Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Tourism, speaks at the event. (Photo: Ngoc Xuan/VOV’s correspondent in HCMC)

Hoa, who also serves as Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City, said the Association considers people-to-people diplomacy the cornerstone of its activities. Cultural, educational, and tourism cooperation are considered key pillars, with youth serving as the successor force and sustainable development as an overarching value.

Sarah Hooper is Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: Ngoc Xuan/VOV’s correspondent in HCMC)

According to Sarah Hooper, Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, in 2026 Australia and Vietnam will share a broad agenda of cooperation in economic growth, skills development, fostering innovation, and contributing to a stable, prosperous region.

Australia values its friendship with Vietnam, treasures its partnership with Ho Chi Minh City, and looks forward to working with the city to deepen connections between agencies, communities, and people, she said.