Ho Chi Minh City (VNA) – The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) held a gathering on February 4 to celebrate the Australia Day, highlighting the enduring friendship between the people of Ho Chi Minh City and Australia.
Addressing the event, Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Tourism and Vice Chairman of the Vietnam–Australia Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City, said the celebration took place as Vietnam–Australia relations continue to develop positively.
He noted that the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has laid a firm foundation for long-term cooperation, bringing practical benefits to the people of both countries while contributing to peace and stability in the region.
Hoa said Ho Chi Minh City has established friendly and cooperative relations with five Australian states, creating favourable conditions for the two sides to enhance exchanges and promote more substantive and sustainable cooperation.
He expressed appreciation for Australia’s support and goodwill extended to Vietnam during difficult periods, as well as its efforts to promote cultural exchanges, strengthen mutual understanding, and foster closer bonds between the two peoples through meaningful activities.
According to Hoa, people-to-people exchange serves as a solid foundation nurturing long-lasting ties between the two nations. The Vietnamese community in Australia and the Australian community in Vietnam, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City, continue to play an important role in spreading positive values and deepening friendship.
He added that the association has identified people-to-people diplomacy as the cornerstone of its activities, with cultural, educational and tourism cooperation as key pillars, youth as the successor force, and sustainable development as an overarching value.
In the coming time, the association will focus on promoting deeper exchanges, supporting cooperation in education and training, boosting tourism collaboration and cultural interaction, and advancing joint efforts for environmental protection and sustainable development.
For her part, Sarah Hooper, Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, affirmed that Australia–Vietnam relations are currently stronger than ever.
She said the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is reflected in close cooperation across a wide range of fields, including trade and investment, education and skills, science and innovation, climate change and energy transition, defence and security, and especially people-to-people engagement.
The diplomat described Ho Chi Minh City, with its dynamism and forward-looking vision, as an important component in the connection between Australians and Vietnamese. She highlighted the city’s strong educational links, vibrant business community, keen interest in innovation, and abundant opportunities for collaboration.
The gathering also provided an occasion to acknowledge Vietnamese friends and partners who have contributed to the shared success of the two sides, she noted.
According to Hooper, in 2026, Australia and Vietnam share a comprehensive common agenda, including supporting growth, strengthening skills, building innovation partnerships, and contributing to a stable and prosperous region.
She emphasised that the bright future of bilateral relations depends not only on policy agendas but also on the goodwill and friendship nurtured by organisations such as HUFO. Australia values Vietnam’s friendship, treasures its partnership with Ho Chi Minh City, and looks forward to working with the city to deepen connections among agencies, communities and people of both countries, she added./.
