Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen speaks at the friendship exchange programme on March 31. Photo: VNA

The event saw the participation of more than 150 delegates from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association, the Australian Embassy, and Hanoi authorities, VietnamPlus reported.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen affirmed that the capital city always attaches importance to its cooperation with Australian localities.

He expressed his belief that with efforts of the two governments and peoples along with the capital city of Hanoi, the bilateral friendship and multifaceted collaboration will reap more benefits.

Australian Ambassador Andrew Goldzinowski said that the celebration of the establishment of diplomatic ties offered a good chance for both countries to look back on gained achievements and look forward the future.

Australia was one of the first countries to set up relations with Vietnam right after the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam was signed in 1973. Over the past five decades, the relationship has developed sustainably, and gained impressive achievements, and the two countries are striving to upgrade it to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Australian Ambassador Andrew Goldzinowski addresses the event. Photo: VNA

A number of Vietnam – Australia trade and defence cooperation, education and people-to-people exchanged will be held in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on this occasion.

Within the framework of the programme, paintings by Hanoi students were showcased, featuring the Vietnam-Australia friendship, and the beauty of the two countries and their capital cities.

According to VOV, the Governor-General of Australia Gen. David Hurley and his spouse will pay an official State visit to Vietnam from April 3-6 at the invitation of Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong.

During the visit, Governor-General Hurley will also meet with senior Vietnamese leaders, including Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

He is scheduled to attend a variety of events to mark 50 years of bilateral diplomacy between Vietnam and Australia./.

Governor-General of Australia David Hurley. Photo: abc.net.au

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