Ho Ky Minh, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee, was speaking during his reception for Sarah Hooper, Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, on August 4.

He expressed his delight at the positive progress in the Vietnam–Australia relationship, especially following the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024 during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to Australia.

To date, Da Nang has signed three Memoranda of Understanding on establishing cooperative relationships with Australian localities. The city currently hosts 29 Australian foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with a total capital of US$13.9 million, focusing on sectors such as footwear manufacturing, garment production, programming, and restaurants.

In the first half of 2025, its exports to Australia reached an estimated US$8 million, while imports from Australia stood at around US$1.8 million. The city welcomed over 67,390 Australian visitors during the same period. Australia remains one of Da Nang’s top 10 international tourism markets since 2015, significantly contributing to the city’s economic development.

Da Nang has actively participated in various programs and projects funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and UN agencies, particularly in promoting gender equality, sustainable development, and preventing violence against women and children.

Minh proposed that the Australian diplomat continue introducing potential investors and partners to explore cooperation and business opportunities in Da Nang.

The city creates favourable conditions for capable Australian investors to study, survey, and implement projects, especially in strategic zones such as the Free Trade Zone and the International Financial Centre, he assured his guest.

He also called for stronger cooperation in education and high-quality human resource training, particularly in emerging fields like semiconductors and artificial intelligence. He proposed expanding joint training programmes, student exchanges, articulation pathways, and collaborative research between Da Nang’s universities and reputable institutions in Australia.

He requested that Hooper continue to support Da Nang’s participation in the Australian Government’s Direct Aid Program (DAP), a small-scale grant scheme managed by the Consulate General, particularly targeting the city’s western and southern areas in fields like public health and rural development.

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