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Welcome

Important message about jobkeeper

Down load information about the Jobkeeper allowance written in Vietnamese in the attached document.

Friendship in the time of COVID-19

Australia Day - Vietnam Friendship Celebration

In Melbourne Australia, we were fortunate to celebrate the lunar new year on the same day as Australia Day - January 26. Members of the AVFS gathered together to celebrate our friendship and the lunar new year.

Peace, joy and good health!

The AVFS would like to wish all those who celebrate the Tet festival, peace, joy and good health, and to welcome in 2020, the year of the rat.

The prayers from the forests of fire

This is a painting by Dieu Thuyen (Hong Anh Nguyen), from Hanoi College of Arts. We thank her for allowing us to reproduce the piece here.

Assisting Vietnamese school children with their English

AVFS President Kim Sampson was recently in Hanoi, assisting school children with their English. Learning English is now part of the Vietnamese school curriculum. "The children, some as young as 8 years old, are able to converse in English at a remarkable level of sophistication", Kim Sampson said. "It was a wonderful experience as they were also able to help me with my Vietnamese".

It is "tet" time of year!

Tet celebrations in Hanoi

2019 is the year of the pig. As a large population of Viet Nam still rely on agriculture for a living, pig has been a close animal to the Vietnamese people through generations. According to Vietnamese belief, they are the embodiment of wealth, good luck and prosperity with their chubby faces, big ears and all-day full stomach.

2019 is the year of the pig.

Vietnamese Australian Students Association (VASA) "Got Talent" event

The Vietnamese Australian Students Association (VASA) in Melbourne will be holding a "Vietnamese Got Talent" event on 24th February 2019, at Montanasa studio. The purpose of the event is to provide entertainment while bringing together Vietnamese and Australians. Everyone is welcome, with tickets available at the venue. There will be a range of unique talents on display, including dancers, singers and even some mind reading! Contact VASA for more information.

AVFS 2018 National Conference, Sydney.

The Australia Vietnam Friendship Society held its 2018 National Conference for the first time in Sydney, on Saturday 22nd September. The meeting opened with an expression of sympathy for the people of Viet Nam for the passing of their President, Tran Dai Quang, and a message of our condolences to his family and friends was sent to the Viet Nam Embassy in Canberra.

There were 2 special guests at the meeting, the first being Ms Dang Thuy Chi, First Secretary of the Education Office at the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Canberra, who presented a letter from the Ambassador, Ngo Huong Nam wishing us a successful meeting. The second special guest was Mr Chris Ray, one of the founding members of the original Australia Vietnam Society. Chris was able to enlighten all of those present about the history of the relationship between Australia and Vietnam, since the end of the war in 1975.

Ms Dang Thuy Chi and Mr Kim Sampson

During the meeting, AVFS President (Kim Sampson) reflected on the past 12 months and the work that had been undertaken, as well as the challenges to be met. One of the main objectives going forward was to encourage further membership, particularly of students from Vietnam studying in Australia.

The Family Doctor Exchange Program that was submitted as a proposal to the Australian Government did not receive funding, but a second submission will be made in the next round. There is very strong support to see the program established, with or without Government support.

The general elections were also held, with the previous National Committee re-elected, with the addition of Mr Jeff Buhler as an ordinary member of the committee. The next National Conference will be held in Melbourne in November 2019.

The AVFS commends the work of MiVac

MiVAC (Mines Victims and Clearance) brings relief to people living in areas affected by mine warfare. Additionally MiVAC provides a positive focus for those who are aware, and are concerned, about what was left behind at the completion of conflicts or the withdrawal of troops.

MiVAC, a 100% voluntary organisation, that provides poor and war affected communities with basic amenities including water supply, toilet facilities as well as UXO clearance. They are currently seeking financial support for the Ba Tang Community 11 Village Water Project in Vietnam.

If you would like to learn more, or offer your assistance, visit their website at: MIVAC

 

Meeting with the Vietnamese prime minister

From L to R: Mary Nikolaidis, Rod Pearce, Kim Sampson, His Excellency, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Paul Noack, Kim Pham.

Happy New Year 2018

The Australia Vietnam Friendship Society would like to wish the Vietnames people all over the world, a very happy 2018 new year.

