Australia’s strengths in the agri-food sector are highly complementary to Vietnam’s development strategy, according to Mr. Chris Morley, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Austrade.

Speaking at a trade and investment networking event in Hanoi on March 20, Mr. Morley emphasized that Australia is internationally recognized for its high-quality, safe, and sustainable food systems, underpinned by rigorous biosecurity management and traceability standards.

“This serves as a foundation for Australia to become a natural partner for Vietnam in the process of enhancing production value chains,” he said.

He further noted that cooperation extends beyond the export of premium food products, offering significant potential in technology transfer, innovation, and long-term investment. These areas are expected to support Vietnam in achieving its goal of developing a modern, eco-friendly, and globally competitive agricultural sector.

The event was a key component of the Australia-Vietnam-Cambodia Trade and Investment Promotion Program, organized by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) from March 16 to 20, 2026, across Cambodia and Vietnam.

This program operates under the framework of the Australia-Southeast Asia Business Exchange (A-SEABX) initiative. The participation of 28 leading Australian agri-food companies underscores the country’s deepening interest in the Vietnamese and broader Southeast Asian markets.

The trade and investment program highlights the increasingly profound cooperation between Vietnam and Australia in the agri-food industry. It also stands as a testament to both nations' shared commitment to building sustainable, innovative, and resilient food systems in the face of global challenges.

Looking ahead, Australia will continue to drive trade and investment relations with Southeast Asia through the A-SEABX initiative, with Vietnam positioned as a key market. The program aims to strengthen business connectivity, promote knowledge exchange, and expand collaboration across multiple sectors—ranging from agri-food to energy, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and the digital economy.

Against the current backdrop, Vietnam is recognized as one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic economies, driven by a rapidly expanding middle class. This demographic shift has fueled a rising demand for high-quality, safe, and transparently sourced food products.

Concurrently, Vietnam’s agricultural sector is undergoing a significant transformation toward modernization, with a strategic focus on increasing value-added production, meeting international standards, and enhancing resilience to climate change.