Australia’s Foreign Minister Highlights Vietnam’s Role in Regional Growth and Stability
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Located in the South Pacific, Australia has consistently maintained a leading role in the region. Its domestic political situation remains fundamentally stable. In foreign affairs, Australia attaches great importance to its relations with Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, while also emphasizing cooperation in the South Pacific and making efforts to sustain stable relations with major powers. Australia particularly prioritizes investment in science and technology, especially scientific research activities.

Australia was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam. The year 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic relations - a precious common asset of both nations and a solid foundation for entering a new era of development.

Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong and Governor-General of Australia Sam Mostyn review the Guard of Honour of the Viet Nam People’s Army at the welcome ceremony in Ha Noi on September 10, 2025. (Photo: NDO)

In 2024, the two countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a significant step forward achieved thanks to the tireless efforts of generations of leaders and the peoples of Vietnam and Australia.

Over more than five decades, political trust between the two sides has steadily strengthened. Regular exchanges of high-level and other delegations, together with the flexible maintenance of more than 20 bilateral cooperation mechanisms, have generated strong momentum for the growing relationship. Cooperation in the economy, trade, and investment has yielded many proud achievements. Australia is now Vietnam’s 7th largest trading partner, while Vietnam ranks as Australia’s 10th largest. Bilateral trade turnover reached USD 14.1 billion in 2024, with USD 7.9 billion recorded in the first seven months of 2025.

To realize the target of raising bilateral trade turnover to USD 20 billion in the near future, both countries are taking practical steps. Recently, Australia has opened its market to Vietnamese fruits such as lychee, mango, dragon fruit, longan, and frozen shrimp products. Conversely, Vietnam has increased imports of various fruits from Australia.

In terms of investment, as of the first half of 2025, Australia had 864 investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of USD 3.38 billion. Meanwhile, Vietnam had 93 investment projects in Australia, making Australia the 11th out of 83 destinations for Vietnam’s outbound investment. The presence of leading Vietnamese enterprises such as TH, An Vien, VinFast, and Vietjet in Australia is vivid evidence of the increasingly close economic ties between the two countries.

In addition, Australia is also one of the largest bilateral partners providing non-refundable ODA to Vietnam. In March 2025, Australia announced a record increase in its ODA for Vietnam to AUD 96.6 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Over the past 50 years, since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Australia has provided Vietnam with more than AUD 3 billion in ODA.

Beyond economy, trade, and investment, education has stood out as a highlight in bilateral relations. With nearly 37,700 students, Vietnam ranks as the fifth largest source of international students in Australia. The two countries have signed a supplementary agreement on the Vietnam-Australia Human Resource Development Program for the 2021-2025 period, as well as an intergovernmental cooperation agreement for the 2023-2027 period. These form an important foundation for educational cooperation between the two nations to further expand and achieve greater progress.

Cooperation in science and technology is another priority for both Vietnam and Australia. The two sides are effectively implementing Phase II of the Aus4Innovation Program. The Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam and Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in science, technology, and innovation for the next five years.

Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn takes a selfie with Vietnamese local residents during her morning walk during her four-day State visit to Vietnam. (Photo: VNA/VNS)

The Vietnamese community in Australia numbers about 375,000 people, ranking fifth among foreign ethnic communities in the country. They have persistently contributed to building invisible yet enduring bridges connecting the two nations, promoting the cultural values of each, and bringing the peoples of both sides closer together.

Respecting the tradition of friendship and cooperation over the past half-century, Vietnam and Australia continue to look toward a bright future with many great achievements in their bilateral relations. The reception of the Australian Governor-General in Vietnam affirms the consistent policy of the Party and State to attach importance to strengthening ties with countries in the South Pacific, including Australia, for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

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