State President Lương Cường and Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn alongside their spouses at the official welcome ceremony in Hà Nội on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photos Lâm Khánh

HÀ NỘI — State President Lương Cường and his wife hosted a welcome ceremony in Hà Nội on Wednesday for Governor-General of Australia Sam Mostyn and her spouse, who are on a state visit to Việt Nam from September 9 to 12.

Crowds of Hà Nội children waved the national flags of both countries to welcome Governor-General Sam Mostyn, her spouse, and the high-ranking delegation of Australia.

Amid ceremonial music, the two leaders walked to an honour platform as the national anthems of Việt Nam and Australia were played by the Vietnamese military band. They later reviewed the guards of honour of the Việt Nam People’s Army.

State President Lương Cường and Australian Governor General Sam Mostyn review the guards of honour.

Following the welcome ceremony, the two sides held talks to review recent cooperation outcomes and set directions for future collaboration.

Việt Nam and Australia officially established diplomatic relations on February 26, 1973. Since then, they have built a strong and enduring relationship with diverse and expanding interests. Việt Nam is now regarded as one of Australia’s most important bilateral partners.

The two countries have seen their cooperation grow stronger in recent years, especially since the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership in March 2024. They have pledged to further advancing their relationship across all fields, grounded in respect for international law, sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and political systems of each other.

In October 2024, the two countries signed an action plan to implement their comprehensive strategic partnership for 2024–2027, with 96 per cent of its 180 action lines already completed or on track.

The ceremony is followed by official talks between the Vietnamese and Australian leaders.

The two countries currently enjoy thriving trade and economic ties. Australia is Việt Nam’s seventh largest trading partner while Việt Nam ranks as Australia’s tenth. Bilateral trade reached US$14.1 billion in 2024, and $7.9 billion in the first seven months of 2025.

Cooperation in security, defence, education-training, labour, and agriculture has also achieved fruitful outcomes and holds great potential for stronger development.

The Vietnamese community in Australia numbers around 375,000, making it the fifth-largest ethnic group of foreign origin in the country, and serving as an important bridge in strengthening the friendship between the two nations.

Looking ahead, Việt Nam and Australia still boast substantial untapped potential for cooperation, particularly in areas matching Việt Nam's priorities and Australia's strengths such as high technology, innovation, clean energy, mining, infrastructure, telecommunications, services, tourism, and hi-tech agriculture.

Building on the strong foundation of bilateral ties, the state visit to Việt Nam by the Australian Governor-General holds great significance, reaffirming both countries’ determination to strengthen friendship and all-around cooperation, especially political cooperation. — VNA/VNS

State President Lương Cường and his spouse welcomed Governor-General of Australia Sam Mostyn and her spouse.