Sydney (VNA) – A Hanoi delegation led by Deputy Secretary of the city Party Committee and Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Ngoc Tuan has visited Australia from March 31 to April 3 to promote cooperation in various fields.
Visiting Sydney on March 31, the delegation met with Rodney John Roberts, Deputy President of the New South Wales Legislative Council.
During the meeting, Tuan provided an overview of Hanoi and its People's Council, and reviewed the relationship between Hanoi and Australian localities over recent years. He emphasised the directions for cooperation and friendship in the future, after Vietnam and Australian upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024.
Roberts affirmed his commitment to continue fostering the friendship between New South Wales, including Sydney, and Hanoi.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged information about their administrative structures and governance models, and shared experiences in developing economic policies, urban management, environmental issues, transportation, culture, social affairs, and the oversight activities of elected bodies.
Later the same day, the delegation attended a Hanoi-Australia 2025 conference on investment, trade, and tourism promotion.
Speaking at the event that brought together representatives from Vietnamese and Australian agencies, business associations, and 120 Australian firms,
Tuan emphasised the growing relationship between Vietnam and Australia, which has yielded tangible results, particularly after the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Alongside political and diplomatic relations, economic, trade, and investment cooperation has also been elevated. The signed free trade agreements serve as a foundation for creating a favourable investment, trade, and tourism environment for the two countries.
Tuan noted that Hanoi is focusing on streamlining its organisational structure for efficiency and effectiveness, as well as improving institutional frameworks and administrative reforms to better the investment environment.
He affirmed that Hanoi is a safe, attractive, and potential destination with favourable investment environment for foreign businesses and investors, including those from Australia. Local authorities are committed to supporting and creating the best possible conditions for investors.
Vietnamese Consul General in Australia Nguyen Thanh Tung said that Hanoi, as the national political-administrative centre and a dynamic city with nearly 10 million residents, is undergoing a strong transformation towards green development, innovation, and extensive international integration. He affirmed the city's attractiveness in terms of culture, tourism, and investment environment.
He also pointed out that there is still much room for Hanoi and New South Wales to boost cooperation in investment, trade, and tourism.
Vietnamese Trade Counselor Nguyen Phu Hoa noted that Vietnam-Australia trade posted a growth rate of nearly 50% in certain period. To create new momentum for trade and investment growth, particularly in attracting investment from Australia, Hoa said measures are needed to attract investment from Australia into Vietnam.
He added that in the context of international trade tensions, building supply chains has helped both economies develop sustainably and complement each other.
With its quality human resources, Hanoi can collaborate with Australia in various fields, serving as a connection hub in Vietnam. Through linkages, Hanoi businesses can invest in Australia, establishing consumer goods manufacturing zones in the country. Hoa noted the need to enhance investment cooperation in the retail sector between the two countries in general and between Hanoi and Sydney in particular.
During the conference, the delegation witnessed the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding for cooperation between businesses from Hanoi and Australia.
Grame Barty, Senior Advisor on International Investment and Trade for the New South Wales Business Association, said that there are substantial opportunities for cooperation between Australia and Vietnam. As two major cities, Hanoi and Sydney's connection is crucial and acts as a "locomotive" for economic growth.
According to Barty, his association has encouraged its members to seize opportunities in the Vietnamese market while welcoming Vietnamese businesses to cooperate and operate business in New South Wales.
On April 1, the delegation visited Canberra where he and local authorities agreed to promote exchanges at all levels and enhance cooperation in investment, trade, tourism, education and training, and culture. They also considered signing an official cooperation agreement between Hanoi and Canberra.
Visiting Melbourne on April 2, the delegation visited the Parliament of Victoria, attended a session of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, and met with its Speaker Maree Edwards.
They exchanged and shared experiences in operational activities, particularly in policy development and supervisions by elected bodies.
Tuan suggested the the Parliament of Victoria act as a bridge to promote friendship and cooperation between Australian localities and Hanoi in various fields, while continuing to support the Vietnamese community in Melbourne and other regions of Victoria. On this occasion, Tuan invited Edwards to visit Hanoi./.
VNA
