Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Ms. Robyn Mudie, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, representatives of the Party External Relations Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government Office, the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and officials from the Australian Embassy in Hanoi attended the event.

The Vietnam – Australia Centre (VAC) is established under an agreement between the Prime Minister of Vietnam and the Prime Minister of Australia in August 2019. The Centre aims to contribute to capacity building for Vietnamese leaders and managers to meet the country’s integration and development demands, as well as promoting a close, positive and enduring cooperation relationship between Vietnam and Australia in a new context.

Prof Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, said at the ceremony: “The Vietnam – Australia Centre marks an important milestone in the Vietnam - Australia strategic partnership. It helps Vietnam take advantage of Australia’s expertise and experience in training, researching and capacity building, deepening people-to-people links and cooperation between our countries.” 

Australia’s Ambassador to Vietnam, HE Robyn Mudie, said “Australia is very pleased to be able to support Vietnam’s endeavours towards becoming a high-income country by 2045. One way of achieving this goal is through the establishment of a vibrant and dynamic centre which serves as a platform to promote knowledge sharing and innovation between Vietnam and Australia. The newly established Vietnam-Australia Centre also creates a symbol of trust between the two nations and is the centrepiece of our development partnership with Vietnam.”

The Vietnam Australia Centre will be managed under a partnership between the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, implemented through the Aus4Skills program. 

After the signing ceremony, the Project Steering Committee conducted its first meeting.