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Vietnam’s General Secretary and State President, To Lam, along with a senior Vietnamese delegation, arrived at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport on Sunday evening (local time), marking the start of a four-day official visit to Australia, hosted by Governor-General Sam Mostyn.

The Vietnamese leader and his group were welcomed at the airport by Australian authorities, as well as officials from the Vietnamese Embassy, Consulates General, and other Vietnamese diplomatic offices in Australia.

Vietnam and Australia began their diplomatic ties on February 26, 1973, and have since developed a robust and long-lasting partnership with expanding and varied interests. Vietnam is now seen as one of Australia’s key bilateral allies.

The two nations conduct frequent high-level meetings and interactions, along with numerous bilateral cooperation frameworks, while maintaining close coordination within ASEAN, APEC, and the United Nations. Two-way trade now surpasses US$14 billion, with science, technology, and innovation beginning to serve as new foundations for their relationship.

Over 35,000 Vietnamese students are currently enrolled in Australian institutions, while a Vietnamese population exceeding 350,000, along with connections among scholars and professionals, acts as a solid link between the two countries.

Australia also plays a significant role in providing official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam, aiding in infrastructure growth, digital advancement, addressing climate change, and promoting a sustainable transition, while increasing the training of Vietnamese officials via the Vietnam-Australia Center at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics.

Australia is the sole nation that has aided Vietnam in moving field hospitals and offered English language and military medical instruction, enhancing Vietnam’s ability to engage in UN peacekeeping missions.

The journey holds special importance as it marks General Secretary and President To Lam’s initial visit to Australia in his current role, as well as the first visit from a prominent Vietnamese leader since the two nations upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024.

It highlights the significance Vietnam places on Australia as a crucial ally in the Indo-Pacific region and reflects the Southeast Asian country’s commitment to strengthening the new partnership framework in a meaningful and efficient way.