AUSTRALIA’S NEW AMBASSADOR TO VIETNAM
Australia’s Ambassador to Vietnam has officially started in her new role.
On Thursday 24 April, Her Excellency Gillian Bird presented her credentials to State President Luong Cuong, in a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi.
“It’s an honour to be taking up this role at a time when Australia’s relationship with Vietnam has never been stronger,” said Ambassador Bird.
“Vietnam and Australia are trusted friends and I’m looking forward to working together to help uphold a region that is prosperous, stable and secure,” she said.
Ms Bird was Australia’s first Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations from 2008 to 2013, visiting Vietnam many times. As Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, she focussed on Southeast Asia for a decade.
Ms Bird served as Australia’s Ambassador to France, from 2020 to 2024, and Australia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, from 2015 to 2019.
“I was proud to support Vietnam’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, and to be at the UN when Australia partnered with Vietnam to provide airlift to its peacekeeping contribution in South Sudan,” Ms Bird said.
The relationship between Australia and Vietnam was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024, bringing new momentum to our cooperation, underpinned by strong economic and trade links.
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Media contact:
Ms Le Hien Trang, Public Diplomacy Officer
Tel: +84 24 3774 0174
Email: [email protected]