The Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, the Hon Tony Smith MP, will pay an official visit to Vietnam from July 23-25, marking the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Vietnam and further strengthening the two countries’ strategic partnership.
Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives Tony Smith.
Speaking about the visit, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Craig Chittick said that this is the 3rd high-level visit by an Australian leader to Vietnam this year after those of Governor General Peter Cosgrove and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.
"This demonstrates the importance Australia attaches to the long-standing friendship and the newly-established strategic partnership with Vietnam,” the ambassador said .
In Hanoi, the Speaker will meet with NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan to discuss ways to deepen the ties between the two legislatures, through that promoting the two countries' bilateral relations and contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
During the visit, the Australian official will also have meetings with Party Secretary General Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council, Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam.
In addition to the high-level meetings, the Speaker will also visit Australia’s social enterprise KOTO in Hanoi; attend a roundtable with members of Australia-Vietnam Young Leaders Dialogue and visit Australian university RMIT in Ho Chi Minh City.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between Australia and Vietnam and the signing of the elevation of the bilateral relations to strategic partnership by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc during Prime Minister Phuc's official visit to Australia in March.
Vietnam is one of Australia’s most important partners in the Indo-Pacific region. The South East Asian country is Australia's 15 biggest trading partner, 7th largest market for agricultural products and the 5th largest source of international students.