Australia-Vietnam Relations: Good Things Are Coming…

Ahead of Lunar New Year - Vietnam's most important holiday, I am delighted to share with you my feelings about this meaningful occasion and some thoughts on the Australia-Vietnam relationship.

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski

For Vietnamese people, Tet is a special time of year. It is a holiday for family and close friends. Last year, I was lucky enough to be invited by Vietnamese friends to celebrate Tet together to enjoy the atmosphere of traditional Vietnamese festivals. This year will be my second Tet in Vietnam as Ambassador and I look forward to learning more about Vietnamese traditions. I love seeing how beautiful Hanoi is during Tet, especially when people prepare kumquat and peach blossoms. Last year, I bought decorations on Hang Ma Street and a kumquat tree which I still take care of regularly. I also had the pleasure of making a banh chung with mung bean and pork filling. Now I know that there are many different types of banh chung and I hope this Tet I will have the opportunity to taste many more flavors. Tet or New Year is a time to look back at the achievements we have made in a year. It is safe to say that 2023 will be the busiest year ever for the Australian Embassy in Hanoi and the Australian Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City, with high-level visits and events to mark the 50th anniversary of Australia-Vietnam diplomatic relations. All of which demonstrate the deep friendship between our two countries. I think perhaps the best is yet to come. 2024 is shaping up to be an even more important year for the Australia-Vietnam relationship. In March, Australia will host the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne and we look forward to welcoming the Prime Minister of Vietnam to this important event for the region. We also hope to complete the elevation of the Australia-Vietnam relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the first half of this year. I am confident that the bilateral relationship will continue to grow. On this special occasion of the year, I wish all of you, the Vietnamese people, a happy Tet and a year of the Dragon filled with health and prosperity!

Baoquocte.vn

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