The state government is building on strong commercial and cultural ties with Vietnam in the 50th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
While visiting Vietnam in January, Trade and Investment Minister Tim Pallas announced Victoria as the headline sponsor for the Australia-Vietnam Leadership Dialogue which brings together young leaders in business, academia, start-ups, government, not-for-profits and the arts.
Participants will be selected in coming months and ultimately 20 young leaders will collaborate, culminating in a five-day residential program to help boost connections between the countries.
This initiative builds on a Memorandum of Understanding between Victoria and Ho Chi Minh City signed in May 2022 and is the latest example of mutual interest in trade, investment, education and technology.
Vietnam is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and is Victoria’s 10th largest two-way merchandise trade partner. In 2021-22, goods exports to Vietnam topped $960 million.
Victoria has a strong and long-standing education relationship with Vietnam with Melbourne being home to over 40 per cent of Australia’s Vietnamese students while Victorian education providers including RMIT University, Swinburne University and William Angliss Institute have campuses in Vietnam.
There are more than 8,200 Vietnamese students currently studying in Victoria, which places Vietnam behind only China and India in terms of students on the ground in the state.
The Study Melbourne Hub and Victorian Government Trade and Investment Office – both located in Vietnam’s largest city Ho Chi Minh City – have been open since 2021 with staff working to enhance trade and investment pathways between Vietnam and Victoria.
The Trade and Investment Office has connected more than 150 Victorian businesses with local opportunities, while the Study Melbourne Hub has welcomed more than 6,400 students and hosted events for Victoria’s alumni and education partners.
Trade and Investment Minister Tim Pallas said Victoria has a “strong and proud relationship with Vietnam and the launch of the Australia-Vietnam Leadership Dialogue will help our young leaders to deepen those bonds”.
“There are many tangible benefits of our ties, including in education and industry, and the cultural significance of the relationship is just as important,” he said.
