Australia and Vietnam launch 45th anniversary year

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The beginning of the 45th anniversary year was marked today by 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. 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.

Australian Ambassador Mr Craig Chittick and Nguyen Viet Hung.

“Vietnam is one of Australia’s most important partners in the Indo-Pacific. Over the past 45 years our two countries have built a strong partnership which now encompasses political exchange, economic development, security cooperation and innovation collaboration,” said Australian Ambassador Mr Craig Chittick.

"Based on a strong foundation and building on concrete activities (particularly those in this anniversary year), Vietnam-Australia’s Enhanced Comprehensive Partnership will be further advanced in the coming time, both bilaterally and at the regional and international level, towards a Strategic Partnership; meeting the desire and the interests of our peoples and, for peace, cooperation and prosperity in Asia-Pacific and the world," said Vietnamese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Dinh Quy.

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.