Vietnam’s State President Luong Cuong welcomes Australia’s Governor-General Sam Mostyn in Hanoi, September 10, 2025. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre
Vietnam and Australia are currently on a path to deepen their bilateral relationship, highlighted during the recent state visit by Australia’s 28th Governor-General, Sam Mostyn, to Hanoi. Following an official welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace, President Luong Cuong engaged in talks with Mostyn that set the tone for an ambitious future collaboration.
Mostyn celebrated her inaugural state visit as an important milestone, underscoring Australia’s commitment as a reliable and sustainable partner to Vietnam. She noted the significance of supporting Vietnam’s ongoing reform initiatives and its target of evolving into a high-income economy by 2045.
At the heart of the meeting was the acknowledgment of their upgraded relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in March 2024. This progression reflects a robust mutual trust and a shared vision to propel their relations into a new era of cooperation.
The two leaders made clear their commitment to enhance economic cooperation. They articulated goals to expand market access for each other’s key products, with their sights set on boosting two-way trade to an impressive $20 billion in the near future. Currently, Australia is Vietnam’s seventh-largest trading partner, while Vietnam is Australia’s tenth-largest trading partner.
According to recent figures, bilateral trade reached $14.1 billion in 2024, marking a modest increase of 2.3 percent from the previous year. Furthermore, trade stood at $7.9 billion in the first seven months of 2025, underscoring the growing economic ties between the nations.
In addition to trade, both leaders emphasized their aim to double bilateral investment. Vietnam is looking to attract increased capital inflows from Australian enterprises, benefiting from initiatives that link Australia more closely with Southeast Asia, such as Canberra’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
They recognized the importance of consistent execution of the action program for the 2024-2027 comprehensive strategic partnership, with particular emphasis on fostering regular consultations and dialogue among various ministries and agencies.
Defense and security remained at the forefront of the discussions. Governor-General Mostyn reaffirmed Australia’s dedication to ensuring robust defense cooperation by continuing training programs for Vietnamese officers and supporting Vietnam’s role in United Nations peacekeeping operations. Additionally, Australia pledged assistance in transporting field hospitals for Vietnam’s mission in South Sudan.
President Cuong took the opportunity to propose an expansion of Australia’s support for the training of high-ranking officials—both at national and local levels—as well as teachers and lecturers. He emphasized the value of promoting academic exchange programs and strengthening cooperation among prominent research institutes and universities in their respective countries.
The dialogue further highlighted the encouragement of collaborative research projects in key strategic technologies. Areas of focus include artificial intelligence, new materials, and biomedical science, aiming to create innovative solutions that benefit both nations.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to fostering closer coordination at international and regional forums, particularly the United Nations and ASEAN-led mechanisms. This cooperation extends to supporting Vietnam and ASEAN’s principled stance on a secure and free East Vietnam Sea, underlining the importance of resolving disputes via peaceful means as established by the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).