Australia’s Foreign Minister Highlights Vietnam’s Role in Regional Growth and Stability

	Vietnam News Today (Aug. 13): Party Leader Calls for Effective Implementation of Vietnam–RoK Cooperation Mechanisms
	Australia Hands Over US $240,000 Equipment Package to Vietnamese Peacekeepers

At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong paid an official visit to Vietnam and co-chaired the 7th Vietnam-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting from August 19-21, 2025.

On this occasion, Minister Penny Wong granted an interview to the Vietnamese press, sharing profound assessments of bilateral relations and the future prospects of cooperation between Vietnam and Australia. She affirmed that Australia places a high priority on strengthening its comprehensive cooperation with Southeast Asian nations, regarding Vietnam as a particularly important partner and a country with a prominent role in the region.

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong talks to the press (Photo: VNA)

- Could you highlight the most notable achievements of the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership over the past year?

I am truly delighted to be involved in implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and we were honored to welcome Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Australia in March last year. I believe the two countries have achieved more than 90 percent of the objectives and plans set forth. This reflects the importance of our bilateral relationship.

Australia is now among Vietnam’s top ten trading partners, and we will continue to cooperate with Vietnam on key priorities, working towards the goal set by Vietnam’s leadership of becoming a high-income country.

A specific example is that we have just completed the first transaction in a significant trade deal with VPBank, together with partners from the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, and Australia. This was a US$350 million credit facility - clear evidence of the investment activities we are undertaking together.

- How does Australia assess Vietnam’s role and contributions to the region, particularly within ASEAN and other multilateral cooperation mechanisms?

Vietnam is an important member of the region. Vietnam has a long history of understanding the significance of national sovereignty, and I would like to extend my congratulations on your 80th National Day. Vietnam has always been acutely aware of the need to safeguard sovereignty, and you have brought that leadership spirit and understanding to your role in ASEAN.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (R) and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Ha Noi, August 20, 2025. (Photo: VGP/Hai Minh)

We also acknowledge and congratulate Vietnam on the 30th anniversary of your accession to ASEAN - an immensely significant milestone. Over the years, we have worked very closely with Vietnam.

Vietnam fully understands the importance of international rules and norms, such as international law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and other standards, to ensure that countries like Australia and Vietnam - important nations but not superpowers - must rely on laws and norms to safeguard their sovereignty.

- In Vietnam’s new development era, how can Australia support key economic sectors that Vietnam is prioritizing, such as the digital economy, green economy, and sustainable development?

First of all, ASEAN is projected to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2040, and Vietnam is an important part of that process. Therefore, when we think about cooperation with you, we see Vietnam as a dynamic economy in a dynamic economic region, and Australia wants to be a partner in this development journey, which benefits both our countries and the entire region.

We have developed a Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to enhance Australia’s economic engagement with the region, including Vietnam.

The investment package I mentioned earlier will be used to fund sustainable infrastructure and social projects, and this is one of the core focuses of that investment.

I also note that the National Australia Bank has recently made an additional investment in Vietnam.

Since you mentioned sustainability and the Mekong, I would like to announce today that, within the framework of meetings between leaders and foreign ministers, an additional support package of AUD 50 million will be provided to implement six new activities and expand initiatives on climate resilience and water security for Mekong countries.

This forms part of a larger Mekong support program that we are carrying out. Australia will also provide 30 additional Australia Awards scholarships for the Mekong countries.

I wish to emphasize the Mekong because, as you referred to sustainable development, we are deeply conscious that this is vitally important not only to Vietnam’s security and sustainable growth but also to all Mekong countries.

- How do you view the role of people-to-people exchanges, culture, education, science, and technology in consolidating Vietnam-Australia relations in the long term?

Currently, around 37,000 Vietnamese students are studying in Australia. At the same time, approximately 17,000 students in Vietnam are enrolled in Australian degree programs.

I believe more than 160,000 Vietnamese have chosen Australia as an education destination over the years. This is truly a very important component of the relationship between our two countries.

I care deeply about this field because my own father was a Colombo Plan scholar from Malaysia to Australia. So, within my own family, I have seen firsthand the meaning of education and how relationships built through educational experiences can foster bonds lasting for decades.

In addition, we also have a very large Vietnamese community in Australia. They take pride in their culture, and I believe they have contributed to enriching Australian society’s understanding of Vietnam’s culture and rich history.

- On this visit, and the occasion of Vietnam’s 80th National Day, what message would you like to convey to the people of Vietnam?

I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the people and Government of Vietnam on the occasion of your 80th National Day.

I also want to express my deep respect for what we have seen throughout Vietnam’s history - its achievements, resilience, indomitable spirit, and patriotism.

You have always understood the meaning of defending your nation and safeguarding sovereignty. This is an important part of your national identity, and it is also a precious gift for the entire region.

Therefore, we would like to send our most heartfelt congratulations. I wish to stress that as we reflect on the past, recognize the path that has been traveled, and at the same time build the friendship and strong partnership we share today, this is of profound importance. We understand our history, but we also understand what we are to each other today: we are friends.

- Thank you so much!

Australian Tourist Praises Vietnamese Warmth For A Perfect Holiday Experience Lein Riches, an Australian tourist, became emotional after recovering a ring valued at more than USD 2,000 (approximately AUD 2.5 million). “I just want to ...

AIMO 2025: 100% Of Vietnamese Contestants Won Prizes On August 5, the Asian Mathematical Olympiad Committee announced the results of the 2025 International Final Round of the Asia International Mathematical Olympiad (AIMO) 2025 ...