Australia and Vietnam strengthen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Gillian Bird, has highlighted the importance of translating the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Australia and Vietnam into tangible results. Following the state visit of Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam to Australia in August, the two nations have strengthened ties across multiple sectors.

Economic cooperation remains a central pillar, with bilateral trade doubling since 2020 to reach a record 30 billion Australian dollars. Both nations are members of three major free trade agreements, and upcoming roles for Vietnam as the CPTPP chair in 2026 and APEC host in 2027 are expected to create further opportunities.

Beyond trade, significant progress has been made in technology, innovation, and education. Key initiatives include the Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technology Center (AVSTC) and the expansion of RMIT University in Vietnam. Additional cooperation areas include digital transformation, the green economy, aviation, and agriculture, with Australian kangaroo and deer meat expected to re-enter the Vietnamese market in 2026.