Australian PM arrives in Hanoi, starting official visit to Vietnam

This represents the first official visit made by PM Albanese since taking office and comes just two months after the State visit made by Governor-General of Australia David Hurley. This serves to demonstrate Australia's recognition of importance to relations with Vietnam.

Those welcoming the delegation at the airport included Minister-Chairman of Government Office Tran Van Son, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry representatives, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski, alongside staff of the Australian Embassy in Hanoi.

PM Albanese is the 31st Australian PM and is one of Australia's longest-serving politicians, creating an image as a messenger of connection and solidarity.

During the election campaign and in his inauguration speech, he emphasised the direction of policy change regarding the environment, climate change, and clean energy.

During the course of the visit, the Australian PM and his entourage will place wreaths in tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi. He is set to hold a press briefing, visit both the Australian and Vietnamese women's football teams, and attend an official banquet.

As planned, PM Albanese will carry out several sideline activities, such as going on a tour of Hanoi to enjoy the capital culinary arts, along with visiting RMIT University and the United Nations International School (UNIS) in Hanoi.

The two-day official visit to the nation by the Australian PM will continue to contribute to consolidating political trust whilst promoting all-around co-operation such as politics-diplomacy, defence-security, economics, investment, labour, education, technology, climate change adaptation, and people-to-people exchanges between both sides.