Vietnam President To Lam plans Australia, New Zealand state visits and meets US Admiral

Vietnam’s top leader, President and Party General Secretary To Lam, will travel to Australia and New Zealand from August 9‑14. The visit aims to deepen cooperation in science and technology, climate, energy, defence, security, trade and education. Vietnam expects to sign 12‑16 agreements with Australia covering education, digital transformation, agriculture and health, and 5‑6 agreements with New Zealand on food and fibre, tourism, technology, aviation and investment, according to officials.

On August 5 in Hanoi, To Lam received Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command. The leaders reaffirmed defence cooperation as a pillar of the Vietnam‑U.S. comprehensive strategic partnership and discussed humanitarian programmes, war‑legacy searches and trade issues. To Lam asked the United States to end Section 301 investigations and limit extreme trade‑defence measures that could affect bilateral ties.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced that To Lam will be welcomed for a state visit, noting that two‑way trade reached NZ$3.41 billion in the year to March 2026 and that the two countries marked 50 years of diplomatic relations with a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.