Australia–Vietnam relations
Bilateral relations
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
History
Vietnam War and aftermath
Australia participated in the Vietnam War as part of a United States led-intervention to Vietnam to assist South Vietnam against North Vietnam. Australia committed 50,000 troops in the country, in which 520 were killed. The war had a deep effect on Australian society.[1]
Modern day
At the end of the Cold War and Vietnam's normalisation of foreign relations, Australia soon deepened its relationship with Vietnam. Vietnam is now one of the world's fastest growing economies, and Australia's strategic partner, both being members of CPTPP and a popular destination for Australians, many of whom are former soldiers at the Vietnam War.[2]
The 2001 to 2011 General Secretary, Nông Đức Mạnh, visited Australia in 2009, upgrading their relationship to “comprehensive partnership”. In 2018, to mark the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations, this was upgraded further to a “strategic partnership”.[3]
On 11 August 2026, as part of the broader Australia–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreements, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the Digital Economy, establishing a five-year framework to deepen bilateral cooperation in digital trade, digital transformation, and digital skills.[4] The MoU identifies three priority areas: digital trade and regulation, digital transformation and connectivity, and digital skills, with Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade and Ministry of Science and Technology designated as the lead agencies for implementation.[4]
Diplomatic representatives
Vietnamese ambassadors to Australia
- South Vietnam ambassadors to Australia
- Trần Văn Lắm (1961–1964)
- Nguyễn Văn Hiếu (1964–1966)
- Nghiêm Mỹ (1966–1967, Chargé d'affaires)
- Trần Kim Phượng (1967–1970)
- Đỗ Trọng Chu (1970–1972, Chargé d'affaires)
- Vũ Văn Hiếu (1972–1973, Chargé d'affaires)
- Nguyễn Phương Thiệp (1973–1974)
- Đoàn Bá Cang (1974–1975, until the Fall of Saigon)
