ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, is leading the Government’s first dedicated trade mission to Vietnam this week, in a bid to strengthen Canberra’s engagement with a priority market under the Territory’s International Engagement Strategy.
The mission also supports the Australia-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which prioritises economic engagement, education, innovation, climate action, energy transition and people-to-people links.
“Vietnam is a priority market for Canberra and one of the most dynamic economies in our region,” said Mr Barr.
“Many Vietnamese graduates of Canberra institutions now hold leadership positions in government, business, education and research. Those alumni networks are incredibly valuable for our city.
“We want more Vietnamese students to choose Canberra’s schools, colleges and universities and to become lifelong ambassadors for Canberra.
“We also want to attract more visitors, strengthen research and innovation partnerships, deepen sustainability cooperation and create new opportunities for Canberra businesses.
“This will support jobs, economic diversification and long-term prosperity for Canberrans.”
The Chief Minister said the mission will support new partnerships between Canberra and Vietnamese universities, schools and research organisations, strengthen student recruitment pathways, grow alumni engagement and expand collaboration in areas where Canberra has internationally recognised expertise, including public policy, cyber security, sustainability, health, digital technologies and urban planning. The Government will also promote Canberra as a destination for transnational education, research collaboration and future workforce development.
Tourism and aviation opportunities will also be a key focus. Working alongside VisitCanberra, Tourism Australia and industry partners, the Chief Minister said he will strengthen relationships with Vietnamese travel agents, tour operators and aviation stakeholders. Meetings are scheduled with Vietnam’s leading tourism organisations to promote Canberra and the region as a destination for leisure travel, educational tourism, business events and visiting friends and relatives.
The mission will also highlight Canberra’s leadership in sustainability and the net-zero economy. The ACT was the first Australian jurisdiction to achieve 100% renewable electricity and has legislated a pathway to net zero emissions by 2045.
The Chief Minister will participate in a sustainability and green economy roundtable in Hanoi and visit the Green Power Tower development in Ho Chi Minh City.Â
Business receptions in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will bring together Australian and Vietnamese business leaders, alumni, researchers and industry representatives in a bid to build new commercial partnerships, deepen existing connections and strengthen engagement between Canberra’s institutions and Vietnam’s rapidly growing private sector. The program also includes engagement with Vingroup, one of Vietnam’s largest companies, including visits to VinUniversity and Vinhomes developments, to explore opportunities in education, research, innovation and sustainable city development.
The mission is being supported by Austrade, Tourism Australia and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The cost of the Chief Minister’s participation is approximately $14,000, which will be met from within the existing ACT Executive budget. The final cost will be reported as part of the regular quarterly ministerial travel reports, the Government confirmed in a statement.
