As part of its strategy to internationalize scientific research to improve research quality and increase its global influence, National Economics University (NEU) jointly organized an international conference with the Australian National University (ANU) on December 6, 2024. The conference, themed “Vietnam Policy and Economy Update 2024,” took place at ANU’s Crawford School of Public Policy.

An overview of the conference

Attending the conference were Robyn Mudie, First Secretary in charge of the Southeast Asia and Mainland Division, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Pham Hung Tam, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Australia; Prof. Janine O’Flynn, Director of the Crawford School of Public Policy; Prof. Long Chu, Director of the Vietnam Policy Research Center at the Crawford School of Public Policy; and keynote speakers Prof. Tran Ngoc Anh of Indiana University and Dr. Dang Duc Anh, Deputy Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management.

Representing NEU were Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of NEU; Prof. Dr. To Trung Thanh, Head of the Department of Research Management; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ho Dinh Bao, Head of the Department of Personnel and Organization; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thi Bich Chi, Head of the Department of Finance and Accounting; Dr. Dao Thanh Tung, Head of the Department of International Cooperation; and 11 authors who are lecturers and researchers at NEU. The conference attracted nearly 100 delegates from Australian Government agencies, research institutes, universities in Australia, and media organizations.

Robyn Mudie, First Secretary in charge of the Southeast Asia and Mainland Division, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, delivers welcome remarks at the conference

In her welcome remarks, Robyn Mudie, First Secretary in charge of the Southeast Asia and Mainland Division, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and former Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, said that Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic development and shares a vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region. Robyn Mudie added that relations between the two countries are developing steadily across many fields. In this context, the First Secretary in charge of the Southeast Asia and Mainland Division, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, emphasized that it is very important for Australia to stay informed about Vietnam’s new policies, as this not only enables the sharing of information and knowledge but also provides an opportunity for experts and scholars to expand their networks and contribute to relations between the two countries.

Pham Hung Tam, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Australia, delivers welcome remarks at the conference

At the conference, Pham Hung Tam, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Australia, also provided updates on Vietnam’s achievements in 2024 and shared a vision of an era of national advancement aimed at developing Vietnam into a strong and prosperous country. He expressed confidence that Australia’s efforts to stay informed about new policies and developments in Vietnam would help promote mutual understanding, thereby contributing to the development of partnership and cooperation between the two countries.

Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of NEU, delivers introductory remarks at the conference

In his introductory remarks, Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of NEU, emphasized that the event marked a step forward in scientific research cooperation between ANU and NEU. The conference took place against the backdrop of Vietnam and Australia upgrading their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and addressed important topics in economics, trade, and social development. The conference coincided with the establishment of the Vietnam Policy Research Center at ANU, which aims to study issues such as economic growth, climate change, and energy transition.

At the conference, professors and experts conducting research on Vietnam from ANU, Indiana University (United States), and NEU in Vietnam presented the latest changes in Vietnam’s administrative apparatus, policies, and economic reforms, and the impacts of these policies on the stock market, price regulation, the environment, healthcare, and renewable energy. They also addressed ways to escape the middle-income trap and the balance between agricultural development and ecosystems in the Mekong subregion.

Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Anh of Indiana University (United States) delivers a keynote presentation on seven strategic directions for Vietnam in the era of national advancement

Dr. Dang Duc Anh, Deputy Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management, delivers a keynote presentation on economic structure, prospects, and opportunities for Vietnam

Following the plenary session, the conference divided into four parallel thematic sessions: Macroeconomics and Finance; Trade, Environment, and Resources; Firms, Industries, and Middle-income Trap; and Social Issues and Human Capital, featuring presentations by researchers from NEU.

Prof. Paul Burke, Deputy Director of the Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU, delivers concluding remarks

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Paul Burke, Deputy Director of the Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU, expressed interest in the reforms underway in Vietnam and spoke highly of Vietnam’s development potential, particularly in clean energy, education, healthcare, and technology. He said that current reforms offer major opportunities for economic growth, although more detailed information is needed on how these plans will be implemented. Prof. Paul Burke also said that the two universities’ joint organization of this conference marked a new step forward in scientific research cooperation and expressed hope for broader and deeper cooperation in the next phase.

Prof. Long Chu of the Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU, serves as master of ceremonies at the conference

Selected images from the plenary session

Selected images from the parallel thematic sessions

Some photos from the visit:

Article and photos: Working delegation & Department of Communications

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.