Western Australia’s Asian Engagement Minister Peter Tinley visited the Vietnamese facilities of WA shipbuilding firm Austal in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. Photo by the Australian Embassy

Vietnam - poised to achieve top 20 global economy status by 2050 - is WA’s 16th biggest trading partner, with total trade valued close to $1.2 billion in 2017-18.

Western Australia has strong trade and investment ties with Vietnam as well as historically significant cultural ties with the Vietnamese people.

The Minister’s tour group includes the WA Government’s Singapore Office Commissioner John Catlin, WA Education and Vocational Training Business Development Manager Thuy Vo and Australian Consulate-General (Ho Chi Minh City) Economic/Political Consul Shaun Fitzgerald.

Mr Tinley visited the Vietnamese facilities of WA shipbuilding firm Austal in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province before travelling to Hanoi for more meetings, including ones with Vietnamese Vice Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh and Australian Trade Commissioner Shannon Leahy.

According to the Australian minister, WA has a vibrant community of Vietnamese-Australians, with the most recent Census data showing 15,845 Vietnamese people living in WA - an increase of 24.6 per cent since 2011.

“Vietnamese people make a significant contribution to WA’s economy and community. In return, I intend to ensure that as many people as possible are informed about what WA has to offer the people of Vietnam," he said.

“WA’s proximity to Asia offers advantages and opportunities in many areas including education, trade and investment, and tourism," the minister added. Dtinews