NewsAdvancing the realization of Vietnam - Australia comprehensive strategic partnership potential in Ho Chi Minh City
Advancing the realization of Vietnam - Australia comprehensive strategic partnership potential in Ho Chi Minh City
On the morning of May 19, a courtesy meeting between Ho Chi Minh City leaders and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Australia to Vietnam took place in Ho Chi Minh City, alongside the “Meet Australia 2026” program.
Mr. Nguyen Loc Ha, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, met with Ms. Gillian Bird, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Australia to Vietnam, during the "Meet Australia 2026" program.
A delegation representing the Vietnam Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC C4IR), led by Deputy Director Nguyen Duc Huy, attended both events, affirming the Centre's bridging role in promoting digital solutions and absorbing advanced resources from international partners.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Huy (center), Deputy Director of HCMC C4IR, attended the meeting.
During the courtesy meeting, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Loc Ha expressed his honor in welcoming H.E. Gillian Bird, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Australia to Vietnam.
Delegates from the Ho Chi Minh City side at the meeting.
Grounded in the increasingly robust Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the City leader affirmed that Ho Chi Minh City always regards Australia as a top-tier strategic partner.
In response, Ambassador Gillian Bird highly commended the City's dynamic economic development, while pledging to actively support the business communities of both sides in turning innovative ideas into practical projects.
Mr. Nguyen Loc Ha, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, delivered the opening remarks at the "Meet Australia 2026" program.Ambassador Gillian Bird of Australia to Vietnam delivered a speech, expressing her appreciation for Vietnam's economic development potential and the opportunities for cooperation between Australia and Vietnam in various fields.Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong shared the positive results of relations between Vietnam and Australia in the fields of political-diplomatic relations, economics, and education-training, while affirming the potential to promote bilateral cooperation in all areas.Mr. Nguyen Hoan Vu, General Director of Becamex Group, spoke about the potential for transforming development models, innovation, and the absorption and application of high technology in the North Ho Chi Minh City Science and Technology Urban Area (formerly Binh Duong province).The "Meet Australia 2026" program also includes thematic discussion sessions: “Promoting trade and investment between Ho Chi Minh City and Australia”; Strengthening collaboration in green energy development”; “Building a future-ready workforce between Australia and Vietnam cooperation in skills development, talent, and sustainable labor”.
After the meeting, the “Meet Australia 2026” event, jointly organized by the HCMC People's Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was officially opened, with the highlight being the discussion session focused on three core and strategic areas: accelerating bilateral trade and investment cooperation; advancing sustainable green energy development; and building a future-ready, high-quality workforce through skills and talent development.
The event has opened up avenues for deep and wide-ranging cooperation, laying a solid foundation for shaping a sustainable economic ecosystem and shared prosperity for both nations in the new era.
On July 24, 2026, the Vietnam Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC C4IR) successfully organized the “Consultation Conference on the Draft Plan to Promote Smart Manufacturing in Ho Chi Minh City for the Period Through 2035.”
