Sydney (VNA) – More than a year after upgrading their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024, Vietnam and Australia have seen robust, wide-ranging progress across economic, trade, education, defence, security, digital transformation and sustainable development cooperation.
The upgraded partnership has opened a new historical chapter, bringing long-term benefits to both countries.
Speaking with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Sydney, Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam said the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is developing strongly, underpinned by solid strategic trust, shared interests and positive political ties. He expressed confidence that cooperation will continue to expand both bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks, with new opportunities emerging across multiple fields.
According to the ambassador, the six pillars of the Vietnam–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for 2024–2027 are being implemented increasingly effectively. Bilateral trade is expected to maintain strong momentum, with both sides striving to raise two-way turnover to 20 billion USD in the near future. Investment cooperation also holds considerable potential, including the possibility that major Australian investment funds will pay greater attention to the Vietnamese market.
Cooperation in high-tech agriculture, health, semiconductors, energy transition and critical minerals is also expected to see new breakthroughs. Education will remain a key pillar, particularly as Australia plans to raise its cap on international student enrolment in 2026. Vietnam continues to be one of Australia’s leading education partners, with transnational education expected to expand further, especially in vocational training.
Tam noted that the Vietnamese community in Australia has made significant contributions to bilateral ties, particularly Vietnamese-origin intellectuals, experts and businesspeople. A united and growing community not only strengthens its position in Australia’s political, economic and social life but also serves as an important bridge promoting the friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
He stressed that the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia has been proactive in promoting cooperation across all areas in line with its assigned political tasks.
On the political and diplomatic area, the embassy has actively advised and proposed measures to enhance high-level and all-level exchanges, thereby strengthening strategic trust. It also works to encourage Australia to increase official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam in the 2025–2026 fiscal year. Australia has consistently been among the first countries to support Vietnam in overcoming the impacts of storms and natural disasters.
In economic cooperation, the embassy has focused on connecting the two countries’ business communities and supporting Vietnamese enterprises seeking to export to Australia. Investment promotion and science-technology cooperation are increasingly integrated into the Ambassador’s official working trips to Australian states.
In education, the embassy continues to request favourable visa processing for Vietnamese students while promoting transnational education, joint training programmes and the establishment of international educational institutions in Vietnam.
On culture and people-to-people exchanges, the embassy has coordinated with Vietnamese localities and organisations to bring many arts troupes to Australia and has actively supported tourism promotion activities, helping introduce the image of Vietnam to Australian audiences.
According to the ambassador, the deepening of the two countries' Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, based on strategic trust, and the strong, vibrant Vietnamese community in Australia create important favourable conditions for the embassy to carry out its work and further strengthen bilateral cooperation across areas.
He acknowledged that Australia’s vast territory, unique federal political system and increasing competition from other economic partners sometimes pose challenges in promoting cooperation. Nevertheless, he affirmed that the advantages far outweigh the difficulties, and with strong political determination, the embassy will continue striving to fulfil its tasks.
Looking ahead, the embassy will focus on promoting the implementation of cooperation priorities outlined in the 2024–2027 Plan of Action for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, while seeking to leverage opportunities from Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 and the Vietnam–Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy.
In carrying out bilateral cooperation activities, the embassy will also contribute to effectively implementing the Party’s policy resolutions, including Resolution 57 on promoting science, technology and innovation; Resolution 59 on proactive, comprehensive international integration; and Resolution 68 on fostering a dynamic private economic sector./.
