Australian Prime Minister hosts welcome ceremony for Vietnamese counterpart

After the welcome ceremony, the two Prime Ministers will hold talks, witness the signing of cooperation agreements between the two countries and co-chair a press briefing to announce the outcomes of their summit meeting.

Pham's ongoing visit takes place on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Australia.

Both countries have gained remarkable and comprehensive achievements over the past time, with political trust believed to reach all-time high and two-way trade amounting to US$13.8 billion in 2023, making Australia the 7th biggest trade partner of Viet Nam and Viet Nam the 10th largest trade partner of Australia.

Australia has 600 valid projects in Viet Nam with total investment capital of more than US$2 billion, ranking 20th out of 143 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam. Meanwhile, Viet Nam has poured over US$552 million in 92 projects in Australia, becoming the 11th largest foreign investor in Australia.

Australia is also one of the biggest non-refundable ODA provider for Viet Nam and has offered a great deal of both long and short-term scholarships for the Southeast Asian country.

Around 350,000 Vietnamese are working and living in Australia, making importing contributions to the relations between the two countries.

Pham's visit will offer both sides a chance to review the past achievements in the bilateral ties over the past time and chart major orientations for bilateral cooperation in the time ahead.

Both sides are expected to further expand cooperation in a wide range of areas such as education and training, science and technology, innovation, green economy, energy transition, and renewable development./.