Ms. Sarah Hooper – Australian Consul - General, in Ho Chi Minh City “Serving as Consul- General has been a great privilege”

“I have been very fortunate to be here at a time when the Vietnamese and Australian Governments are committed to deepening our partnership to ensure a peaceful, prosperous and stable region”. 

Ms. Sarah Hooper shook hands with Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Mr. Tran Luu Quang at a courtesy call.

Could you introduce the key activities and strategic directions of the Australian Consulate- General in Ho Chi Minh City for 2026?

In 2026, the Australian Consulate- General will continue to advance the strong momentum of the Australia - Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership by strengthening economic engagement, deepening education and research ties and supporting Vietnam’s sustainable development priorities. Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s most dynamic economic centre, and we will keep promoting initiatives under Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 to expand Australian investment into Vietnam and strengthen our two-way trade.

A major priority for 2026 will be strengthening people to people links through education and alumni engagement. Our longstanding cooperation through Australia Award Scholarships, our broader Aus4Skills program and expanding partnerships between Australian and Vietnamese universities plays an important role in developing high quality human resources. For example, the University of Technology Sydney is collaborating with Ho Chi Minh University of Technology to deliver bachelor’s degrees in AI and IT, and Western Sydney University’s partnership with University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City is delivering a wide range of bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

And RMIT Vietnam - Vietnam’s first and only foreign university branch campus - is actively contributing to the city’s digital transformation and innovation agenda via a memorandum of understanding with Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee that shares expertise in the fields of smart city development, leadership capacity, innovation and start-up promotion. On the research front, the University of Sydney Vietnam Institute works to facilitate research and engagement opportunities between the two countries, particularly in the health field.

We are deepening alumni connections through the recently launched Australia Alumni Business Network (AABN), helping to connect Vietnamese professionals with Australian qualifications and fostering stronger economic, innovation and business linkages between the two countries. 2026 will see more from the Network with a major forum on 9 April focused on agriculture, food and the green economy.

Food, innovation and celebration of culture are celebrated at our annual Taste of Australia, taking place in March and April 2026. Taste of Australia is our annual signature platform for showcasing Australian excellence across sectors such as food, beverages, education and tourism, and will take place in March and April 2026.

Our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) is now 2 years old and both governments are committed to concrete actions on climate, digitalisation, people-to-people links, education and peacekeeping. Through our development assistance programs, Australia is helping address climate challenges and promoting resilient, sustainable agriculture - particularly in the Mekong Delta.

Ms. Sarah Hooper spoke at the The LIVEBRARY - RMIT Alumni Impact Showcase.

What specific support does the Australian Consulate- General in Ho Chi Minh City provide to Australian businesses operating in Vietnam, Madam?

We have the following specific activities:

The Invested strategy was launched by the Australian Government in 2023 to deepen Australian businesses engagement with Southeast Asia - including Vietnam, and ensure our shared future prosperity. As part of Invested, an Investment Deals Team has been established at the Consulate, which works with stakeholders in Vietnam to identify and facilitate investment opportunities for Australian investors. We also host the Ho Chi Minh City Landing Pad, which assists export-ready Australian tech businesses to connect with potential local partners in the Vietnamese tech sector. 

We are looking forward to supporting two business delegations, focussed on Agriculture and Food and Fintech respectively, visiting the city in coming months. These visits are part of Australia’s Southeast Asia Business Exchange- SEABX - program which aims to boost two-way trade between our countries by helping Australian exporters to gain on the ground experience and connections in the market.

In addition to laying the groundwork for prosperous business connections between our two countries, these programs and activities will play a role in supporting the Vietnam Government’s ambitious growth agenda to become a high-income country by 2045. 

How do you assess the current business environment in Vietnam? Do you have any additional perspectives?

