Vietnam treasures ties with Australia: Deputy Defence Minister
General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence suggested Vietnam and Australia continue to effectively implement their agreed cooperation agenda, with a focus on increasing delegation exchanges and dialogue mechanisms, expanding training, especially in English language and military specialties for Vietnamese personnel and strengthening peacekeeping collaboration.
The Vietnamese peacekeeping force departs from Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) to carry out their mission at the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam 🎀always attaches great importance to its relationship with Australia and its growing influence on the regional and global arenas, 🌼said General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence.
Receiving Admiral David Lance Johnston, Chief of the Defence Force of Australia in Hanoi on April 23, Cuong highlighted the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024 as a significant milestone, opening new avenues for deeper collaboration, particularly in the field of defence.
General Cuong praised the progress in defence cooperation between the two militaries, citing successful partnerships in training, United Nations peacekeeping operations, and military medicine. He also expressed appreciation for Australia’s logistical support in transporting Vietnam’s level-2 field hospital to South Sudan for peacekeeping duties in September 2024.
Looking ahead, he suggested both sides continue to effectively implement their agreed cooperation agenda, with a focus on increasing delegation exchanges and dialogue mechanisms, expanding training, especially in English language and military specialties for Vietnamese personnel and strengthening peacekeeping collaboration. He welcomed the continued deployment of Australian officers to Vietnam’s Military Science Academy for Vietnamese language training and to the National Defence Academy for senior officers’ courses.
Cuong also called for the effective implementation of the Peacekeeping Partnership Arrangement signed between the two governments in March 2024, and expanded cooperation between military forces. He stressed the importance of close coordination at multilateral forums, particularly under the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) framework.
Admiral Johnston expressed his delight at the development of the two countries' relations, including defence cooperation, in line with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, noting the signing of the Peacekeeping Partnership Arrangement between the two governments. He said he hopes that the two countries' defence cooperation would further thrive, including new cooperation initiatives that align with the needs and capabilities of each country./.
Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Hung Tam said that VASEA is not only a network for the Vietnamese expat community in Australia but also plays a crucial role in strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The centre, to be based at the prestigious Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT) in Hanoi, will serve as a cutting-edge research hub, fostering collaboration between the two nations in strategic technologies and cybersecurity, including 5G and emerging 6G technologies.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
The National Assembly on June 18 passed the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with 408 out of 420 participating deputies voting in favour, accounting for 85.36% of the total.
The Party leader asked the new HCM City to embrace a multi-centre and integrated urban ecosystem where each development pole functions as a link complementary to and intelligently connected with each other in a harmonious whole.
The resolutions issued by the PM as well as ministries and ministry-level agencies reassign responsibility for 346 administrative procedures - 18 from district to provincial levels, 278 to commune level, and 50 eliminated.
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
Vietnamese localities' readiness to implement the two-tier local administration model, the evacuation of 18 Vietnamese citizens from Iran, Petrovietnam's 11th ranking in the 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 are among news highlights on June 17 evening.
The General Secretary underlined the resolve to achieve a growth rate of at least 8% in 2025, laying the groundwork for double-digit growth in the following period. He noted that these are mandatory targets, with no alternative path to success.
Restructuring and improving the quality of officials, civil servants, and public employees is no longer a choice, but an urgent requirement to transition from administrative management to governance in service of the people.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel has advised Vietnamese people living there to proactively prepare and seek ways to leave the country via land border crossings, especially toward Jordan or Egypt, when security and safety conditions allow.
