A commitment to enhance cooperation between Việt Nam and Australia’s Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has been established, following discussions between Vietnamese Ambassador Phạm Hùng Tâm and ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr. The talks centered on building stronger ties between Hà Nội, Ho Chi Minh City, and Canberra.
Ambassador Tâm expressed optimism about Barr’s forthcoming visit to Hà Nội and Ho Chi Minh City, anticipating it would pave the way for new collaborative avenues. He emphasized the significant potential for joint ventures in areas such as renewable energy, innovation, education, tourism, and the development of smart cities.
In a step towards solidifying these connections, the ambassador suggested creating a friendship and cooperation agreement between Hà Nội and the ACT. This agreement aims to foster long-term partnerships across various sectors, enhancing bilateral relations.
For Chief Minister Barr, this visit marks his first to Việt Nam, a nation he identified as a priority economic partner within the ACT’s international engagement strategy. He showed support for establishing a sister-city relationship with Hà Nội and highlighted the mutual benefits of collaborating on green initiatives, electric transportation, and renewable energy projects to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Barr also expressed his readiness to engage in public diplomacy activities during upcoming visits by senior Vietnamese leaders to Australia, further strengthening the ties between the two regions.