General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam received Australia’s Special Envoy for Southeast Asia, Mr. Nicholas Moore, in Sydney on August 10, as part of his ongoing state visit to Australia..

During the meeting, Mr. Moore discussed opportunities to enhance cooperation with Vietnam in implementing Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. This includes expanding two-way trade and investment, as well as strengthening connections between businesses and investors in Vietnam’s priority sectors.

Highlighting the positive results of bilateral trade, Mr. Moore emphasized the need to aim for even greater scale and trade value. He noted that recently signed cooperation agreements in aviation and other sectors will enhance connectivity and provide further momentum for trade and investment.

According to the Special Envoy, many investors are drawn to Vietnam by its dynamic market, clear development goals, and strong aspirations for growth. Furthermore, the Vietnamese community and student population in Australia serve as a vital resource for promoting innovation and startups.

General Secretary and President To Lam expressed his desire for Vietnam to remain a central partner for Australia in the implementation of the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.

Affirming that Vietnam considers Australia one of its top priority partners in the Indo-Pacific region, the Vietnamese leader stated that bilateral relations are entering a period of new opportunities. He emphasized that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership must be advanced substantively and effectively, with a focus not only on expanding trade and investment but also on co-creating new growth drivers.

He noted that Vietnam aims to become a high-income nation by 2045, with development driven by science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, and private sector growth.

With a stable investment environment, a young workforce, a strategic position in global supply chains, and a growing market, Vietnam is well-positioned to be a priority destination for Australian firms. The country prioritizes projects featuring advanced technology, modern management, and high value-added, which facilitate technology transfer, human resource training, and stronger integration with domestic enterprises.

He proposed that bilateral cooperation shift toward long-term programs in innovation, science and technology, human resource development, green finance, high-quality infrastructure, strategic supply chains, education, and research.