Australian Ambassador to Vietnam to visit Can Tho City

On 28 April 2022, Mr. Tran Viet Truong, Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee hosted a courtesy call on Ms. Robyn Mudie, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam during her visit to Can Tho. Accompanying the Ambassador was Ms. Sarah Hooper, the newly-appointed Consul General of Australia in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ambassador Mudie expressed her delight upon returning to Can Tho on her second visit during her tenure in Vietnam, and congratulated Vietnam in general and Can Tho City in particular in their prompt control of COVID-19. The diplomat informed the city leader figures of COVID-19 vaccine doses donated to Vietnam from Australia, including 7.8 million doses for adult, and 7.2 million doses for children.

In addition, the Australian Ambassador mentioned the two important documents, namely the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy, which aims at doubling two-way investment and making Australia become top 10 trading partner of Vietnam, and the joint statement to address climate change on the sidelines of the United Nations climate conference in Glasgow. Besides, Australia has had several different cooperation with the Mekong Delta area in agricultural development and education and training, not to mention the two bridges (My Thuan and Cao Lanh) for urban connection in the region.

In response, Chairman Tran thanked the government of Australia for its support of COVID-19 vaccine to Vietnam. The city leader proudly informed the Australian delegation of the vaccine coverage rate in Can Tho, which is among 99% for primary doses and 80% for the additional/booster doses. Although the city has experienced its first-time negative growth rate (-2.79%) in the past 40 years due to COVID-19, the city leader believed that the socio-economic targets in 2022 would thrive rapidly because the pandemic situation had been controlled and production and business activities and services had been restored, expressed in the city economic growth rate in the first quarter of 2022 being 5.75%.

Chairman Tran also highlighted sectors that fit the future cooperation with Australia, including climate change adaptation, trade and investment, and capacity building. The city leader looked forward to connecting with more Australian enterprises and corporations in agricultural planning, production, distribution, and logistics.

The two sides also agreed on the organization of activities celebrating the 50^th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2023.

During her visit to Can Tho this time, the Australian Ambassador also had meetings with Can Tho University and VCCI Can Tho.