Vietnam is affirming its position as one of Asia’s most dynamic economies and has become a highly promising market for the business community in South Australia.
This assessment was shared by Mr. David Dean, President of the Australia–Vietnam Chamber of Commerce (AVCC), South Australia, at the First Vietnam–Australia Trade Promotion Program, held on January 29.
The program took place at the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Business Support and Development (CSED), under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, and was jointly organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Supporting Industries Association (HASI), the Saigon Entrepreneurs Association, the Ho Chi Minh City Young Business Association – Saigon Chapter (YBA Saigon), and the Australia-Vietnam Trade Mission (AVTM), the Australia–Vietnam Chamber of Commerce (AVCC).
The event is expected to serve as a bridge connecting businesses from both countries amid the increasingly strengthened Vietnam–Australia relationship under the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, promoting more practical and sustainable cooperation.
Nearly 100 Vietnamese and Australian companies participated in the program, representing a wide range of industries, including information technology, artificial intelligence, automation, education and training, import–export and trade, distribution, agriculture and food, real estate, investment and immigration consulting, tourism, design, and interior decoration.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Vo Son Dien, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Business Association (HUBA) and Chairman of HASI, noted that economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Australia has expanded steadily in recent years, creating increasing demand for direct business-to-business engagement.
According to Mr. Dien, as global supply chains continue to be restructured, digital transformation accelerates, and green growth becomes a higher priority, turning strategic directions into concrete projects and business opportunities has become an urgent necessity. Therefore, the First Vietnam–Australia Trade Promotion Program is intended not only as a networking event but also as a platform for building long-term, effective, and sustainable partnerships.
Mr. David Dean also shared that he has been involved with the Vietnamese market since 1996 and has personally witnessed Vietnam’s remarkable economic development. In addition to its impressive growth, he emphasized that Vietnam offers an increasingly open investment environment, creating significant opportunities for Australian businesses, particularly in sectors where South Australia has competitive strengths.
Mr. Dean introduced AVCC, established in 1994, as a non-profit organization operating through its membership network with the mission of promoting bilateral trade and investment between Vietnam and Australia. Through its extensive business ecosystem in both countries, AVCC supports companies in entering new markets, finding business partners, and developing long-term cooperative relationships.
Furthermore, AVCC’s team possesses in-depth knowledge of the Vietnamese market. Many of its members live and work in Vietnam, enabling the organization to effectively assist Australian businesses in understanding the local business environment, legal framework, and cultural landscape.
A major highlight of the event was the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between HASI, the Saigon Entrepreneurs Association, YBA Saigon, and AVCC. The agreement marks an important step toward strengthening cooperation among business organizations from both countries and establishing mechanisms to support members in trade promotion, investment facilitation, and market expansion in the coming years.
As part of the program, a vibrant Business-to-Business (B2B) networking session focused on key sectors such as import–export, information technology, real estate, and tourism. During the session, companies from both countries exchanged business needs, shared market information, and explored specific cooperation opportunities, laying the foundation for numerous potential partnerships.
From a business perspective, Mr. Le Cuong, Head of Industrial Coatings Sales Consulting at AkzoNobel Vietnam, stated that the program provided valuable opportunities for direct business connections, strengthened supply chain collaboration, and opened pathways for sustainable partnerships that could enhance product quality standards and improve manufacturing processes.
Meanwhile, Mr. Pham Duc Thuan, Director of HLS Thuan Hai Import–Export Co., Ltd., shared that the company successfully connected with Australian partners to promote exports of agricultural and seafood products while exploring opportunities to import high-quality products such as honey and wine into the Vietnamese market. The company plans to participate in the Fine Food Australia Fair in May 2026 and hopes to continue receiving support from Australian partners in future trade promotion and business networking activities.
Through these practical networking initiatives, the First Vietnam–Australia Trade Promotion Program has not only created tangible business opportunities for enterprises from both countries but has also strengthened mutual trust and established a solid foundation for the sustainable development of bilateral economic relations in the years ahead.
Source: Baoquocte.vn