The event was attended by nearly 200 delegates from the government, parliament, departments and enterprises, scholars, and the Vietnamese community in Western Australia.
In her remarks, Consul General Nguyen Thanh Ha highlighted Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements in recent years, and affirmed that the country has been among the fastest-growing economies in ASEAN, and in the 10 fastest-growing economies globally in 2024.
The two countries' upgrade of their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in March marks a great leap in their cooperation in all areas, she stated, expressing her hope that with support from the West Australian administration, departments, businesses, scholars, and the Vietnamese people in the region, the bilateral relations will further thrive to meet the expectations of the two peoples.
Minister for Emergency Services, Innovation and the Digital Economy, Science and Medical Research Stephen Dawson held that with its achievements, Vietnam has been playing an increasingly important role in the international arena.
He stressed that the March elevation of the Vietnam-Australia ties is a vivid demonstration for the two nations’ resolve to promote their relations to a new high.
More Vietnamese people have chosen Western Australia as their second home, while Vietnamese has been the third most popular language in the state, he said.
He went on to say that economic, trade and investment have unceasingly developed through the Western Australian Government’s Asian Engagement Strategy, with two-way trade value of 2.8 billion AUD (1.9 billion USD) last year, adding the state attaches much importance to the twinning relations with Vietnam's Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.
He said he hopes that with the operation of the two direct air routes connecting Perth and Ho Chi Minh City, the bilateral relations will continue expanding, particularly in the areas of tourism, education-training, and trade.