Vietnamese peacekeepers prepare to leave for South Sudan for a UN peacekeeping mission. Photo courtesy of the Australian Embassy Viet Nam News HCM CITY — Việt Nam’s first contingent to participate in a UN peacekeeping mission left HCM City for South Sudan on Tuesday morning on Australia’s largest military transport aircraft. The Vietnamese peacekeepers are being transported on a C-17A Globemaster III aircraft. A second airlift on October 16 will transport the remaining military personnel and equipment. In total, the two airlifts will fly 63 personnel and 64 tonnes of cargo needed to support a military level 2 hospital in South Sudan. At a ceremony at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport, the contingent was honoured by Vice Minister of Defence and Sr Lieut General Nguyễn Chí Vịnh, Australia’s Deputy Chief of Joint Operations Command and Major General Gregory Bilton and Australian Ambassador to Việt Nam Craig … [Read more...] about Australian military aircraft carries Vietnamese peacekeepers to South Sudan
Australian minister of defence
Australia, VN look to tighten defence ties
Deputy Minister of Defence, Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh receives Stephen Moore, head of the International Policy Division under the Australian Department of Defence, Ha Noi, August 14, 2018 Addressing the meeting, Vinh underscored that 2018 marks an important milestone in the Vietnam-Australia relations, with a joint statement on the establishment of a strategic partnership and the celebration of 45 years of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic relations and 20 years of their defence ties. Defence cooperation has been accelerated by the two countries, with significant outcomes generated, thus meeting the interests of both sides, he said. The official noted that the Vietnam Ministry of Defence considers Australia a key partner, which has supported the country in building its peacekeeping training centre. Vinh thanked Australia for its commitment to sponsor equipment for and transport of Viet Nam’s level-2 … [Read more...] about Australia, VN look to tighten defence ties
VN-Australia defence consultation to boost cooperation
Deputy Defence Minister Nguyễn Chí Vịnh receives Australian delegation, led by Stephen Moore, Assistant Secretary Global Interests at the Australian Department of Defence. – VNA/VNS Photo Hồng Pha HÀ NỘI – The 12th Việt Nam – Australia defence cooperation consultation, which will cover a wide range of issues, is expected to boost ties between the two defence ministries, said Deputy Defence Minister Nguyễn Chí Vịnh. The Deputy Minister made his comments at a reception in Hà Nội yesterday for the Australian delegation to the consultation, led by Stephen Moore, Assistant Secretary Global Interests at the Australian Department of Defence. … [Read more...] about VN-Australia defence consultation to boost cooperation
Vietnam-Australia defence consultation expected to boost cooperation
Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh (R) and Stephen Moore, Assistant Secretary Global Interests at the Australian Department of Defence (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The 12th Vietnam – Australia defence cooperation consultation, which will cover a wide range of issues, is expected to boost ties between the two defence ministries, said Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh. The Deputy Minister made his comment at a reception in Hanoi on August 14 for the Australian delegation to the consultation, led by Stephen Moore, Assistant Secretary Global Interests at the Australian Department of Defence. Vinh said the consultation will also help the two sides optimise the role of their consultation and dialogue mechanisms at different levels, first of all the diplomatic-defence strategic dialogue and defence policy dialogue to be held in October this year. The official noted that the Vietnam Ministry of Defence considers Australia a key partner, which has supported the … [Read more...] about Vietnam-Australia defence consultation expected to boost cooperation
Foreign ministers of China, US, Australia visit Malaysia
Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi shakes hands with his Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah (Photo: Bernama) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia has been busy with the visits of the foreign ministers of China, the US and Australia this week. Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi paid a two-day visit to Malaysia from July 31 to enhance bilateral relations and prepare for the upcoming trip of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to China. The Chinese official met with Malaysian PM Mahathir on August 1, after holding talks with his Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah. Meanwhile, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop’s trip to Malaysia will last until August 2. Her visit aims to form relations with the country’s new government and foster bilateral ties in the framework of the strategic partnership in various fields such as trade and investment, education, tourism, defence and people-to-people exchanges. During her visit, Bishop is … [Read more...] about Foreign ministers of China, US, Australia visit Malaysia
Top legislator holds talks with Australian House of Representatives Speaker
Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) welcomes Speaker of the House of Representatives of Australia Tony Smith in Hanoi on July 23 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Australia Tony Smith held talks in Hanoi on July 23, seeking ways to solidify the countries’ relations in a number of aspects. Welcoming her guest’s official visit, Chairwoman Ngan said the trip is significant amid the 45th anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic ties and the increasing trust in their political relations. In particular, the elevation of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership last March has created a new important framework for enhancing all-round cooperation in a more substantial manner. She noted Vietnam has always treasured its ties with Australia, which plays a growing role in the region and the world, and is one of its key partners. She … [Read more...] about Top legislator holds talks with Australian House of Representatives Speaker
Speaker of Australian House of Representatives to visit Vietnam
Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (L) shakes hands with Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives Tony Smith during her visit to Australia in 2017 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – A high-ranking delegation of the Australian House of Representatives, led by its Speaker Tony Smith, will pay an official visit to Vietnam from July 23-25. The visit will be made at the invitation of Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. Vietnam and Australia officially established diplomatic relations on February 26, 1973. Through the decades, Vietnam and Australia have built a strong partnership with the establishment of comprehensive partnership in 2009. They signed a declaration on enhancing the bilateral comprehensive partnership in 2015. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull signed a joint statement on the establishment of the Vietnam-Australia Strategic … [Read more...] about Speaker of Australian House of Representatives to visit Vietnam
Minister Lich meets Australian, French, Japanese defence chiefs
Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich (centre) (Source: VNA) Singapore (VNA) - Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich had bilateral meetings on June 2 with Defence Ministers of Australia, France and Japan on the sidelines of the 17th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. At their meeting, Minister Lich and Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne spoke highly of recent development in bilateral ties, saying that both sides continue carrying out effectively the defence cooperation in accordance with the spirit of the memorandum of understanding signed in 2010. Minister Lich thanked the Australian Defence Ministry for helping Vietnam in providing language training for Vietnamese personnel taking part in the United Nations’ peacekeeping missions, as well as transporting equipment of the level-2 field hospital joining UN peacekeeping operations in South Sudan in the coming time. During their meeting, Minister Lich and Japanese Defence Minister Onodera Itsunori agreed to boost future … [Read more...] about Minister Lich meets Australian, French, Japanese defence chiefs
Australian Minister to visit Vietnam
Australia Foreign Minister Julie Bishop (Source: VNA) Sydney (VNA) – Australia Foreign Minister Julie Bishop will pay a visit to Vietnam from May 26-28 to open the Cao Lanh Bridge with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and co-chair the inaugural Australia-Vietnam Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The minister said in a media release on May 26 that Australia has co-financed the design and construction of the Cao Lanh Bridge as part of a major new transport project that will help connect 18 million people in the Mekong Delta with regional markets and drive economic growth. Australia’s 160 million AUD (over 121 million USD) investment in the project is one of the country’s largest aid activities in Southeast Asia. The Cao Lanh Bridge is a visible symbol of the depth of the Australia-Vietnam relationship, now formalised as a Strategic Partnership, and demonstrates Australia’s commitment to build closer linkages across the Indo-Pacific region, to bring … [Read more...] about Australian Minister to visit Vietnam
Angus Campbell appointed as Australian Chief of Defence Force
Lieutenant General Angus Campbell (Source: AFP)Accordingly, Mr. Angus Campbell will replace Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, who will step down when his four-year term ends in July. "The leadership renewal of the Australian Defence Force… will ensure that we have a seamless transition in the uniformed leadership of our Defence Forces at a critical time in our history, where our forces are engaged in complex and dangerous missions in the Middle East and elsewhere around the world," Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said. Besides, Chief of Joint Operations David Johnston was also appointed as Vice Chief of Defence. “I look forward to working with the incoming chiefs when they are appointed in July,’’ the Prime Minister said in an official announcement.Mr. Angus Campbell has served as the Chief of Army since 2015. Joined the Australian Army in 1981, he graduated from the Royal Military College - Duntroon in 1984. He is married to Stephanie and they have two adult … [Read more...] about Angus Campbell appointed as Australian Chief of Defence Force