The visit is expected to inject fresh momentum into bilateral ties and reaffirm the strategic importance of the relationship for the long-term interests of both countries, as well as for peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity in the region and the world.
Comprehensive, practical, effective cooperation
Vietnam and Australia established diplomatic relations on February 26, 1973, and upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024. Since then, bilateral relations have developed strongly, reflecting greater political trust and determination to translate commitments into concrete actions.
"More than two years after the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Vietnam-Australia cooperation has achieved remarkable progress. Cooperation across all key pillars has continued to strengthen, and areas of collaboration have expanded," said Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam.
Vietnam is establishing itself as one of Australia's most dynamic trading partners in Southeast Asia. During the first half of this year, two-way trade reached 8.1 billion USD, up nearly 22% year over year. Australia is among Vietnam's top 10 partners in trade, tourism, and official development assistance.
Science, technology, and innovation are emerging as new drivers of growth. The bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on Innovation has been effectively implemented, focusing on agriculture, healthcare, biosecurity, food, the environment, oceans, and the atmosphere.
The establishment of the Vietnam-Australia Strategic Technologies Centre in Hanoi in June last year, focusing on research into 5G, 6G, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors, and the launch of the Australia-Vietnam Innovation, Science and Technology Cooperation Initiative last month have created a foundation for joint research projects and stronger links among research institutes, universities and businesses.
An important step in implementing the Party's foreign policy
Ambassador Pham Hung Tam said Vietnam and Australia have common strategic interests and need to strengthen cooperation in order to better respond to global changes. Party leader and President Lam's visit will elevate political trust and deepen the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
"As the highest level of Party and State diplomacy and the first State visit to Australia by a Vietnamese President, Mr. Lam’s visit has profound political, diplomatic, and symbolic significance. It will open a new chapter in bilateral relations, and demonstrate the strategic vision and determination of the two countries' leaders to make the Vietnam-Australia relationship an effective cooperation framework based on trust, mutual respect, and shared interests," Mr. Tam said.
The visit is an important step in implementing the foreign policy adopted at the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. It translates Vietnam’s policy of deepening relations with comprehensive strategic partners into practical, effective, sustainable cooperation.
"The primary objective of the visit is to strengthen political trust at the highest level, create fresh momentum for the effective implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and set priorities for future cooperation in key areas like politics, diplomacy, economy, trade, investment, science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, education, training, defense, security, and people-to-people exchanges," Ambassador Tam said.
Professor Carl Thayer of the University of New South Wales said, “As we come to the end of the Plan of Action in 2027, already you have to begin planning for the future. It's mutual. What is Vietnam asking, and what can they provide? As I've indicated already, in those specific areas in computer chips, that would be very valuable. And then in high-tech agriculture, as you're trying to move into that. And as you develop your ports and your infrastructure, and the shipping patterns change, and ships can arrive. Australia can offer the assistance because we're well-integrated into international supply chains. It's a continued upward rise, but in specialized areas that help meet the goals of 2030, 2045 for Vietnam."
Built on a strong foundation of political trust, highly complementary economies, and a shared commitment to cooperation, Party leader and President Lam's visit is expected to make the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership more substantive, effective, and enduring.
