The Vietnamese capital cities Hà Nội and Ho Chi Minh City are set to enhance their cooperative ties with Australia’s Australian Capital Territory (ACT) following a productive meeting between Vietnamese Ambassador Phạm Hùng Tâm and ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr. During this dialogue, Ambassador Tâm expressed his enthusiasm for Barr’s forthcoming visit to Việt Nam, viewing it as a pivotal moment to forge new collaborative ventures. He underscored the areas ripe for partnership, including renewable energy, innovation, education, tourism, and the development of smart urban areas.
Ambassador Tâm further suggested the creation of a formal friendship and cooperation agreement between Hà Nội and the ACT, which could provide a robust framework for sustained collaboration across a variety of sectors. This proposal aligns with the ACT’s strategic interests, as Chief Minister Barr identified Việt Nam as a key economic partner within the ACT’s international engagement strategy.
Making his inaugural visit to Việt Nam, Barr expressed a strong interest in establishing a sister-city relationship with Hà Nội. He sees this as an opportunity to collaborate on initiatives focused on green transition, electric transport, and renewable energy, all of which are essential to achieving the net-zero emissions objectives set for 2050.
Additionally, the ACT Chief Minister indicated his openness to engaging in public diplomacy activities during potential visits from senior Vietnamese officials to Australia, further cementing the ties between the regions. The meeting between Barr and Tâm highlights a mutual eagerness to explore and expand upon the existing economic and cultural connections between the ACT and Việt Nam.