Vietnam is asserting its position as one of the most dynamically developing economies in Asia, and is also becoming a promising market for the business community in South Australia.
Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Society for the Gifted Nguyen Thi Bich Hanh, President of AVCC David Dean, President of HASI Vo Son Dien, Vice Chairman of YBA Saigon, and Vice Chairman of YBA Saigon Truong Thai Huy (from left to right) representing the four units signed the MoU.
This assessment was shared by Mr. David Dean, Chairman of the Australia-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, South Australia (AVCC), at the first Vietnam-Australia Trade Promotion Program, held on January 29th.
The program was organized at the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Enterprise Support and Development (CSED), under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Supporting Industries (HASI), the Saigon Business Association, the Ho Chi Minh City Young Entrepreneurs Association - Saigon Chapter (YBA Saigon), and AVCC.
The event is expected to become a bridge connecting businesses from both countries directly, in the context of the strong promotion of Vietnam-Australia relations within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, aiming for more substantive and sustainable cooperation.
The program attracted nearly 100 Vietnamese and Australian businesses, operating in diverse fields such as information technology, artificial intelligence, automation, education and training, import and export trade, goods distribution, agricultural products and food, real estate, international investment and immigration consulting, tourism, design and interior design.
Many distinguished guests attended the program.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Vo Son Dien, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Business Association (HUBA) and Chairman of HASI, stated that economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Australia has continuously expanded in recent years, leading to an increasing demand for direct business connections between the two sides.
According to Mr. Vo Son Dien, in the context of the restructuring of global supply chains, the rapid digital transformation, and the growing emphasis on green growth criteria, translating strategic directions into concrete projects and cooperation opportunities has become an urgent requirement. Therefore, the first Vietnam-Australia Trade Promotion Program aims not only to facilitate exchanges but also to build long-term, effective, and sustainable cooperative relationships.
Sharing at the event, AVCC Chairman David Dean said he has been involved with the Vietnamese market since 1996 and has directly witnessed the strong development of the Vietnamese economy. According to him, in addition to its impressive growth rate, Vietnam also possesses an increasingly open investment environment, creating many opportunities for cooperation for Australian businesses, especially in the areas where South Australia has strengths.
Hundreds of businesses participated in the first Vietnam-Australia Trade Promotion Program
At the same time, Mr. David Dean introduced that AVCC, established in 1994, is a non-profit organization operating on a membership network with the mission of promoting bilateral trade and investment between Vietnam and Australia. Through its member business ecosystem in both countries, AVCC plays a role in supporting businesses in accessing markets, finding partners, and building long-term cooperative relationships.
In addition, AVCC's staff has a deep understanding of the Vietnamese market; many members live and work directly in Vietnam, thereby effectively supporting Australian businesses in accessing the business environment, legal framework, and local cultural factors.
A key highlight of the program was the signing of the MoU between HASI, the Saigon Business Association, YBA Saigon, and AVCC. The signing is considered a step forward in strengthening coordination between business organizations of the two countries, while establishing a mechanism to support members in trade promotion activities, investment connections, and market expansion in the future.
Within the framework of the program, the B2B business networking session was lively, focusing on key sectors such as import-export, information technology, real estate, and tourism. Here, businesses from both countries directly exchanged needs, shared information, and discussed specific cooperation possibilities, thereby initially forming many potential partnerships.
From a business perspective, Mr. Le Cuong - Head of Sales Consulting for Industrial Paints at AkzoNobel Vietnam, said that the program provided opportunities for direct connection, helping to strengthen linkages in the supply chain, and opening up avenues for sustainable cooperation, contributing to improving product quality standards and production processes.
Meanwhile, Mr. Pham Duc Thuan, Director of HLS Thuan Hai Import-Export Co., Ltd., shared that his company has connected with Australian partners to promote the export of agricultural and aquatic products, while also seeking opportunities to import high-quality products such as honey and wine into the Vietnamese market. HLS Thuan Hai Import-Export Co., Ltd. plans to participate in the Fine Food Australia Fair in May 2026 and hopes to continue receiving support and assistance from Australian partners in networking and trade promotion activities.
Through practical networking activities, the first Vietnam-Australia Trade Promotion Program not only opens up concrete cooperation opportunities for businesses in both countries but also contributes to strengthening trust and creating a foundation for the sustainable development of bilateral economic relations in the new phase.
Source: baoquocte.vn