The Exhibition “Development Achievements of Australian Partner NGOs in Vietnam", co-hosted by the Australian Embassy in Vietnam and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), was held on November 9, at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Hanoi.

Speaking at the event, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski said: “NGOs are a key partner in Australia’s overseas development assistance globally and in Vietnam. I’m proud to showcase inspiring stories of positive contribution in the photo exhibition opened today. Australia’s NGO partners bring a deep understanding of local context, close relationships with local authorities and innovative development approaches. These are assets that contribute to the warm relationship that Australia and Vietnam celebrate in our 50th anniversary year”.

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski speaking at the event

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), shared at the opening ceremony: “Australian NGOs have been supporting and partnering with Vietnam from early stages. While their initial contributions encompassed humanitarian support such as infrastructure and medical equipment, loans support, etc., these NGOs have continually adapted their approaches and their focus has shifted towards capacity building, gender equality, economic growth, and engaging the private sector in the development of sustainable models.”

As the standing agency for the Committee for Foreign Non-governmental Organization Affairs, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations works closely and actively supports foreign non-governmental organisations in Vietnam in partnership directions, connections with donors and reliable partners of Vietnam. Legal documents have been under amendments to support foreign NGOs to operate and partner with Vietnam more effectively, he added.

Over many years, Australia’s non-government organisation (NGO) partners have developed people-to-people links, supported poverty reduction, addressed social issues, and contributed significantly to Vietnam’s remarkable socio-economic development.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Vice President of VUFO speaking at the event

Structured around 11 thematic areas, each photo captures a moment, key project activities, partnership sectors, demonstrating how NGOs have adapted their partnership sectors and associated approaches over the years to become more effective partners of the Government and people of Vietnam. The photo exhibition highlights the breadth of support across: Improving infrastructure and equipment, Volunteering and people-to-people links, Strengthening health, Strengthening education and training, Child-focused and protection, Disability-inclusive development, Sustainable livelihoods, Economic growth, Empowering women and girls, Digital technology application, Partnerships and exchanging experiences.

Along with photos, 19 stories show the diverse work and achievements of NGO partners. Each story and real-life characters reflect a variety of themes, diversity of target communities, and scale spreading across all regions of Vietnam based on the strengths and expertise of each organisation.

Standing next to an exhibited panel with her own family's story, Ms. Ban Thi Lan, a Dao Tien ethnic woman and owner of Xuan Lan homestay, Sung Community-Based Tourism village, Cao Son commune, Da Bac district, Hoa Binh province, shared her experience: "We now earn a stable income from community-based tourism business, thanks to Action on Poverty (AOP)’s support and introduction of the model. My village has become more beautiful and clean, our people jointly preserve our traditional culture. We welcome visitors to our village every week, the majority of them are foreigners. The tourists enjoy and appreciate our Dao Tien ethnic culture, trying our medicinal herbal baths, paper crafting, indigo dyeing and brocade. The Sung village performance group is very honoured to perform at the opening ceremony today".

The exhibition displays images and stories of 19 NGOs that have partnered with Australia in Vietnam.

Over the past five decades, countless individuals and organisations have worked with Australia and Vietnam to foster people-to-people links and enhance the partnership between our two countries. The exhibition captures only a small portion of these programs. Total funding from Australia to the NGO partners represented at the exhibition was estimated at AUD 350,800,000 with over 12,600,000 participants.

The exhibition is one of many events celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Australia – Vietnam diplomatic relations during 2023. The exhibition will be open to the public from 9 to 16 November  2023 at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Nguyen Van Huyen, Hanoi./.