A vast array of activities will be held in Hanoi to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Vietnam-Australia diplomatic relation, according to the Hanoi Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association.

The 200 Vietnamese teachers visit Western Sydney University in late 2022. Photo: The Hanoi Times

The celebration program includes a workshop on study opportunities in Australia for Vietnamese students, the Vietnam-Australia food festival, a Vietnam-Australia friendly soccer tournament, and a contest on knowledge about Australia, among other things.

The association will hold workshops and conferences about cultural and educational exchanges, particularly vocational training, general education, working policies, and migration.

The Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association will also facilitate visits to set up economic relations with Australian partners to diversify bilateral relations and areas of cooperation.

Vietnam and Australia established diplomatic ties on February 26, 1973. The two nations became strategic partners in 2018.

Over the past 50 years, Vietnam-Australia relations have developed based on mutual trust and respect. Cooperation between the two nations has achieved remarkable results in various fields, including economics, politics, national defense and security, education, culture, and especially health, with mutual cooperation to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tran The Cuong, Chairman of the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association in Hanoi, said the association had promoted bilateral relations, especially in education, cultural exchange, and socio-economic development.

Hanoi has hosted two groups of Australian third-year university students who came to teach at various local schools. These students had the opportunity to enjoy visiting famous places and offer career counseling to Vietnamese students.

The association also cooperated with the Australian Embassy and Tran Phu High School to hold an event on studying abroad in Australia with the participation of six leading Australian universities, including Torrens University Australia, Deakin University, University of Western Sydney, UTS Insearch, Southern Cross University and University of Western Australia.

It also donated hundreds of millions dong in cash and items for disadvantaged people suffering from flooding in the central coastal region. In 2019, the association raised VND50 million (US$2100) for the families of firefighters and rescue workers.

Also in 2022, the Hanoi Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association supported the visit of 200 English teachers to Sydney to improve their use of computer and technological tools in teaching, where they participated in training sessions at Western Sydney University, and they enjoyed outdoor activities to enhance their knowledge of Australian cultures and customs.