Australia and Vietnam have agreed to enhance their comprehensive strategic partnership by signing multiple cooperation agreements on defense, agriculture, and border security.
The two countries also expressed concern over restrictive trade practices that are disrupting global supply chains, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Vietnamese President To Lam said in a joint statement issued during Lam’s official visit to Australia.
The leaders agreed to deepen cooperation on supply chains involving critical minerals, semiconductors and clean energy, according to the statement.
During the visit, the leaders witnessed the exchange of a memorandum of understanding between the Vietnam Coast Guard and the Australian Border Force aimed at enhancing cooperation in maritime law enforcement.
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A separate agreement was also signed to strengthen cooperation and mutual assistance between the border forces of both countries, the Vietnamese government said.
“We agree that, amid rapid and complex developments around the world, countries need to strengthen dialogue, build trust, ensure security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight, and settle disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law,” Lam said in a joint media appearance with Albanese.
Australia regularly deploys naval vessels and surveillance aircraft in the South China Sea as part of its Indo-Pacific operations. In April, Australia joined Canada and the United States in a multilateral transit through the waterway, where Vietnam, China and several other countries have overlapping territorial claims.
Bilateral trade between Australia and Vietnam increased 22% year-on-year during the first half of 2026, reaching $8.1 billion, the joint statement said.
Vietnam’s major exports to Australia include electronics, smartphones and garments, while its imports from Australia include coal, minerals and natural gas.
