Nhan Dan Online- A photobook tracing 35 years of official and unofficial links between the two countries entitled Australia and Vietnam: Then and now was launched yesterday by the Australian Embassy in Hanoi.

Australia and Vietnam: Then and now includes 57 photos sourced from public contributions and historical archives. The book is based on a travelling exhibition which toured Vietnam in 2008.

Then and Now showcases the diversity of Australia-Vietnam relations, including photos of exchanges in politics, trade, investment, education, defence, development cooperation, culture, humanitarian relief, sport and tourism.

Signing of the first Trade Agreement between Australia and Vietnam in 1974.

The photobook is a visual story of the amazing build-up in friendship between the people and governments of Australia and Vietnam. It juxtaposes significant historical moments, such as the signing of the first Trade Agreement between Australia and Vietnam in 1974, with equally poignant personal memories, such a Vietnamese football fan supporting the Australian Socceroos in Hanoi in 2007.

Australian Ambassador Allaster Cox said “Particularly significant for me were the photos of the first group of Vietnamese students who went to study in Australian in 1974, testament to our long-lasting education relationship. This group was the foundation stone for the almost 12,000 Vietnamese students now studying in Australia.”

The release of a photobook is one of the activities organised by the Embassy of Australia to celebrate the 35^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and Vietnam.

By Thuy Ngan