnamese and Southeast Asian students to study business, communications and data science in Vietnam and Australia.
We’re bringing the best of Australian education to Vietnam with a new @RMIT Industry and Innovation Hub at its campus here in Hanoi. pic.twitter.com/SzWbLjNqTD
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) June 3, 2023
The Prime Minister oversaw additional announcements on increased cooperation on digital economy, science commercialisation and innovation policy development, as well as the exchanging of financial intelligence to support cooperation on money laundering and terrorism financing.
As we look to the future and the challenges ahead, we are both committed to building a stable, prosperous and resilient region. pic.twitter.com/Ql8ZYAx2kg
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) June 4, 2023
Bilateral talks emphasised the importance of a stable, prosperous and resilient region, and the crucial role of ASEAN as Southeast Asia’s key forum for cooperation.