The Vietnam – Australia: Shine and Thrive in Education and Agrifood Opportunities 2023 conference took place on Wednesday in Ho Chi Minh City, bringing over 100 Australian representatives from 25 institutions and 45 agrifood companies, state governments, and industry associations to Vietnam to promote Australian food and education.

As part of the event’s agribusiness programming, Australian and Vietnamese businesses explored opportunities to increase trade, providing Vietnamese participants an increased understanding of Australian capabilities through tasting the quality products on offer.

Vietnam is a leading exporter of coffee, rice, cashew nuts, pepper, and seafood, while Australian exports of consumer-ready dairy, seafood, wine, fresh horticultural produce, and quality meats provide the Vietnamese domestic market with greater diversity, extended windows of seasonal availability, and enhanced consumer choice.

Held within the framework of the conference’s education programming, the Study Australia workshop introduced study options and student support programs from Australia’s states and territories, as well as one-on-one meetings with 25 leading Australian universities and academic institutions.

These meetings offered Vietnamese institutions the chance to discuss opportunities for institutional linkages, recruitment, and commercial partnerships.

Vietnamese customers care about Australian products. Photo: Austrade

“I am confident that, through our joint effort and commitment, we will not only be able to achieve more, but will also be able to forge an even stronger relationship and friendship between the people of Australia and Vietnam,” said Rebecca Ball, Australian Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner.

Trade and Investment commissioner of the Australian Government Chris Morley shared Ball’s sentiment, noting that “Australia and Vietnam had ambitions many years ago to become each other's top 10 trading partners, and we achieved that last year. This is truly thanks to the significant interest of Vietnamese customers in our agricultural products.”

Todd Moraitis, executive director of Morco Fresh, a fresh food company, recognized that, like other markets, Vietnam has its own unique cultural and taste preferences. Therefore, his company and other foreign businesses should focus on investing their time in understanding the Vietnamese market.

According to Spencer Whitaker, Market Development Manager for Asia Pacific of Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), Australia produces some of the best quality meat in the world.

“We have some of the highest production systems and safety standards in the world. Vietnamese consumers really like the fact that we have safe, clean, and traceable products,”

Whitaker said at the event, emphasizing the important role of the cold chain in maintaining the quality of exported meat from Australia to Vietnam.

Besides meat, MLA exports live animals, including cows, to Vietnam. The organization has been working with Vietnamese partners and the government to develop animal welfare standards.

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