Vietnamese flag illuminated on Perth City Hall for the first time

The red flag with a yellow star illuminated Perth City Hall for the first time during Vietnam’s National Day celebrations, creating a proud and emotional moment for the Vietnamese community in Western Australia.

Vietnam’s Consulate General in Perth held the ceremony on Sept. 2 to mark the 81st anniversary of National Day. Consul General Pham Hai Anh recalled Sept. 2, 1945, which he described as the moment Vietnam opened an era of independence and freedom.

Pham said Vietnam continues to pursue an independent and self-reliant foreign policy while diversifying and multilateralizing its relations. He said Vietnam has diplomatic ties with 194 countries, 99 overseas missions, 45 comprehensive or higher-level partnership frameworks and membership in 70 international organizations. Vietnam also maintains trade and investment relations with 230 countries and territories and participates in 17 free trade agreements.

He cited Vietnam’s 2025 economic growth of 8.02 percent, an economy valued at about $514 billion and per-capita GDP of $5,026. He said Vietnam had entered the upper-middle-income group and ranked among the world’s 20 leading trading economies.

The ceremony brought together nearly 200 guests, including Western Australian Premier Roger Cook, Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Jackie Jarvis, the mayors of Perth and Cockburn, diplomatic officials and several foreign consuls general. Pham also highlighted the growing Vietnam-Australia relationship, particularly after General Secretary and State President To Lam’s state visit to Australia.

Cook said relations between Vietnam and Western Australia were developing positively, with room to expand two-way trade and investment. He said Vietnam’s economic growth and dynamic development created new opportunities for businesses and described Vietnam as central to Western Australia’s strategy for stronger ties with Southeast Asia. Pham praised Vietnamese people in Western Australia for supporting bilateral relations, preserving their cultural identity and maintaining ties with their homeland.

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Vietnam holds a key position in Western Australia’s strategy to strengthen its engagement with Southeast Asia.