Việt Nam is set to enhance its collaboration with Australia’s Australian Capital Territory (ACT), focusing on Hà Nội, Ho Chi Minh City, and Canberra, following discussions between Vietnamese Ambassador Phạm Hùng Tâm and ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr. The talks culminated in an agreement to deepen ties, with Ambassador Tâm expressing optimism about Barr’s forthcoming visit to Việt Nam’s major cities. This visit is anticipated to pave the way for new cooperative ventures.
Ambassador Tâm underscored the potential for partnerships in several key areas, including renewable energy, innovation, education, tourism, and the development of smart urban infrastructure. He suggested the establishment of a friendship and cooperation agreement between Hà Nội and the ACT to promote sustained collaboration across these sectors.
This visit will mark Chief Minister Barr’s first trip to Việt Nam, a country that he identified as a priority economic partner within the ACT’s international engagement strategy. Barr expressed interest in forming a sister-city relationship with Hà Nội, which he believes could foster joint efforts in transitioning to greener practices, including electric transportation and renewable energy projects aimed at reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
In addition to these initiatives, Barr indicated his readiness to engage in public diplomacy during future visits by senior Vietnamese officials to Australia. This commitment to diplomatic exchanges and collaboration underscores the growing importance of the bilateral relationship between Việt Nam and the ACT.