At the forum (Photo: VOV)

In his opening remarks, Nguyen Xuan Thang, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, highlighted that the Vietnam–Australia Forum reflects the shared vision and determination of both nations and their governments to build an elite, transparent, modern, and innovative public service that is internationally integrated and better serves national development and public well-being.

Governor-General Sam Mostyn noted that Vietnam is entering a new era with the ambition of becoming a high-income country by 2045. To achieve this vision, she said, Vietnam’s economy must be dynamic, its private sector must grow, and its public institutions must be modern, strong, and responsive.

She stressed that this goal aligns perfectly with Vietnam’s bold new public sector reform program, the most ambitious since the renewal of 1986, which is also the central theme of this year’s forum.

She said: "The theme of this year's forum is building public service excellence in a new era of growth. It has resonance for both our countries, and relevance to our plans for the future, both as sovereign nations and as regional partners. We're here today to exchange ideas and learn from each other about public sector reform. We can do this because our countries are longstanding friends."