Australia kicks off direct aid programme for 2018-2019
The Australian Embassy in Hanoi on June 29 began receiving applications for its Direct Aid Programme (DAP), which grants financial support for projects carried out in localities from the north to the central province of Thua Thien-Hue during 2018-2019.
Hanoi (VNA) – The Australian Embassy in Hanoi on June 29 beganreceiving applications for its Direct Aid Programme (DAP), which grantsfinancial support for projects carried out in localities from the north to thecentral province of Thua Thien-Hue during 2018-2019.
Grants of up to 60,000 AUD (44,064 USD) are set aside for non-government organisations(NGOs), community groups and other not-for-profit organisations to developsmall-scale projects to empower disadvantaged groups.
DAP Hanoi will prioritise high value projects and initiatives with innovativeapproaches to longstanding development challenges.
The deadline for online submission is July 31.
Applications must satisfy DAP guidelines. The application form is available at //dap.smartygrants.com.au/DAPHanoiEnglish2018-19 (English version), and //dap.smartygrants.com.au/DAPHanoiVietnamese2018-19 (Vietnamese version).
For queries about DAP or the application process, contact DAP via email Dap.hanoi@dfat.gov.au or telephone: 02437740116.
With an annual budget of 300,000 AUD (220,320 USD), DAP is a competitive andflexible small grants programme funded by the Australian government’s aidbudget. It works with local communities in developing countries on projectsthat reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development consistent withAustralia’s national interests.
DAP projects cover education, health, water and sanitation, environmentalprotection, women’s empowerment and gender equality, supporting people withdisabilities, economic livelihoods, food security and human rights.-VNA
Vietnam and Australia will work together to consolidate political and strategic trust through regular exchange of all-level visits and meetings, and via all channels, in order to make their relationship on par with the strategic partnership, said President Tran Dai Quang.
President Tran Dai Quang and Governor-General of Australia Peter Cosgrove have agreed to strengthen political and strategic trust between the two countries by enhancing the exchange of visits and meetings.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has granted an interview to Vietnam News Agency’s correspondents in Sydney on the occasion of her visit to Vietnam from May 26-28.
The Australia – Vietnam Capacity Building Forum for Women Entrepreneurs in Agrifood Business opened in Sydney on May 28, offering a chance for Vietnamese female entrepreneurs to have creative thinking and gain closer access to international standards.
Developed with state-of-the-art infrastructure, the Da Nang FTZ is designed to become a leading regional economic centre and a strategic growth pole in Vietnam’s new development landscape.
The Binh Duong Association of Supporting Industries (BASI) is expected to promote the usage of domestically manufactured components while supporting businesses in accessing international markets, strengthening linkages, and promoting deeper integration into global supply chains.
PwC Vietnam forecasts a vibrant M&A market in Vietnam’s healthcare sector in 2025, driven by rising demand for high-quality medical services and a growing middle class. Pharmaceutical companies, private hospitals, and specialised medical facilities, particularly in ophthalmology and oncology, are predicted to be key targets for M&A.
The central province of Quang Nam is set to become a hub for the medicinal plant industry, with Ngoc Linh ginseng designated as the core crop, under the Prime Minister's decision issued earlier this year.
The North-South Expressway project is scheduled for completion by 2030, aiming to establish the groundwork for Vietnam’s modern railway industry and stimulate regional economic development, positioning the country for a significant economic leap in the era of national rise.
The probe, initiated on June 11 following a petition by the US Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood, targets products classified under HS Code 4412 and 9403 imported from China, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways was born as a perfect piece in Sun Group’s strategic vision to build a premium ecosystem of tourism, entertainment, real estate, and aviation. With a pioneering ambition, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is not just an airline, but a symbol of connection – bringing the world to Phu Quoc and taking Phu Quoc to the world.
A key change in the draft decree is a provision requiring bank transfers for gold transactions valued at 20 million VND (765 USD) and above, to enhance transparency and verify customer identities.
In the first four months of 2025, trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia surpassed 3 billion USD, marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
On June 19 alone, a total of 2,005 trucks completed customs clearance at Lang Son’s border gates — the highest single-day figure ever recorded in the province. Of these, 634 carried exports and 1,371 imports.
The OECD Economic Surveys: Vietnam 2025 report focuses on analysing the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals, the impact of international integration on attracting foreign investment and trade, and the country’s prospects for developing a low-carbon economy.
Antoine Colin, Senior Vice President for Global Supply Chain Digital Transformation & Resilience at HP Inc., affirmed HP’s strategic commitment to building a supply chain and ecosystem in Vietnam and the region.
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Trade Promotion Agency Bui Quang Hung emphasised that logistics has evolved from a technical function into a core capability for Vietnamese exporters to maintain their competitive advantage in the US market.
A trade official has suggested companies work closely with shipping lines, airlines, and freight forwarders to monitor routes, transit times, and potential surcharges while exploring broader cargo insurance to cover risks like war and terrorism.
In addition to institutional reform, the agency is also rolling out key solution groups to combat counterfeit goods, imitations, and intellectual property infringements in the digital environment.
The event, co-organised by the Vietnam Trade Office in the UK and TT Meridian, a local importer of Vietnamese fresh produce, aims to build a national lychee brand and encourage broader recognition of Vietnamese fruits in a competitive, high-end market.
The industry's performance has been powered by bold investments in modern production lines, enabling Vietnamese firms to produce complicated products which were exclusive to advanced economies.
Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA) 
