General Secretary and President To Lam addresses the Viet Nam-Australia Techconnect Forum in Sydney, Australia, August 10, 2026. Photo: VNA

The top Vietnamese leader made the suggestion while addressing the Viet Nam-Australia Techconnect Forum held in Sydney, Australia on Monday.

The event was jointly held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Education and Training of Viet Nam, and the University of Technology Sydney on the occasion of General Secretary and President To Lam's State visit to Australia.

To Lam called on the two countries to shift from cooperation to co-creation, from technology transfer to joint research and development, from links among individual organizations to connecting innovation ecosystems.

Both sides should expand joint research programs, enhance partnerships between research centers, universities, innovation business and investment funds; establish joint research networks in such priority areas like artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital technology, biotechnology, quantum technology, clean energy, strategic minerals, and marine economy.

Viet Nam and Australia should step up two-way investment in high-tech industries, formulate joint research and development centers and laboratories, business incubation programs, and commercially viable innovation projects.

The two countries should also work together to develop financial mechanisms to support joint research and share research risks towards co-development and co-investment.

The Vietnamese leader said Viet Nam encourages Australia's high-quality investment in developing green financial products, digital infrastructure, data and innovation centers in Viet Nam. He also sought Australia's technical assistance and experience in developing an international center.

The two countries should also expand cooperation in training high-quality human resources, especially engineers, scientists, technology experts, and innovation managers; step up the exchange of students and postgraduates; and formulate bilateral mechanisms and annual forums for policy dialogue and experience sharing and cooperation among three parties – the State, universities, and enterprises.

At the forum, enterprises from the two countries exchanged a number of cooperation documents.

On the occasion, Vietjet Air announced its plan to open a direct air route from Ho Chi Minh City to Western Sydney International Airport from January 2027.