Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1973, Vietnam and Australia have built a strong and comprehensive relationship founded on strategic trust and mutual understanding. The relationship has grown in a number of areas, including politics, economics, trade, investment, security and defence, culture, education, and tourism. It began as a Comprehensive Partnership in September 2009 and was upgraded to a Strategic Partnership in March 2018.
The long-standing and strong bilateral relationship between Australia and Vietnam is still growing and expanding in a number of areas, such as trade, investment, education, and development assistance. Australia is a popular destination for Vietnamese students. There are currently over 31,600 Vietnamese students studying in Australia, and the country boasts a network of over 100,000 Australian alumni, many of whom were once recipients of Australian Government scholarships. Numerous Australian alumni are now leaders, advocates, and influencers contributing to Vietnam's comprehensive socio-economic development, both individually and through their professional networks.
Australian Senate President Sue Lines and Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) and Chairman of the Central Theory Council
"Vietnam and Australia are writing a new, impressive, profound, and exemplary story of friendship, woven from sincerity, trust, goodwill, mutual understanding, and respect, as well as a shared vision and belief in a stable, peaceful, and prosperous East Asia-Pacific-Indian Ocean region," Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Xuân Thắng, Politburo member, President of the HCMA and Chairman of the Central Theory Council, stated at the second Vietnam-Australia Forum, which was recently co-organized by the Academy and the Australian Embassy.
The cooperative and friendly relationship between Vietnam and Australia highlights three stories of meaningful change that the two countries have written together over the past 50 years.
First, the story of "the first partner." Australia was the first developed industrial country to officially establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam right after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords. This marked a historic beginning and laying the foundation for many other beginnings. Australia was also the first foreign investor in Vietnam after the enactment of the foreign direct investment law.
Following these positive beginnings, Vietnam has now established diplomatic relations with all United Nations member countries, engaged in trade relations with 230 foreign markets, and signed free trade agreements (FTAs) with 60 economies.
Second, the story of "two nations walking side by side." Relationships between Vietnam and Australia have entered a new phase with the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, defined by ever-more-practical, effective, comprehensive, and sustainable cooperation across a range of sectors, fulfilling the goals and tangible interests of the respective populations.
Following their resource-intensive economies, Australia and Vietnam have pledged to achieve net-zero emissions and are putting green transition and energy transition plans into action. "This forms the foundation for closer cooperation in areas such as climate change, the environment, energy, and resources, becoming a new pillar, a standout highlight, and an important driving force in the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries," said Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Xuân Thắng.
The third story is about "two close friends." Vietnam and Australia have effectively implemented the 2020-2023 Action Program and the Enhanced Economic Cooperation Program until 2025, gradually making trade and investment cooperation a highlight in their bilateral relations.
Both Vietnam and Australia rank among each other’s top 10 largest trading partners. In 2023, bilateral trade reached $13.8 billion, double the figure from 10 years ago. Australia continues to be one of Vietnam's leading providers of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and consistently ranks among the top 15 destinations for Vietnamese tourists.
Delegates join a panel discussion at the second Vietnam-Australia Forum
Looking back over 50 years, the two countries have achieved increasingly comprehensive, deep, and effective cooperation through various important forums in fields such as economics, education and training, science and technology, defence, sports, culture, climate change adaptation, gender equality, capacity building in governance and leadership, digital transformation, and energy transition.
These forums and seminars provide opportunities for both nations to discuss, analyse, and find solutions to regional cooperation issues, while also maintaining, expanding, and strengthening Vietnam-Australia relations in the future. They contribute to elevating the multilateral diplomacy of both countries and play a positive role in peace, prosperity, and development in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and the Indo-Pacific region, for the benefit of global peace, cooperation, and development.
