Australian Embassy in Vietnam on Facebook
Australian Embassy in Vietnam on Flickr
40th anniversary of diplomatic relations
Australia and Vietnam have a 40-year partnership marked by friendship and cooperation in many areas. The relationship continues to grow and has a bright future. Vietnam is the Australia International Cultural Council’s (AICC) focus country program for 2013. The program is showcasing Australia’s creativity and diversity and is creating a platform for future exchange and collaboration.
Launch of 40th anniversary – 26 February (Hanoi)
The 40th anniversary was launched with a media conference at the Sofitel Legend Metropole – the location of Australia’s First Embassy in 1973. The media conference outlined the program of events for the 40th Anniversary year. Representatives from Bangarra were also present at the media conference and we presented the prize to the designer of the winning logo.
Credit: Jeff Busby
Gala Concert featuring Bangarra – Saturday 2 March (Hanoi), Wednesday 6 March (HCMC)
Gala concerts featuring Bangarra Dance Theatre performing Spirit were held in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Bangarra also participated in workshops with under-privileged youth and with Vietnamese dancers. Receptions were also organised for selected guests attended the concerts in Hanoi and HCMC.
More information: Bangarra Dance Theatre
Photos from the workshop between the dancers of Bangarra Dance Theatre and the students from the Vietnam Dance College in Hanoi on 28 February 2013
Bangarra Dance Theatre’s dancers introduced and practised Indigenous dance with the dancers from the Vietnam Youth Theatre in Hanoi on 28 February 2013
Photos of Bangarra’s Spirit in Hanoi on 2 March 2013
Photos from the Bangarra Dance Theatre workshop with trainees from KOTO (Know One Teach One). Bangarra Dance Theatre also conducted a workshop at the Ho Chi Minh City Dance School.
International Women’s Day soccer event - Saturday 16 March 2013 (HCMC)
On Saturday 16 March 2013, to celebrate International Women’s Day the Australian Consulate General collaborated with female university students from Ho Chi Minh City University of Sports to hold a soccer clinic for 100 girls aged 10 – 12 from Vo Van Thang Primary School, with a hope to inspire them to 'dream big'.
April (Hanoi, Danang, Ho Chi Minh City)
This exhibition from Questacon, Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre, makes science fun and relevant to students of all ages through hands-on activities and live performances. The opening ceremony was attended by Professor Graham Durant, Director of Questacon, and included the launch of a bilingual resource book for science teachers in Vietnam.
The exhibition was held in Hanoi (Hanoi University of Science and Technology), Danang (University of Danang) and Ho Chi Minh City (RMIT Saigon South Campus) throughout April 2013 and was open to schools and members of the public.
Public Days
Hanoi April 13, 8:30am – 3:00pm
Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Ta Quang Buu Library, Gate B8, Tran Dai Nghia Street, Hai Ba Trung District
HCMC April 26, 8:30am – 4:00pm
April 27, 8:30am – 3:00pm
RMIT, Saigon South Campus, 702 Nguyễn Văn Linh, Tân Phong, Quận 7, Ho Chi Minh City.
More information: Fascinating Science and Science on the Move
Flickr image gallery: Questacon in Hanoi, April 2013
Flickr image gallery: Questacon in Da Nang, April 2013
Flickr image gallery: Questacon in Ho Chi Minh City, April 2013
Elixir (MusicaViva) – 16-19 May (Hanoi and Danang)
Award winning trio Elixir (featuring Katie Noonan) performed concerts in Hanoi and Danang. In addition to this, Elixir conducted a masterclass for students at the National University of Arts Education (NUAE) and visited the Children’s Hope in Action (CHIA) charity in Hoi An.
More information: The Elixir project
Flickr gallery: Elixir in Vietnam, May 2013
Ballet dancer Colin Peasley brings ‘Graduation Ball’ to Vietnam – May (Hanoi)
Distinguished Australian ballet dancer Colin Peasley spent over two weeks teaching world famous ballet ‘Graduation Ball’ to artists from the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB). A dress rehearsal of the work took place in Hanoi on 20 May.
Photo from the dress rehearsal in Hanoi on 20 May 2013
Message Stick – May 24 – June 13
An Indigenous Australian art exhibition was held at the Fine Arts Museum in Ho Chi Minh City and included a launch event and a workshop run by one of the artists.
More information: Message Stick exhibition
Eliminate Dengue – Visit by Professor Scott O’Neill – 10-11 June (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City)
Australian scientist Professor Scott O’Neill visited Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to speak with scientists, health sector workers and students about the work of the global Eliminate Dengue project.
Flickr gallery: Eliminate Dengue, June 2013
Aust-Viet Junior Chef Challenge – June 17 - 21
A week-long event was headlined by Nhut Huynh ( Vietnamese - Australian chef based in Australia) and included public cooking demonstrations, a ‘masterclass’ for KOTO trainees, and the main event: a cooking competition for kids, all using fresh Australian produce including beef and lamb to make delicious Vietnamese dishes.
More information can be found on the Ho Chi Minh City Consulate's homepage
Social media workshop for journalists – 18 June (Hanoi)
A workshop on “Using social media for media reporting” was held at the Embassy in Hanoi to mark Vietnam Journalists’ Day. The workshop provided local journalists with practical experience and skills to get the most out of social media.
Please click here for more information
Flickr image gallery: Social media workshop, June 2013
Renowned Australia guitarists Janet and Raffaele Agostino - Duo Agostino performed at a special one-off concert in Hanoi on 26 September. The artists also spent time on 27 September working with students at the National University of Arts Education (NUAE).
Please click here for more information
Flickr image gallery: Duo Agostino performance, September 2013
The Cairos – 10 October (Hanoi)
Australian band - The Cairos performed at Hanoi Rock City with a number of local and overseas rock bands at the invitation of the CAMA Festival –Vietnam’s premier international music festival. The band also visited children at the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation – an Australian charity which helps street kids and kids in crisis in Vietnam.
Please click here for more information
Flickr image gallery: The Cairos, October 2013
Ground breaking ceremony of Cao Lanh Bridge – 19 October (Dong Thap)
The ground breaking ceremony of Cao Lanh bridge in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta took place on Saturday 19 October 2013. Australia is investing $160 million in the design and construction of the bridge which is expected to open in 2017. The bridge will be used by 170 000 people every day and directly benefit the lives of five million Vietnamese by stimulating private sector investment and local industry, boosting Vietnam’s exports, and improving access to social and health services.
Please click here for more information
Flickr image gallery: Ground breaking ceremony of Cao Lanh Bridge, October 2013
The event "Australian Alumni Gala 2013" was organised by the Vietnamese Graduates from Australia Club (VGAC) and offered the chance to meet old friends, expand networks and reminisce for over a hundred of Australian Alumni in Vietnam. The gala also introduced the "Australian Alumni Documentary Film” - the first documentary film ever about Vietnamese graduates from Australian universities.
Please click here for more information
Flickr image gallery: Australian Alumni Gala 2013