Australian ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski wrote to Việt Nam News on Australia Day

On Australia Day, January 26, the people of Australia gather to reflect, respect and celebrate Australia’s story which began more than 60,000 years ago. New chapters are written every day.

If I were in Australia, I would begin this address by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land so I would like to do that for the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people, the traditional custodians of the land around our nation’s capital, Canberra, which I call home.

On this Australia Day, I am particularly honoured to be in Việt Nam to reflect on the achievements of our 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2023 and look to the future of the Australia-Việt Nam partnership.

It was important to us that we mark the milestone of our 50th anniversary with visits and activities befitting our strong friendship. It’s fair to say that 2023 was the busiest year ever for the Australian Embassy in Hà Nội and Consulate-General in HCM City.

Australia’s head of state, the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defence and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Assistant Minister for Trade and Manufacturing and several Australian state premiers all visited Việt Nam in 2023 which I hope conveyed a clear sense of Australia’s commitment to the relationship.

Taste of Australia’s big BBQ at Thăng Long Citadel in August 2023. — Photos Courtesy of the embassy

In 2023, Australia was proud to receive high-level visits of two Politburo members. These visits were remarkable as they demonstrated the breadth of our engagement from economic sectors to political knowledge understanding and sharing.

A highlight of the year was our enhanced Taste of Australia events which were bigger and better than ever! We held the Taste of Australia Big BBQ at Hà Nội’s historical Citadel in August along with more than 1400 guests and a similar event was held in HCM City at the iconic Independence Palace. The activities featured Australian food, Australian First Nations artists, cultural experiences and Australian celebrities.

Our commitment to working together to enhance strategic, defence and security cooperation and was evidenced by a visit from the HMAS Toowoomba to the Saigon River. Our screening of the hit Australian TV show Bluey was also a big hit.

We continued to demonstrate our commitment to issues of sustainability, climate adaptation, agricultural research, trade and investment and of course, education and we are strengthening cooperation with the Party, Government and National Assembly, as well as with business, the education sector and non-government organisations.

But I don’t want to take up all this time only talking about the past. I’m excited about what the future holds. We are looking forward to the next stage of the Australia-Việt Nam relationship and what part Australia will play as a key partner in the next phase of Việt Nam’s development.

We are proud to have inaugurated the Vietnam Australia Centre (VAC) in June 2023 at the Hồ Chí Minh National Academy of Politics. The VAC will draw on Australian expertise to support the capacity development of Việt Nam’s future leaders and enable Việt Nam and Australia to undertake joint research activities to pursue solutions to shared national and regional challenges. Importantly, it will deepen people-to-people links – the bedrock of any relationship.

Also essential is our ongoing support for Việt Nam through the Mekong-Australia Partnership. In 2023, we announced additional funding to the tune of around US$95 million for projects to tackle climate adaptation in the region. Last month, I was delighted to attend the first International Festival of Việt Nam Rice in Hậu Giang province.

Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (first left) and Việt Nam Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính (first right) at the exchange of cooperation instruments between Việt Nam and Australia during PM Albanese’s visit to Việt Nam from June 3-4, 2023.

2024 is shaping up to be another significant year for the Australia-Việt Nam relationship. In March, Australia will host the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne and we look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính to this significant event. We have also announced our joint intention to elevate the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which we hope to conclude in the first half of the year.

The friendship between Australia and Việt Nam is built on a common view – of the need for peace, security, stability and prosperity in our region. It is only by working collaboratively, leveraging each other’s strengths, and furthering mutual trust that we will achieve our ambition. I have no doubt that the Australia-Việt Nam relationship will continue to flourish.

On Australia Day, we reflect on our history. We respect the stories of others. And we celebrate our nation. Happy Australia Day, an early Chúc Mừng Năm Mới, and best wishes for the year ahead. VNS