The Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam and the Australian Government seek to boost co-operation on science, technology and creative innovation, with the official launch of the Australia – Việt Nam Innovative Project, under the name Aus4Innovation, on Thursday.

Vietnamese-Australian pianist and composer Nguyễn Vân Anh will perform in a concert at the HCM City Opera House on Sunday to celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and Australia.

The 12th Việt Nam – Australia defence cooperation consultation, which will cover a wide range of issues, is expected to boost ties between the two defence ministries, said Deputy Defence Minister Nguyễn Chí Vịnh.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh and Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop co-chaired the first Việt Nam-Australia Foreign Ministers Meeting during which, both sides expressed their elation at the strong development of Việt Nam-Australia bilateral relations.

The Australian Government has invested some AUD$100 million (US$77.4 million) in 170 research projects in Việt Nam in the past 25 years.

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc praised efforts by the Australia – Việt Nam Friendship Society (AVFS) to promote friendship and mutual understanding between the people of Việt Nam and Australia while talking to AVFS President Kim Sampson on Thursday. 

Fifteen leading Australian universities and executive training providers next month will participate in the Việt Nam – Australia Executive Education and Training Showcase to be held in Việt Nam for the first time.

Australia and Việt Nam have started a reciprocal work and holiday visa programme from March 1.

Australia and Việt Nam have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that provides a formal framework for the return of Vietnamese nationals with no legal right to be in Australia.

The Australian government will continue supporting Việt Nam in growing and exporting Vietnamese agricultural products to Australia, the Australian ambassador has said.