Australian Governor-General successfully concludes State visit to Vietnam

On the morning of April 6, Australian Governor-General David Hurley and his wife, along with a high-ranking Australian delegation, left Ho Chi Minh City, successfully concluding a State visit to Vietnam from April 3-6, 2023.

Photo caption — *President Vo Van Thuong and Governor-General of Australia David Hurley at the welcoming ceremony on the morning of April 4, 2023. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA*

This is the first State visit of a foreign Head of State to Vietnam in 2023 and the first foreign guest that President Vo Van Thuong welcomed in his new position. The visit also has many symbolic meanings, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (1973 - 2023). During his visit to Vietnam, Governor-General of Australia David Hurley had many important activities such as: Laying a wreath at the Monument to Heroes and Martyrs; laying a wreath and visiting President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum; attending the official welcoming ceremony and holding talks with President Vo Van Thuong; paying a courtesy call to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong; meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue; visiting the Vietnam Peacekeeping Force; attending an official reception. On this occasion, Governor-General of Australia received Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen; Visiting some educational institutions in Ho Chi Minh City... At the talks and meetings between senior leaders of Vietnam and the Governor-General of Australia, the two sides expressed satisfaction with the substantive and effective development of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries after 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations. In particular, many areas of cooperation stated in the Action Program for the period 2020 - 2023 have become pillars and bright spots in the relationship between the two countries such as: Security - defense, economy - trade, science - technology, education - training, people-to-people exchange... The leaders shared about the cooperation between the Legislatures of the two countries in perfecting legal institutions to enhance cooperation on regional and global issues such as promoting the digital transformation ecosystem, equitable energy transition and climate change response. Believing that the two countries still have much room and potential for cooperation, the leaders had in-depth discussions on major orientations to strengthen Vietnam-Australia relations in all fields; at the same time, they agreed to discuss upgrading the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at an appropriate time.

Receiving the Governor-General of Australia for a courtesy call, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong welcomed the Australian Governor-General David Hurley, his wife and the high-ranking Australian delegation to visit Vietnam on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1973 - 2023), considering this an important event to further promote the Strategic Partnership between the two countries in the coming time. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong highly appreciated the positive and multifaceted development in the fields of bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Australia, especially trade and people-to-people exchange.

After listening to the Governor-General of Australia David Hurley discuss the results of the talks and meetings with Vietnamese leaders and the activities of the Delegation, the General Secretary agreed with the direction for developing the bilateral relationship in the coming time, and emphasized that the results achieved in implementing the Vietnam-Australia Strategic Partnership are the foundation for the two countries to move towards new milestones, including upgrading to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The General Secretary said that the two countries share many similarities, both are located in the dynamic Asia-Pacific region, especially in Australia, there is a Vietnamese community of over 300,000 people living, working and studying, and suggested that the Governor-General and the Australian Government continue to pay attention and create conditions for the Vietnamese community to promote its role as a bridge for the bilateral relationship. The Leaders agreed that on the basis of the great success of this visit and meaningful activities in the year commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the establishment of a new cooperation framework between the two countries will actively contribute to maintaining an environment of peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Visiting the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, President Vo Van Thuong and Governor-General of Australia David Hurley highly appreciated the results of participation in activities and the dedication of the Vietnamese Blue Berets; said that the cooperation between the two countries in the field of United Nations peacekeeping is very meaningful, not only contributing to strengthening bilateral cooperation but also contributing to world peace; wished that the cooperation between the two countries would continue to achieve more results in various fields, including United Nations peacekeeping, contributing to bringing the relationship between the two countries to a new height. Within the framework of the visit, the wife of President Vo Van Thuong, Mrs. Phan Thi Thanh Tam and the wife of the Governor-General of Australia, Mrs. Linda Hurley visited the Vietnam National Academy of Music. The State visit to Vietnam by Governor-General of Australia David Hurley and his wife contributed to strengthening the connection between the two countries at all levels, consolidating strategic trust between the two countries, and was a highlight in the important Anniversary Year of the two countries.