Aus4Transport strengthens Vietnam and Australia transport ties

Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport and the Australian Embassy hosted Aus4Transport’s final workshop in Hanoi on June 13. The event was attended by Nguyen Danh Huy, Deputy Minister of transport, and Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski, as well as representatives from Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Finance, multilateral development nanks, the Ministry of Transport (MoT), and local departments of transport.

Aus4Transport is a long-term transport infrastructure development programme aimed at increasing investments in Vietnam’s transport infrastructure and contributing to an enhanced national transport network that supports inclusive socioeconomic growth and alleviates poverty in the country. The $30 million programme commenced in early 2018 and will end on June 30, 2024 after six and a half years.

Aus4Transport has contributed to strengthening relations between the two countries, opening up many opportunities for future cooperation.

At the workshop, Australian Ambassador Goledzinowski said, “Aus4Transport has helped Vietnam to prepare faster and high-quality projects at international standards to leverage over $445 million from multilateral development banks for transport infrastructure development. The programme has supported capacity building and institutional strengthening for the MoT and its institutions and agencies.”

“Together with My Thuan and Cao Lanh Bridges, Aus4Transport will provide lasting links between the people of the two countries and positive momentum for future cooperation under our forthcoming development cooperation programme,” he added.

Andrew Goledzinowski, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, delivered the opening speech

In collaboration with the MoT, Aus4Transport has supported improvements to the sector’s capacity to design and develop high-quality projects and bring them to market faster. It has provided technical and financial support to project preparation and development and helped secure access to high-quality financing for priority transport infrastructure.

The programme’s activities incorporated a focus on best practice gender equality, disability and social inclusion, and safeguarding principles. The activities aimed to guide the management of environmental and social risks associated with transport projects, develop public transport that is accessible for people with disabilities, and to enhance skills and awareness on road safety, axle load control, forest protection, and in preventing HIV/AIDS and human trafficking.

The ambassador also affirmed that after the Aus4Transport programme, the cooperation between the two sides will continue to focus on infrastructure, including transport infrastructure, infrastructure support, and other related activities aimed at the environment, gender equality, and households benefiting from the projects.

Emphasising the good cooperation relationship between Vietnam and Australia, the Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Transport stated, “The relationship between Vietnam and Australia is stronger than ever. We have worked together closely for many years now, implementing many programmes that have supported Vietnam’s strategic priorities. I am proud of the work that we have done under Aus4Transport, and I look forward to our two countries working together on the Aus4Growth programme to support Vietnam’s ongoing economic development.”

“The relationship between Vietnam and Australia is stronger than ever," Deputy Minister of Transport emphasised

The deputy minister added that organising the workshop on Aus4Transport is an opportunity to look back on the past 6.5 years. He committed to using bilateral and multilateral funding sources effectively, while hoping to continue receiving attention and support for the transport sector, with the goal of building a modern and synchronous transport infrastructure system.

Evaluating the programme, Nguyen Ngoc Dong, former Deputy Minister of Transport, believed that Aus4Transport achieved comprehensive and integrated results due to innovating the approach, shifting from funding to support with a comprehensive programme for various areas of the transport sector.

At the event, participants also discussed Australia's future support opportunities for the transport sector in Vietnam.

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