Vietnam, Australia rejoice over thriving strategic partnership

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh (R) and Chief Minister of the Northern Territory of Australia Michael Gunner (L).

At a reception for Michael Gunner in Hanoi on November 7, Deputy PM Minh laid stress on Vietnam and Australia’s Northern Territory's great potential for broader cooperation in marine and air transportation, and tourism. Up to the end of this year’s third quarter, bilateral trade hit US$5.72 billion, up 20% from last year’s same period.

Notably, both nations have spared no effort to boost relations between their localities, the leaders said, particularly ties between the Northern Territory and Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Khanh Hoa, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

Regarding Vietnam’s attention given to developing high-tech agriculture, human resources training, and science-technology, Minh said he hopes that leaders of the Northern Territory will grant more scholarships to Vietnamese students through the Northern Territory Government’s “Study in Australia’s Northern Territory” (StudyNT) programme.

He said with confidence that the Northern Territory would offer more favourable conditions for overseas Vietnamese living and working in the locality.

Michael Gunner, in turn, stated that the Northern Territory always places importance on enhancing ties with Vietnam and assured its readiness to step up cooperation in trade, investment, and education. The Northern Territory will consider collaboration in transport and tourism with Vietnam, he added.

The Northern Territory will create the best possible conditions for low-cost carrier Vietjet Air to open an air route to the city of Darwin next year, he said, adding that Vingroup and TH True Milk’s investments are welcome, especially in the areas of its strength such as husbandry, plantation, and tourism.

On the occasion, Deputy PM Minh and Michael Gunner witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Northern Territory’s Chamber of Commerce.

During his visit from November 6-9, Michael Gunner had working sessions with Minister of Education Phung Xuan Nha, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong, and Vietnamese businesses operating in trade, agriculture, education, and transport.