At the meeting in Hanoi on August 20, the two chief diplomats discussed the realisation of the Vietnam – Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the deepening of bilateral relations since the 2024 upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, noting that cooperation is being implemented effectively across all six pillars with tangible results.

The six pillars comprise political and security cooperation; economic, trade, and investment cooperation; education and knowledge cooperation; energy cooperation and climate change response; science and technology cooperation; and regional and international cooperation.

In particular, political relations and exchanges have been maintained effectively, with regular bilateral mechanisms, including the first Senior Officials’ Dialogue between the two Foreign Ministries in August 2025 and the 10th Foreign and Defence Strategic Dialogue also in August 2025.

Son welcomed Australia’s strengthened implementation of its Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 in Vietnam and proposed that both sides push for breakthroughs in science and technology cooperation and innovation, including joint research initiatives.

For her part, Wong expressed Australia’s hope that Vietnam would continue facilitating Australian businesses investing in the country, particularly in high-tech sectors. She also affirmed that Australia would continue to support Vietnam in research and development of new technologies, green technologies, infrastructure for energy transition and digital infrastructure, and capacity building and human resource development through ODA projects and investment.

The two sides discussed economic and trade cooperation, aiming to raise bilateral trade to US$20 billion, double investment, and open markets for products such as Australian plums and Vietnamese passion fruit, while promoting cooperation in Australia’s areas of strength such as climate change, green growth, energy transition, digital transformation, and innovation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Son highly appreciated Australia’s commitment and the increase in its ODA budget, most recently the AUD50 million package for practical initiatives and projects implemented across various sectors in the Mekong subregion.

On regional and international issues, the ministers emphasised the importance of peace, stability, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, by respecting international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They agreed to strengthen coordination at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations and ASEAN, and promote sustainable development in the Mekong subregion.

Wong affirmed that Australia highly values its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN and recognises ASEAN’s central role in the region, pledging to strengthen cooperation for the sustainable development of the Mekong subregion.

On this occasion, the two sides issued a joint press statement on the 7th Vietnam – Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and exchanged diplomatic notes on establishing a Foreign Policy Consultation Mechanism between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong to visit Vietnam this week

VOV.VN - Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong will make an official visit to Vietnam and co-chair the seventh Vietnam-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Hanoi from August 19-21, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.