Vietnam - Australia Friendship Association: the "heart" role of the two countries' relationship

On July 1 in Hanoi, the Vietnam - Australia Friendship Association (AFF) held its 3rd National Congress for the 2025-2030 term. In her congratulatory speech at the Congress, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird said that what makes the relationship between the two countries special is not only cooperation between the governments but also the strong ties between the peoples of the two nations. Friendship associations play the role of the "heart" of this connection - a place to promote dialogue, understanding and meaningful exchange.

President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son attended and delivered a speech at the Congress. Also attending were Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird; representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs , the Central Propaganda and Education Commission, businesses cooperating with Australia and members of the Association.

Vietnam - Australia people-to-people diplomacy, accompanying each other in socio -economic development

According to the direction in the report presented at the Congress, in the 2025-2030 term, the Association will focus on two groups of tasks: First, promoting tourism connections, cultural exchanges, people-to-people exchanges, enhancing exchanges between localities and friendship organizations of the two countries to strengthen friendship and understanding between the two peoples. Second, promoting the role of people-to-people diplomacy to serve Vietnam's socio-economic development by 2030 in the spirit of Directive 15-CT/TW dated August 10, 2022, contributing to the goal of Vietnam becoming a developing country with modern industry and high average income by 2030.

President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son (front row, fourth from left) and Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird (front row, fifth from right) congratulate the Executive Committee of the Vietnam - Australia Friendship Association, term III, 2025-2030. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

The Congress elected the 3rd Executive Committee of the Association, consisting of 40 members; the Inspection Committee, consisting of 5 members. Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat, Chairman of the Science and Training Council, National Economics University, was elected Chairman of the Vietnam - Australia Friendship Association.

In her congratulatory speech at the Congress, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird affirmed that the Vietnam-Australia bilateral relationship is a true partnership, built on the foundation of mutual trust, shared values ​​and increasingly aligned goals. Over the past 50 years, especially after the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the two sides have become closer than ever.

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird delivered a congratulatory speech to the Congress. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

The Ambassador said that what makes the relationship between the two countries special is not only the cooperation between the governments but also the strong links between the people of the two nations. Friendship associations play the role of the “heart” of this connection - a place to promote dialogue, understanding and meaningful exchange. With more than 37,000 Vietnamese students studying in Australia, nearly 5,000 Australian students who have come to Vietnam under the New Colombo Plan and a network of more than 160,000 Vietnamese alumni, education is one of the most important bridges in the relationship between the two countries.

The Ambassador believes that the Association will continue to effectively promote its role as a bridge connecting people, contributing to the comprehensive and sustainable development of the relationship between the two countries. The Australian Embassy in Vietnam will continue to accompany and closely coordinate with the Association in the coming time.

4 suggestions to effectively promote the Vietnam - Australia people-to-people diplomacy channel in the new period

In his speech directing the Congress, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son emphasized: The Congress takes place in the context of the country entering a new stage of development, posing higher requirements for international integration and foreign affairs, including people-to-people diplomacy. Along with that, the Vietnam-Australia relationship is developing strongly, especially after the two countries upgraded to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024, opening up many opportunities to promote cooperation on all channels, including the people-to-people channel.

President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son delivered a speech directing the Congress. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Regarding the direction of activities in the coming time, Mr. Phan Anh Son suggested that the new Executive Committee of the Association meet soon to complete the Congress documents, build an action program for the entire term; the assignment of tasks in the Executive Committee needs to be clear, substantive and effective.

To effectively promote the Vietnam - Australia people-to-people diplomacy channel in the new period, Mr. Phan Anh Son suggested 4 orientations:

Increase the participation of the community of more than 160,000 former Vietnamese students in Australia in the activities of the Association, through the Club of Vietnamese people who have studied and worked in Australia or other appropriate mechanisms.

Promote connections with Vietnamese intellectuals and experts working and living in Australia, especially through the Vietnam - Australia Intellectuals and Experts Association (VASEA), to act as a knowledge bridge, contributing to the country's development.

Coordinate with the Australian Embassy in Vietnam to organize exchange sessions with the participation of the Ambassador and counselors in charge of economics, trade, education... to provide information on bilateral relations and cooperation priorities of the other side, thereby enhancing understanding and connection between members, the Executive Board and the community that used to live and study in Australia.

Create a cooperation mechanism between the Association and domestic universities, especially those with close links with Australian educational partners, to promote academic and student exchanges.

In addition, he suggested that the Association actively connect Vietnamese and Australian enterprises in two directions, focusing on supporting Vietnamese enterprises investing and exporting to the Australian market. He also suggested that the new Executive Committee continue to encourage and promote the role of groups and individuals who have actively contributed to people-to-people diplomacy activities in recent times.

Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son presented Certificates of Merit to 01 group and 02 individuals of the Vietnam - Australia Friendship Association. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

On this occasion, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son presented Certificates of Merit to the Club of Vietnamese people who have studied and worked in Australia and two individuals, Prof. Dr. Tran Van Nhung, President of the Association, Term II, and Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Vice President of the Association, Term II.

According to the report at the Congress, during the 2016-2025 term, the Vietnam - Australia Friendship Association has implemented many practical activities under the motto of "proactive, flexible, creative, effective", expanding the network with 10 local associations and 01 affiliated club. The Association maintains regular delegation exchanges with the Australia - Vietnam Friendship Association, organizes cultural and volunteer exchange activities and connects the community of former international students, thereby strengthening the friendly relations between the people of the two countries.

The Association also cooperated with the host country to implement the general practitioner exchange project, participate in the Australian Government's Friendship Grants Program and provide humanitarian assistance to bushfire victims in Australia. In addition, the Association coordinated with the Australian Embassy in Vietnam and the Club of Vietnamese people who have studied and worked in Australia to honor outstanding alumni, promoting people-to-people exchanges on the basis of education. Foreign propaganda and policy advice were also focused on, contributing to the process of upgrading the relationship between the two countries to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/hoi-huu-nghi-viet-nam-australia-vai-tro-trai-tim-cua-moi-lien-ket-hai-nuoc-214560.html