45 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and vietnam

This year marks the beginning of the 45th anniversary year of diplomatic relations between our two countries, with the launch of a 45th anniversary commemorative logo and presentation of nine introductory panels to the Temple of Literature of Vietnam.

The 45th anniversary commemorative logo features Australia’s iconic Sydney Opera House and the star of the Vietnamese flag. The logo’s 24 year-old amateur designer, Mr Nguyen Viet Hung, said that creation of the logo was inspired by his first memories of Australia and the participation of the Vietnamese sporting team at the Sydney Olympic Games 2000. The winning logo was selected from a competition organised by the Australian Embassy and Hanoi University of Industrial Fine Arts, in collaboration with the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in November 2017

Mr Nguyen Viet Hung with Mr Craig Chittick (Australian Ambassador in Vietnam)

The competition received over 150 entries from designers across Vietnam. Reflecting the friendship between the two countries, the Australian Ambassador officially presented nine introductory panels to the Temple of Literature. The panels will support tourism at one of the most important historical sites of Hanoi, providing information about the rich history to visitors in three languages.

This project built on the success of a similar project in 2016 in which Australia presented 14 bilingual introductory panels to the Thang Long Citadel, another historical site of Vietnam. “We are really grateful of the Australian Government’s meaningful gift which enables us to better preserve and promote the Temple of Literature. Each introductory panel is a concise brief on a section of the Temple and all together, they tell the whole story about our invaluable historical site,” said the Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam, Dr Le Xuan Kieu. “Through these introductory panels, visitors can come to understand the history and significance of the Temple of Literature,” said the Director.

Australia will celebrate the 45th anniversary throughout 2018 with a program ranging from cultural to trade and economic events. The highlights include the opening of the Cao Lanh Bridge and the Australian Government’s third Taste of Australia event.

Soul of Vietnamese Village

Tam hon lang Viet - Vietnamese folk musical. Now playing in Ha Noi, at the Ho Chi Minh Museum. A marvellous cultural event. For more information visit: tamhonlangviet.com

the Danish vietnamese association

The AVFS is now reaching out to other countries to understand how they work with Vietnam to promote friendship and understanding. We have been liaising with the Danish Vietnamese Association, which has some very good programs. You can learn more about them and their activities here: http://www.davifo.dk

Happy new year

The AVFS joins Viet Nam in celebrating TET in 2017!

Mission Statement

To build strong and lasting friendships between the people of Australia and the people of Vietnam.

The Australia Vietnam Friendship Society (AVFS) is a charity registered with the ACNC, which seeks to:

  • Develop understanding between the Vietnamese and Australian people though the improved understanding of mutual culture, education, religion, health, care for the disadvantaged, reconciliation, human rights, security and public policy
  • To establish cultural, educational, religious and other charitable people to people contacts between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Australia
  • To promote Australian and Vietnamese industry and commerce generally for the benefit of the community or public as a whole.
  • To seek development aid for the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from Australia and other appropriate sources.
  • To initiate such charitable activities as shall from time to time be deemed desirable, provided that such activities shall not be contrary to these rules.

Applications are now open for the inaugural Australian-Vietnam Young Leadership Dialogue 2017.

The Australia-Vietnam Young Leadership Dialogue (AVYLD) is a non­-for-­profit initiative that aims to nurture relationships, promote engagement and collaboration between Australian and Vietnamese young leaders to enhance the economic, social and cultural prosperity of Australia and Vietnam.

AVYLD is searching for 20 young, ambitious and visionary leaders in business, policy, startups, non-profit and the arts to participate in the inaugural Australia-Vietnam Young Leadership Dialogue occurring in Sydney, 14-18 May 2017. Together, we will kickstart cross-country collaboration, increase opportunities and prosperity for the next generation and improve the future of Australia and Vietnam.

The costs of the dialogue are fully subsidised by AVYLD via its partners. Be part of this exciting initiative today or refer your friends and colleagues to apply!

Find out more about the dialogue and how to apply at: www.australiavietnam.org/apply
Applications close on 30 November, 11.59pm (Sydney Time) or 7.59pm (Hanoi Time).

Follow AVYLD on Facebook, Twitter and Newsletter for regular updates. For more information, please contact us at: info@australiavietnam.org.

