Vice President of DNSG Association Nguyen Thi Bich Hanh, AVCC President David Dean, HASI President Vo Son Dien, and Vice Chairman of YBA Saigon, Truong Thai Huy (from left to right) are representing the four units that are signing the MoU.

This observation was shared by David Dean, President of the Australia-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, South Australia (AVCC), at the first Vietnam-Australia Trade Promotion Program, held on January 29.

The program was organised at the Ho Chi Minh City Business Support and Development Centre (CSED), under the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City, in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Supporting Industry Association (HASI), Saigon Entrepreneurs Association, Ho Chi Minh City Young Businesspeople Association - Saigon Chapter (YBA Saigon), and AVCC.

The event is expected to serve as a direct bridge for businesses from both countries, as Vietnam and Australia are vigorously promoting their relationship under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework, aiming for more substantial and sustainable cooperation.

The program attracted nearly 100 Vietnamese and Australian enterprises, operating in diverse fields such as information technology, artificial intelligence, automation, education and training, import-export and trade, goods distribution, agriculture and food, real estate, investment and international settlement consulting, tourism, design, and interior decoration.

A large number of distinguished guests attended the program.

Speaking at the event, Vo Son Dien – Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Business Association (HUBA), and President of HASI, noted that economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Australia has been continuously expanding in recent years, leading to a growing demand for direct connections between businesses from both sides.

According to Vo Son Dien, in the context of global supply chain restructuring, rapid digital transformation, and increasing emphasis on green growth criteria, transforming strategic directions into specific projects and cooperation opportunities becomes imperative. Therefore, the first Vietnam-Australia Trade Promotion Program aims not only at networking but also at building long-term, effective, and sustainable partnerships.

At the event, AVCC President David Dean shared that he has been connected to the Vietnamese market since 1996 and has witnessed Vietnam's economy grow firsthand. He stated that, in addition to the impressive growth rate, Vietnam also offers an increasingly open investment environment, creating many cooperation opportunities for Australian businesses, especially in South Australia's key sectors.

Hundreds of businesses participated in the first Vietnam-Australia Trade Promotion Program.

Additionally, David Dean introduced that AVCC, established in 1994, is a non-profit organisation operating through a member network, with the mission of promoting bilateral trade and investment between Vietnam and Australia. Through its member business ecosystem in both countries, AVCC supports businesses in accessing markets, finding partners, and building long-term cooperative relationships.

Moreover, AVCC's team has a deep understanding of the Vietnamese market; many members live and work in Vietnam, thereby effectively supporting Australian businesses in understanding the business environment, legal framework, and local cultural factors.

A key highlight of the program was the signing ceremony of the MoU between HASI, the Saigon Entrepreneurs Association, YBA Saigon, and AVCC. The signing is seen as a step forward to enhance coordination between business organisations from both countries, while also establishing a support mechanism for members in trade promotion, investment connection, and market expansion activities in the near future.

Vietnamese businesses eagerly connect with Australian partners at the B2B trade connection session.

Within the program's framework, the B2B trade connection session was vibrant, focusing on key sectors such as import-export, information technology, real estate, and tourism. Here, businesses from both countries directly exchanged needs, shared information, and discussed specific cooperation possibilities, initially forming many potential partnerships.

From a business perspective, Le Cương – Head of Sales Consulting for the industrial paint segment of AkzoNobel Vietnam - stated that the program provides direct connection opportunities, enhances links within the supply chain, and opens up sustainable cooperation directions, contributing to improving product quality standards and production processes.

Meanwhile, Pham Duc Thuan – Director of HLS Thuan Hai Import-Export Co., Ltd., shared that the company has connected with Australian partners to promote the export of agricultural and aquatic products, while also seeking opportunities to import high-quality products such as honey and wine into the Vietnamese market. HLS Thuan Hai Import-Export Co., Ltd. plans to participate in the Fine Food Australia Fair in May 2026 and hopes to continue receiving support from Australian partners in connection and trade promotion activities.

Through practical connection activities, the first Vietnam-Australia Trade Promotion Program not only opens up specific cooperation opportunities for businesses from both countries but also helps strengthen trust, laying the foundation for the sustainable development of bilateral economic relations in the new phase.