Vietnam remains one of Asia’s most dynamic economies, and has an ambitious reform agenda, including the recent administrative reforms and increased digitalisation which have helped improve the business environment. Online public services like the National Business Registration Portal have streamlined business registration and licensing procedures, easing the establishment of operations for both domestic and foreign investors. Vietnam’s membership of multiple free trade agreements continues to support trade liberalisation, helping integrate Vietnam more deeply into global supply chains.

The bilateral economic relationship is already strong and continues to expand. In 2024-25, two-way trade in goods and services was valued at $28.5 billion. Vietnam is an important destination for Australian businesses seeking opportunities in sectors such as education, agribusiness, infrastructure, renewable energy and digital technologies. Australian expertise in these areas, coupled with Vietnam’s skilled workforce, underline the mutually benefitial opportunities.

At the same time, there are challenges that need to be considered at home and aboard. These include global economic uncertainties, slowing global demand, potential trade disruptions, regulatory complexity and skills mismatches. However, with continued policy reform, effective governance and the resilience of Vietnamese people, I believe that Vietnam is well positioned to sustain its growth trajectory. As one of Vietnam’s Comprehensive Strategic Partners, Australia is well placed to continue deepening bilateral cooperation and expanding economic engagement across priority sectors. Our CSP and Australia’s Invested strategy are clear demonstrations of our commitment to supporting Vietnam’s growth ambitions to become a high-income country by 2045.

 Ms. Sarah Hooper spoke at the Taste of Australia 2025.

What do you think of Vietnamese women today, particularly women entrepreneurs?

Vietnamese women today are remarkably capable, resilient and outward-looking. Over my time in Ho Chi Minh City, I’ve been consistently impressed by Vietnamese women’s dynamism and optimism- qualities that are clearly visible in the way women lead teams, build enterprises, and seize opportunities in a fast-changing economy.

I have been fortunate to have met many women entrepreneurs and leaders who are doing extraordinary things- women like Huynh Bich Ngoc (TTC Group) and Cao Thi Ngoc Dung (PNJ), who are strong examples of Vietnamese women driving innovation, growth and positive impact through their businesses.

The Australian Consulate- General is focused on expanding practical connections that can help women entrepreneurs thrive- through skills and education partnerships, innovation cooperation, and Australian alumni-driven networks which connect Vietnamese professionals (including many women leaders) with new business opportunities and partnerships.

 You will finish your 4- year term as the Consul- General at the end of April this year. Looking back at the journey, what do you define as your achievements?

Serving as Consul- General has been a great privilege. I have been very fortunate to be here at a time when the Vietnamese and Australian Governments are committed to deepening our partnership to ensure a peaceful, prosperous and stable region. 

During my time, we elevated the Australia- Vietnam bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024. Since then, much of our work at post has focused on translating this partnership into practical cooperation across all priority areas such as trade and investment, education, innovation, digitalisation and climate action.

A highlight during my time in HCMC has been visits by Australia’s Head of State, our Governor- General. Governor- General His Excellency David Hurley visited in 2023 as part of our celebration of the 50th anniversary of the bilateral relationship, reinforcing the importance Australia places in its relationship with Vietnam, Governor- General Her Excellency Sam Mostyn visited in September 2025. We have also seen ministerial visits to HCMC and our Prime Minister visiting Hanoi in 2023. 

On a personal level, one of the most rewarding aspects of this role has been building friendships - with local partners, provincial leaders, alumni and the Australian business community. I am particularly proud of our efforts to strengthen people-to-people links, including through initiatives such as the Australian Alumni Business Network, which brings together alumni-led businesses in Vietnam and Australian counterparts to explore business opportunities. Australia is also fortunate to have a dynamic overseas Vietnamese community. It has been exciting to see and hear the many success stories of Australian Vietnamese establishing businesses, ventures and family lives here in HCMC.

Our bilateral partnership has never been stronger. I am confident that my successor will continue to build on that momemtum and take the Australia- Vietnam partnership to greater heights.

Thanks  for your sharing.

According to Saigon New Day

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