Opening the festival, Nguyen Dang Thang, the Vietnamese Consul General in charge of New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland, thanked the overseas Vietnamese associations and patriotic individuals for standing side by side with representative agencies over the years.

He applauded the role and contributions of overseas Vietnamese to the country. The Consul General expected to continue to receive support and companionship from overseas Vietnamese.

The "Spring Hometown 2024" program conveyed the message "Tet of three regions - Tet gathering under one roof" to express the wish that the Vietnamese community in Australia continues to unite and bond more to promote the good values of Vietnamese culture and people.

One of the culinary booths with southern flavors at the "Spring Hometown 2024" program. Photo: Van Linh/VNA

Thang hoped that in 2024, the Consulate General would continue to receive support and companionship from overseas Vietnamese.

Overseas Vietnamese people in Australia have actively participated in and supported the organization of the Consulate General's activities, especially those to preserve Vietnamese culture, including the Vietnamese language.

On the occasion, Consul General Thang presented certificates of merit to 16 individuals and organizations with outstanding achievements in culture, education, music, sports, business, scientific research, and contributions to the Vietnamese community in Australia.

On the opening days of 2024, Vietnam News Agency interviewed Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski on the opportunities and potential to advance bilateral cooperation in fields of the countries’ respective strengths.

Ambassador Goledzinowski also shared his views on Vietnam’s diplomatic achievements over the past year, saying that 2023 was a “big year” for the country.

“It’s been particularly because of the 50th anniversary, there has been a huge number of visitors to Vietnam, which also reflects the importance of Vietnam. Vietnam is emerging as one of the most important countries in Asia and in the world,” he noted.

The Ambassador cited visits by high-ranking Australian officials to Vietnam last year, including the Governor-General, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Trade Minister, and Defence Minister.

“We also know that Vietnam elevated its bilateral relationship with some very important countries, Korea, Japan, and the United States, which I think was an important statement of Vietnam’s perspective on the world,” said the Ambassador.

He went on to mention the visit by the Chinese President to Vietnam, saying that China will always be an important country for Vietnam due to economic, cultural, historical, and geographical reasons.

He spoke highly of Vietnam’s foreign policy of diversifying its relationships and building resilience in the national interest. The Ambassador also expressed optimism about the prospects for Vietnam-Australia diplomatic ties to be elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2024.

The Australian side has been working with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to share its knowledge and support Vietnam in reviewing its mining law, as mining is a major industry in Australia and boasts “incredible potential for wealth to be created” in Vietnam. Australia also expects to help Vietnam in building “trusted cables that connect Vietnam to the world,” he said.

Another pillar of cooperation in bilateral ties he mentioned was the “green energy transition”, a field that has been increasingly intensified between Australia and Vietnam in recent times.

“When my Prime Minister was here in Vietnam in June, he announced a new partnership worth 105 million AUD, which we’re calling ‘Aus for growth’. But it will largely be around the green energy transition to assist in Vietnam’s efforts to make sure that your supply chains are green because that’s what will be necessary to trade in the future economy,” said Ambassador Goledzinowski.

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