At the meeting, Vice Chairman Nguyen Ngoc He said Can Tho City has received continuous support from the Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City through the Direct Assistance Program (DAP) in the field of rural clean water, education, and the construction of agricultural bridges. These works have brought about practical effects, contributing to the locality's socio-economic development, and gradually narrowing the gap between rural and urban areas. Besides, this year marks the 50th Anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Australia. Therefore, Vice Chairman Nguyen Ngoc He hoped to coordinate with the Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City to organize meaningful commemorative activities in Can Tho City.

Regarding education, Vice Chairman Nguyen Ngoc He expressed his hope for further connections in bilateral education cooperation. Specifically, he suggested building Australian spaces at universities in Can Tho, exchanging workforce, and providing volunteers for English language teaching, contributing to tightening friendship between Vietnam and Australia.

Vice Chairman Nguyen Ngoc He said Can Tho welcomes and offers all possible support for Australian firms to explore opportunities and invest in such priority areas as information and communications, hi-tech agriculture adapted to climate change, preservation and processing of agro-aquatic products, and infrastructure for smart city development.

Can Tho wishes to enhance international cooperation with Vietnamese organizations and communities in Australia, as well as Australian enterprises, in research and development, technology transfer, and workforce training in priority areas, he added.

Responding to the cordial reception of Can Tho leaders, Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Sarah Hooper expressed her gratitude for the good friendship between the two countries and affirmed that Australia attaches importance to the cooperation relationship with the Mekong Delta region, including Can Tho city. Sarah Hooper pledged to actively engage in reinforcing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Australia, with a focus on Can Tho ties.

She said her office has launched the Direct Aid Program (DAP) initiatives in Can Tho in several areas, including clean rural water, rural bridge construction, and scholarships for students and teachers, contributing to local socio-economic development.

The diplomat said Australia has a close rapport with the Mekong Delta region through numerous projects related to agriculture, environment, education, and trade, adding that Australia, through its Australia Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), will continue to strengthen collaboration and implement projects to support the region to cope with climate change. According to her, the Australian Government has invested 200 million USD in Vietnam, with a significant focus on climate change adaptation and sustainable growth in the Mekong Delta.

On September 18-19, the Australian Embassy in Hanoi and Can Tho will hold several activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Australia diplomatic ties, with a conference announcing Australia's education and cuisine being a highlight. Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City and Australian businesses will also attend the event to seek investment opportunities in Can Tho City.