In a recent development, enhanced cooperation between Việt Nam and Australia’s Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has been agreed upon, focusing on the cities of Hà Nội, Ho Chi Minh City, and Canberra. This decision came after discussions between Vietnamese Ambassador Phạm Hùng Tâm and ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr. Ambassador Tâm expressed optimism about Barr’s impending visit to Hà Nội and Ho Chi Minh City, suggesting it could pave the way for new collaborative ventures.
The ambassador underscored the potential for partnerships in various fields such as renewable energy, innovation, education, tourism, and smart urban development. With these sectors in mind, he proposed the creation of a friendship and cooperation agreement between Hà Nội and the ACT to facilitate enduring collaboration across these domains.
Chief Minister Barr, preparing for his inaugural visit to Việt Nam, acknowledged the significance of the country as one of the ACT’s priority economic partners in its international engagement strategy. He expressed enthusiasm for establishing a sister-city relationship with Hà Nội, highlighting the prospects of joint efforts in green transition, electric transport, and renewable energy endeavors aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Additionally, Barr showed his readiness to engage in public diplomacy activities during future visits by senior Vietnamese leaders to Australia. His visit and the discussions mark a strategic step towards reinforcing economic and developmental ties between the ACT and Việt Nam, with a shared vision for sustainable growth and innovation.