General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong receives the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, the Hon Tony Smith MP, in Hanoi on July 23rd, 2018. (Photo: Australian Embassy Hanoi)
“This is the 3rd high-level visit by an Australian leader to Vietnam this year after those of Governor General Sir 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”, said Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr Craig Chittick.
In Hanoi, the Speaker met with National Assembly 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.
National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan meets the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, the Hon Tony Smith MP, in Hanoi on July 23rd, 2018. (Photo: Australian Embassy Hanoi)
During the visit, Mr Smith is also scheduled to met General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh city People’s Council Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam.
In addition to the high-level meetings, the visiting Australian official 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 Southern hub Ho Chi Minh city.
2018 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of Australia - Vietnam diplomatic relationship, and the signing of the elevation of the bilateral relations to Strategic Partnership by Prime Ministers Malcolm Turnbull and 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. It is the Australia's 15 biggest trading partner, the 7th largest market for agricultural products and the 5th largest source of international students./.