Note: You don't need to have a Vietnamese background to participate. We are open to anyone with an interest in Australia-Vietnam or Australia-Southeast Asia relations.

Australia-Vietnam Young Leaders Dialogue

The Australia Vietnam Young Leadership Dialogue (AVYLD) is an independent not for profit initiative that was established to nurture relationships, promote engagement and incubate collaboration between Australian and Vietnamese young leaders from a broad spectrum of society. Through people to people links, it is believed the bilateral relationship between Australia and Vietnam can be strengthened to contribute to the development of each respective
nation. To find out more, visit: www.australiavietnam.org

Friendship Union launches English-language website

The Thoi Dai (Vietnam Times) newspaper of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) launched an English-language website on 18 May 2016: Thoi Dai

Thien Phuc Charity Centre has new website

One of our favourite charities, the Thien Phuc Charity Centre, now has an English language website: Thien Phuc Charity Centre.

InfluenzaSummitVN

A/Prof Tran Dac Phu (Director General, Dept of Preventive Medicine, VN Ministry of Health) and Kim Sampson (President, AVFS, and Executive Director of APACI) at the Asia Pacific Influenza Summit in Hanoi, 11 June 2015.

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125 years since the birth of Ho Chi Minh (born 19 May 1890)

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Meeting of VAFA, VUFO, AVFS & IPMPH on eve of TET

AVFS President, Kim Sampson, met with Prof Nhung Tran Van, President of the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association (VAFA), along with members of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), and Prof Le Thi Huong, Director of the Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health (IPMPH), on the eve of TET (17th February 2015) to discuss plans for the future, and to celebrate our strengthening ties.

Kim Sampson was also representing the Asia-Pacific Alliance for the Control of Influenza (APACI), where an international meeting is being planned for June 2015. It is hoped that the Vietnam Minister for Health will open the conference.

VAFA meeting

LtoR: Mr Le Trung Hieu (VUFO), Prof Nhung Tran Van (VAFA), Prof Le Thi Huong (IPMPH), Mr Nguyen Ngoc Hung (VUFO), Mr Kim Sampson (AVFS), Mr Tran Duc Minh (VUFO)

Welcome to "Vietnam In Australia"

AVFS has recently made contact with another active group working to improve the relations between Australians and Vietnamese, particularly the latter living in Australia. The group is Canberra based, and are linked to the Vietnamese Embassy in Canberra. Visit their Facebook page

Gough Whitlam - A message of condolence from VAFA

Building bridges to help students on their return to Viet Nam

The AVFS President, Kim Sampson recently met with Phil Johns of the Australian Chamber of Commerce Vietnam (AusCham Vietnam). The meeting was about finding areas of common interest, and to this end it became clear that both the AVFS and AusCham could help Vietnamese students in a complementary way. The AVFS is very interested in engaging with Vietnamese students, to not only support them while they are being educated in Australia, but to also gain an understanding from them about the needs of Vietnam, from their perspective. By linking with AusCham in Vietnam, we may be able to help students gain appropriate employment on their return. AusCham supports Australian businesses in Vietnam, and Vietnamese students who have studied in Australia will be in strong demand by these enterprises. This initiative has the strong support of Government officials within Vietnam.

Kim_Phil

AVFS to launch in Victoria

The Victorian branch of the AVFS is set to announce its arrival with a launch on 21st August, featuring the amazing Vinh Giang - Entreprenuer, Speaker, and Magician. The launch will be held at the Maritime Union of Australia, 46 Ireland St, West Melbourne (just a 5 minute walk from the North Melbourne station), at 6.30pm.

Book online for this free event: book here

Launch

For more information about Vinh Giang, visit his website here.

Thien Phuc Charity Centre

The Thien Phuc Charity Center is an NGO which was established in 2010 with the main objective to provide food and rehabilitation to orphaned children, people with disabilities, people affected by Dioxin poisoning, helpless elderly people. The Charity Center also sponsors orphans outside of the community.

To find out more: ">Thien Phuc Charity Centre

Newsletter

You can download a copy of the AVFS newsletter Vietnam Today here: Newsletter

AVFS Constitution

For further information about the society, visit our History page, or download / view our consititution in PDF format below:

AVFS Constitution

Vietnam Headlines

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