The Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City recently organized an event to highlight Australia’s renowned culinary excellence. Attendees had the chance to indulge in some of the finest food and drinks that Australia has to offer. It was a fantastic opportunity for people to enjoy the country’s exquisite culinary offerings!
The prestigious gala was attended by many esteemed guests, such as Vice-Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Vo Van Hoan, and Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Andrew Goledzinowski. Also present were the Consul General of Australia in Ho Chi Minh City, Sarah Hooper, and the celebrated Vietnamese-Australian chef, Luke Nguyen.
At the gala, around 500 guests were treated to an unforgettable culinary experience that highlighted the diverse Australian and Vietnamese cooking styles. Professional chefs from both countries put on a spectacular show, delighting the guests with traditional dishes full of flavour and uniqueness. Attendees had the opportunity to sample the delectable delicacies and gain an understanding of the fusion of flavours from both countries.
He emphasized that the people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and Australia have been growing rapidly in recent years, with the number of Vietnamese students studying in Australia increasing by a staggering 30 percent annually.
He concluded by expressing his utmost pleasure at the opportunity to celebrate this milestone with the Vietnamese people, and his hope that the two countries will continue to grow and strengthen their relationship.
Addressing the gala, Ambassador Goledzinowski highlighted the remarkable fifty-year milestone of bilateral ties between Vietnam and Australia. He emphasized that this relationship has been built on cooperation in education, trade, and government-to-government connection, as well as people-to-people exchanges. He also noted that the number of Vietnamese students studying in Australia has been growing exponentially each year with a 30 percent increase. The Ambassador concluded his remarks by expressing his delight in celebrating the milestone with the Vietnamese people and his hope for a prosperous future between the two countries.
The event has been held every year since 2008, and it has become a well-known and successful event. It has a variety of activities such as cooking demonstrations, culinary workshops, and food tastings. The event has allowed the two countries to share their culinary and cultural backgrounds and to create a lasting friendship. It has also sparked a number of collaborations between Australian and Chinese restaurants and hotels, and has stimulated tourism and business opportunities.
One of the key factors that have strengthened the bonds between the two countries is the annual Taste of Australia event, according to Goledzinowski. This event has provided an opportunity for both countries to come together through food, hospitality, and collaborations between restaurants and hotels. Held yearly since its inception in 2008, the Taste of Australia event has become a highly successful and well-recognized event. It includes a variety of activities such as cooking demonstrations, culinary workshops, and food tastings. This event has allowed both countries to share their cultural backgrounds, fostering a lasting friendship. Moreover, it has sparked numerous collaborations between Australian and Chinese restaurants and hotels, stimulating tourism and business opportunities.
Both countries have popular local delicacies that have earned them a reputation, and the culture surrounding food plays an integral role in social life.
Vietnam is widely recognized as a world-renowned food hub, renowned for its exquisite local delicacies and vibrant culture surrounding food. As noted by Goledzinowski, the country is celebrated for its flavorful dishes that are enjoyed across the globe. Similarly, Australia is acclaimed for its production of renowned wines, foods, and beverages, with its local specialties becoming increasingly popular. Not only do these delicacies make up an essential part of the country’s culture, but they also play a major role in its social life.
The Vice-Chairman Hoan recently announced that a gala is being held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic ties in 2023. This milestone serves as an important reminder of the significant progress achieved in the last five decades of this diplomatic relationship. It is a time to reflect on the journey taken and look forward to the future of this enduring partnership.
“The relationship between the two countries has been steadily strengthening in a myriad of ways,” declared Hoan. “We have been working together in the international arena to promote regional and global harmony and prosperity.”
“We have steadily strengthened our diplomatic ties over the years, progressing from a comprehensive partnership in 2009 to an enhanced comprehensive partnership in 2015, and finally attaining a strategic partnership in 2018,” he emphatically emphasized.
Moreover, the President highlighted the remarkable achievements of the partnership between the two countries in the realms of politics, trade, security, defense, education, and cultural exchange. He praised the progress that has been made in each of these areas and the positive impact that these advances have had on their respective populations. He expressed his gratitude for the friendship and cooperation that have been established between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of such relationships for the future.
It was a unique opportunity for Australian and Chinese businesses to showcase their products and services to the Chinese market. The event provided a platform for the two countries to strengthen their economic ties, enabling Australian businesses to increase their presence in the Chinese market.
The Taste of Australia was an extraordinary event that showcased the strength and dynamism of the bilateral relationship between Australia and China. This event presented a unique opportunity for Australian and Chinese businesses to display their products and services to the Chinese market, thus enabling both countries to strengthen their economic ties. As a result, Australian businesses were able to gain a greater presence in the Chinese market. Moreover, the event highlighted the importance of cultural exchange between the two nations, demonstrating how the two countries can benefit from trade, investment, and collaboration.
Hoan eagerly expressed his hope that the upcoming event would not only be a highlight of their trade and cooperation, but also provide an opportunity for furthering cultural understanding. He highlighted the importance of the gala, stressing that it should be a means for constructing more meaningful partnerships grounded in mutual respect and shared values.
“I was truly astounded by the tremendous importance of food in Vietnamese culture and its ability to foster strong relationships,” Consul General Hooper proclaimed at the event.
This year saw a remarkable 33.6% increase in trade between the two countries compared to the previous year. In recent years, the two nations have been strengthening their economic ties, and the signing of a free trade agreement in 2021 promises to further bolster their relationship.
The agreement will eliminate tariffs on more than 90 percent of goods traded between the two countries, providing easier access for Australian exports to the Vietnamese market. It will also improve access to services, investment opportunities and other areas of economic cooperation. The two countries are also working to enhance their cooperation in the fields of science and technology, education, culture and tourism. This will enable them to reap the benefits of each other’s strengths and create a mutually beneficial relationship.
Australia and Vietnam have significantly strengthened their trade ties in recent years, with total trade turnover reaching VND362.5 trillion (US$15.6 billion) in 2022 – a 33.6 percent increase from the previous year. This growth has been further bolstered by the signing of a free trade agreement in 2021, which will eliminate tariffs on more than 90 percent of goods traded between the two countries. The agreement also promises to provide easier access for Australian exports to the Vietnamese market, as well as improved access to services, investment opportunities and other areas of economic cooperation. The two countries are additionally working to strengthen their cooperation in the fields of science and technology, education, culture and tourism, providing them with the opportunity to leverage each other’s strengths and create a mutually beneficial relationship. As a result, Australia has become Vietnam’s seventh-largest trade partner.
Trade between Ho Chi Minh City and Australia is significantly large and continuously increasing, amounting to over VND27.8 trillion ($1.2 billion) every year, according to Hoan.
