Vietnam and Australia boost cooperation in education, agrifood

The cooperation aims to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Vietnam and Australia.

The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) is collaborating with businesses and government in Hanoi, Hue, and Danang to deliver the “Vietnam- Australia: Unlocking Opportunities in Education and Agrifood” roadshow series starting on March 27 in Hanoi with the participation of over 400 Australian and Vietnamese businesses, organizations, associations and institutions.

The program aims to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Vietnam and Australia.

Australian food and beverage showcase during the seminar took place on March 27 in Hanoi. Photo: Australian Embassy Vietnam

At the kick-off event in Hanoi, Andrew Goledzinowski – Australia's Ambassador to Vietnam shared that the program will deepen engagement and expand opportunities for Australian and Vietnamese partners in the agrifood and education sector and discuss commercial partnerships.

"I am pleased to see participation from all major retail and distribution chains, the food service industry, schools, universities, colleges, and education agents,” he said.

From Australia, I am proud to see the high-quality diverse product on show from our exporters and educational institutions, which truly represents the world-class provenance, innovation, and diversity of Australia," he stated.

Andrew Goledzinowski- Australia's Ambassador to Vietnam delivered a speech at the event held in Hanoi.

The first phase of the program is launched in Hanoi – Hue – Danang from March 27 to March 31 that connects more than 400 Australian and Vietnamese businesses, organizations, associations, and institutions.

In the education session, Vietnamese institutions are introduced to Australian expertise and excellence in education and training from 22 leading Australian universities and academic institutions.

In the agrifood session, Australian and Vietnamese businesses will explore opportunities to increase trade.

The high-end products from Australia such as dairy, seafood, wine, fresh horticultural produce and quality meats also support the enrichment of Vietnam's reputation as a global food and culinary destination further bolstering Vietnam's attraction to international tourists.

Austrade will deliver other similar roadshows in two major cities of Ho Chi Minh City and Cantho, and Nha Trang City in the southern province of Khanh Hoa in September this year.

Vietnam and Australia enjoy a strong, expansive, and enduring agricultural and educational trade partnership that continues to flourish across all domains. Both nations are forging ever-deeper linkages in agricultural trade and investment, education partnerships, Agri-Tech, Ed-Tech, and research.

The country has been one of Australia’s fastest-growing trading partners in recent years and the two-way trade between Australia and Vietnam in 2022 grew around 27 percent on the previous year to around A$23.5 billion, elevating Australia to be Vietnam's 7th largest trading partner with Vietnam now Australia’s 10th largest trading partner.

The two-way trade in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry products surpass the impressive milestone of A$6 billion for the first time in 2022.