Taking place as the Viet Nam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership enters a new stage of development with broad potential and ample room for cooperation, the visit adds strong momentum for the two countries to translate political commitments into concrete cooperation programmes, contributing to elevating Viet Nam-Australia relations to a new height that is more effective, solid and strategically substantive.
This is the first visit to Australia by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam following the success of the 14th National Party Congress, the consolidation of leadership positions after the elections to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 tenure.
The strengthening of bilateral cooperation through the visit holds important significance for Viet Nam’s development path in the new era. It also provides momentum for the two countries to continue close cooperation at regional and international forums such as ASEAN and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The visit also helps strengthen the personal relationship between Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and Australian leaders.
As an influential country with a prominent role in the South Pacific, the fourth-largest economy in the Asia-Pacific region and a GDP of around 2 trillion USD, Australia is an important and effective partner of Viet Nam in the region. Over more than half a century of accompanying each other in development, Viet Nam and Australia have together written a successful cooperation story, building a solid and comprehensive relationship on the basis of strategic trust and mutual understanding.
In 2024, the two countries upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, opening a new chapter in bilateral cooperation and reflecting strategic trust as well as a shared vision for the future of Viet Nam-Australia relations. Political trust, the complementarity of the two economies, converging interests and the deep bonds between the two peoples are the “golden bricks” that have built a solid foundation for Viet Nam-Australia relations.
In recent times, political trust between Viet Nam and Australia has continued to be consolidated through regular high-level contacts. The two countries now maintain more than 20 bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including important mechanisms such as annual meetings between the two Prime Ministers, the two Foreign Ministers and the two Defence Ministers, as well as the Economic Partnership Meeting and cooperation between localities.
The two sides coordinate closely at regional and international forums. Australia places Southeast Asia as a priority in implementing its regional policy, in which Viet Nam is regarded as one of its leading important partners. Australia holds a positive view and supports ASEAN’s centrality as well as ASEAN’s position on regional issues, including the East Sea/South China Sea.
Cooperation between the two countries has achieved positive results in many fields. Australia is now Viet Nam’s seventh-largest trading partner, while Viet Nam is Australia’s tenth-largest partner.
Cooperation between the two countries has achieved positive results in many fields. Australia is now Viet Nam’s seventh-largest trading partner, while Viet Nam is Australia’s tenth-largest partner. Bilateral trade turnover reached 14 billion USD in 2025. As of May 31, 2026, Australian investors had 734 valid projects with total registered capital of more than 1.9 billion USD, ranking 22nd among countries and territories investing in Viet Nam.
Australia is also one of the largest bilateral providers of non-refundable ODA to Viet Nam, having provided the country with a total of more than 3 billion AUD since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Australia has also shown a spirit of mutual support towards Viet Nam by aiding immediately after storms Yagi, Matmo and others.
Education cooperation is a prominent bright spot. In 2026, with nearly 25,000 students, Viet Nam ranks fourth among the five countries with the largest numbers of students studying in Australia. There are now more than 400 joint programmes between training institutions of the two countries in Viet Nam, including more than 40 university-level programmes.
Education cooperation is a prominent bright spot. In 2026, with nearly 25,000 students, Viet Nam ranks fourth among the five countries with the largest numbers of students studying in Australia. There are now more than 400 joint programmes between training institutions of the two countries in Viet Nam, including more than 40 university-level programmes.
Science and technology, as well as tourism, are also areas in which the two sides have focused on promoting cooperation and achieved many positive results. Viet Nam’s Ministry of Science and Technology and Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation have signed a new five-year Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in science, technology and innovation. The number of Australian tourists visiting Viet Nam has increased steadily over the years, reaching nearly 550,000 arrivals in 2025. At present, there are 56 return flights between the two countries each week.
Contributing to nurturing the fine relations between Viet Nam and Australia, the Vietnamese community in Australia serves as “people’s ambassadors” and durable bridges bringing the two countries closer together and spreading the cultural values of each nation and people. The Vietnamese community in Australia numbers around 375,000, ranking fifth among foreign-origin ethnic communities in Australia. Vietnamese people are present in most states, but are concentrated mainly in Queensland, New South Wales and others.
The more than 50-year journey has affirmed the enduring and vigorous vitality of Viet Nam-Australia relations, transcending time and geographical distance, while creating a foundation for the two countries to look towards a bright future of continued companionship and close cooperation. The state visit to Australia by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation adds another important milestone, contributing to further deepening Viet Nam-Australia relations and thereby creating favourable conditions for the two countries to realise their development aspirations in the new period.
