'Taste of Australia 2023' marks 50th anniversary of Australia-Vietnam relations
The Australian Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City hosted the annual 'Taste of Australia' Gala – a celebration of Australia’s world-class food and beverages in Vietnam – on May 18.
Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) - The Australian Consulate-General inHo Chi Minh City hosted the annual 'Taste of Australia' Gala – a celebration ofAustralia’s world-class food and beverages in Vietnam – on May 18.
Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski saidthat this year’s event was of significance in celebration of the 50th anniversaryof Australia-Vietnam diplomatic relations.
He emphasised that the event presents another aspect ofthe bilateral relationship, namely the connection between food, culture,hospitality and cooperation in the hospitality industry between Australia andVietnam.
The combination of Vietnamese and Australian traditionalculinary cultures is also a prospect for cooperation between the two countries’businesses in this field, he added.
Australia is currently the seventh largest trade partner of Vietnamwith a total two-way trade turnover of 15.6 billion USD, of which 1.2 billionUSD comes from trade between Ho Chi Minh City and Australia.
'Taste of Australia 2023' invited attendees to experienceAustralian food and culture and highlighted the sophisticated and versatileAustralian produce and products available in Vietnam.
This year’s programme included a variety of dishes by fourleading chefs, coordinated and curated by Australian-Vietnamese celebrity chefand Taste of Australia ambassador Luke Nguyen./.
A Vietnam-Australia trade and tourism promotion conference was held by Vietnam Airlines, Thien Minh Group and Vinpearl JSC in Sydney on April 19, drawing a large number of Australian businesses and travel firms from different Australian localities.
A multimedia installation exhibition named “Walking Through A Songline” opened at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum in Hanoi on April 27, as part of celebrations to mark the 50th founding anniversary of Australia-Vietnam diplomatic relations.
RMIT University, the Victoria State Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Asian Institute for Social Studies in Australia, and the Vietnam - Australia Policy Institute has organised a special event in Melbourne to look back on the past 50 years of Vietnam-Australia relations and seek opportunities and development trends for their relationship in the way ahead.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA) 
