Senior officials of Vietnamese, Australian ministries of foreign affairs hold first dialogue
At the dialogue, both sides expressed satisfaction with the intensive and extensive development of bilateral relationship since it was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong (L) and Australian Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Michelle Chan (Photo: baoquocte.vn)
Sydney (VNA)ಌ – At the invitation of Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Michelle Chan, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong visited Australia from August 4-7 and co-chaired the first dialogue between senior officials from the two foreign ministries.
At the dialogue, both sides expressed satisfaction with the intensive and extensive development of bilateral relationship since it was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year. They noted with appreciation that cooperation under this upgraded framework has been advancing effectively and comprehensively across all six pillars, with over 100 joint activities completed and nearly 60 ongoing activities on track, yielding tangible results across multiple sectors.
The officials adopted the annual review report of the Action Programme for the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for 2024-2027.
On political and defence-security cooperation, the dialogue highlighted deepening strategic trust. Regular mechanisms, including the Ministerial Security Dialogue in October 2024 and the current Senior Officials’ Dialogue, have fostered greater mutual understanding. Both sides agreed to coordinate preparations for upcoming high-level exchanges, including a foreign ministers’ meeting and a defence policy dialogue.
On the economic front, they welcomed a 2.3% hike in two-way trade to 14.1 billion USD in 2024. Australia has opened its market to Vietnamese passion fruit, while Vietnam has approved the import of Australian plums. Notably, Australia's registered investment in Vietnam exceeded the 3 billion USD mark for the the first time in the first half of this year.
The two countries will effectively realise Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 and the Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES) between Vietnam and Australia, while finalising and signing a Memorandum of Understanding on digital economy.
They also agreed to hold the first ministerial dialogue on energy and minerals, and continue with effective coordination at regional and multilateral economic forums, as well as regional trade agreements to which they are parties, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Vietnam praised Australia’s strong commitment to provide and increase official development assistance (ODA) in recent years. Cuong acknowledged Australia’s practical and impactful initiatives, especially those supporting climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta, and called for continued support for Vietnam’s energy transition in pursuit of net-zero emissions target by 2050.
In sci-tech and innovation, both sides promised to further advance the Australia–Vietnam Innovation Partnership programme (Aus4Innovation). The establishment of the Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technology Centre in June was hailed as a pivotal step. Both sides recognised sci-tech and innovation as promising areas for collaboration, aligning with Vietnam’s Resolution 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in sci-tech, innovation and national digital transformation. They committed to strengthening university and research ties, promoting academic exchanges for students and doctoral researchers, and fostering joint research to drive innovation.
On the occasion, Cuong also held working sessions with leaders from various Australian agencies, localities, scholars, and researchers. Their discussions focused on future directions for the bilateral ties, including enhanced local-level cooperation and deeper collaboration in sci-tech, and education.
He also met with representatives from the Vietnamese Entrepreneurs’ Association, the Vietnam-Australia Scholars & Experts Association, and other members of the Vietnamese community. He listened to their recommendations on how overseas Vietnamese professionals and businesspeople can further contribute to Vietnam’s economic growth, scientific advancement, and innovation ecosystem./.
Given the rapid and complex changes in the global and regional context, Vietnam and Australia agreed to increase the exchange of views, further strengthen cooperation to cope with common challenges, accelerate the implementation of agreements, and explore new areas of cooperation.
Australia will provide an estimated 90 million AUD in official development assistance for Vietnam under the Australia–Vietnam Partnership for Economic Growth (Aus4Growth), with transport infrastructure as a priority area, she said, asking the MoC to provide updates on areas where Australia could provide support, especially in aviation and railway projects.
The Vietnam-Australia Centre was established under the Joint Statement by the Prime Ministers of the two countries during the Australian Prime Minister’s official visit to Vietnam in 2019, and officially began operations in June 2022. It is a strategic initiative aimed at developing leadership capacity, supporting policy development, and promoting bilateral cooperation.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Over the past five decades, the Vietnam - Angola relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
President Luong Cuong called on the two countries to join hands to promote South – South cooperation, contribute to building a fair and equal global political and economic order, safeguard independence and sovereignty, and promote extensive and substantive international solidarity and cooperation.
President Luong Cuong called on the community to remain united, integrate well into local society, adhere to local laws, and continue contributing to both Angola’s development and Vietnam – Angola relations.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Angola Carolina Cerqueira agreed to continue strengthening political trust, boost high-level delegation exchanges via all channels, including the parliamentary one, and create favourable legal conditions for bilateral cooperation.
