Vietnam - One of Australia’s most important bilateral partners: Australian Ambassador

Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski speaks at the National Conference on “Developing Science and Technology Market” chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, 23rd September 2022. (Photo: Australian Embassy Hanoi)

Could you please let us know where Vietnam is in Australia's foreign policy?

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, Australia and Vietnam have built a strong and enduring relationship that covers a diverse and growing range of interests. Our bilateral relations continue to go from strength to strength, and today Vietnam is regarded as one of Australia’s most important bilateral partners.

Over recent years, cooperation between our two nations has expanded rapidly, and despite the difficulties imposed by COVID-19, we have continued to witness strong momentum across the breadth of our bilateral relationship. Australia’s economic relationship with Vietnam is dynamic and growing and underpins our strategic partnership. In 2022, Australia became Vietnam’s 10th largest trading partner, and we are strongly committed to further boosting trade and investment opportunities for both countries.

Underlying the rapid growth in Australia’s relationship with Vietnam has been our converging views on the regional strategic environment. Australia views Vietnam as an increasingly likeminded partner on regional security issues, and one with whom we can work closely to help shape an open, secure and resilient region. Australian and Vietnamese officials frequently exchange views on regional and global security and strategic issues, and how we can work together to help promote a secure and resilient region.

While our security and defence cooperation has grown rapidly over recent years, there is still much more we can do together to address growing regional challenges, including on climate change, and cyber and maritime security.

As we prepare to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, the outlook for our bilateral relationship is extremely positive. The recent announcement by Australian Prime Minister Antony Albanese and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on the intention to upgrade our bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) was indicative of the increasing importance of both nations to one another and the high level of trust and respect in our relationship.

Once agreed upon, the CSP will reflect the strategic and comprehensive nature of our relationship and position us well to continue deepening our bilateral cooperation to take advantage of new opportunities, and to meet emerging challenges.

In 2018, Vietnam - Australia signed an agreement to elevate the relationship to a strategic partnership, focusing on three main pillars: economic cooperation; knowledge exchange, education and innovation programs; strategic cooperation and security. Could you share more about these 3 pillars of cooperation?

In 2018, Australia and Vietnam elevated our relationship to a strategic partnership - a significant milestone. The strategic partnership provides the structural basis for advancing the bilateral relationship and focuses on three priority areas: enhancing economic engagement; deepening strategic, defence and security cooperation; and building knowledge and innovation partnerships.

A key focus under the economic engagement pillar is on implementation of the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy that was agreed by our leaders in December 2021, and which aims to make Australia and Vietnam top ten trade partners and double bilateral investment.

The Strategy identifies opportunities for, and current barriers to, further growth in trade and investment, and will include practical cooperation that each country will undertake to expand our trade and investment relationship.

We are already making large strides forward in our economic relationship under the EEES, but there remains significant potential to unlock new opportunities to grow our highly complementary economic partnership into the future.

Under the strategic, defence and security pillar, Australia and Vietnam have committed to a range of actions to help preserve and promote our shared interests in a rules-based order and adherence to international law and norms.

We have continued to exchange views and ideas on the regional strategic environment, and enhanced defence and security cooperation through various dialogue mechanisms, as well as increased the scope and complexity of bilateral defence activities. We have also deepened cooperation in ASEAN-led mechanisms and other forums to promote outcomes which enhance the security, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.

According to Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski, Vietnam is regarded as one of Australia’s most important bilateral partners. (Photo: VTC News)

Finally, through the knowledge and innovation partnerships pillar, Australia and Vietnam have deepened knowledge and innovation collaboration to ensure both countries can seize the opportunities available from advanced technology and innovation, and digital opportunities of the future.

We are promoting people-to-people and institutional links including between our public services, businesses and research and academic institutions, fostering collaboration and joint projects, and jointly convening research and scientific conferences, seminars and workshops on topics of mutual interest.

Recently, many Vietnamese vegetables, fruits and agricultural products have been in the Australian market. Also, many Australian products are being well received by Vietnamese consumers. What do you think about the potential and prospects of cooperation between the two countries in this field in the near future?

The prospect of agriculture and food cooperation between Australia and Vietnam remains strong. In terms of trade, Australia exported to Vietnam 2.36 billion AUD of food and beverage in the first 10 months of 2022, an increase of 8.6% year-over-year.

During the same period, Australia imported from Vietnam 928.4 million AUD of food and beverage, registering a 50.5% year-over-year growth. Australia provides Vietnam with diverse premium quality products such as grain, meat, seafood, dairy products, wine and fresh produce. Vietnam supplies Australia with seafood, cashew nuts, coffee, rice, and an increasing range fruits.

In terms of investment, SunRice (Australia) has a rice processing mill in Dong Thap Province, securing rice supply for its markets. Vietnamese companies are also active investors in Australia. In 2020, TH Group invested 130 million AUD in cattle stations in northern Australia. An Vien Group committed 18 million AUD in a cattle station in the Northern Territory in 2016.

There are opportunities for Australia to increase its agricultural exports to Vietnam. In 2021, Vietnam imported 28,23 billion USD of food and beverage but only 2,11 billion USD of this came from Australia. Australia’s expanding agribusiness and food sector provides opportunities for Vietnamese investors to increase food and fibre production, as well as develop downstream processing industries. Australia’s advanced agritech sector can also assist Vietnam’s agriculture with new technologies and innovations.

After the series of "Taste of Australia" events in December 2022, what plan does the Embassy have in 2023 to continue to introduce more Australian products to the Vietnamese market?

In addition to planned "Taste of Australia" campaign that promotes Australian food and beverage through online and offline channels in May 2023, the Australian Embassy and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) will deliver a "Regional Roadshow" connecting Australian meat, wine, seafood, dairy and horticulture producers to the increasing hospitality opportunities in Hoi An, Da Nang, Can Tho and Nha Trang as well as in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski at ACIAR’s Annual Stakeholder Meeting 2022: Towards Inclusive Agribusiness, 18 November 2022. (Photo: Australian Embassy Hanoi)

Additionally, the "Taste the Wonders of Australia" and the "Sustainable Fibre & Fashion"-Vietnam International Fashion Festival in 2023 are exciting programs that coincide with the 50 th anniversary of Australia-Vietnam relations. The "Taste the Wonders of Australia" program will drive awareness of Australia’s food and wine products as high quality, high standards and sustainable. It will be led by five Australian industry bodies, with the support of Austrade.

With the "Sustainable Fibre and Fashion" Program, Austrade will leverage both Vietnam International Fashion Weeks in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to promote cotton and wool. Together with Woolmark and Cotton Australia, Austrade will deliver seminars on Australia’s sustainable fibre value chain in wool and cotton. Austrade will also support various exhibitions in 2023 such as Food Hotel Vietnam, Food Hotel Australia, HOFEX, VinExpo and Fine Food Australia.

2023 will be a particularly meaningful year for Vietnam and Australia as the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Could you share the plans this year to further deepen bilateral relations?

The 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Vietnam is a significant milestone in our two nations’ history. It will support our joint desire to continue to work, learn and flourish together through a year-long campaign focussing on all aspects of the Australia - Vietnam partnership, from education, agriculture, trade and investment and tourism to climate cooperation, skills, innovation and equality.

We are still confirming our full program of events for the year, but we are planning a range of exciting activities that celebrate our indigenous cultures, our love of sport, world-class food and beverages, and dynamic and innovative societies. We will release more details after Tet.

At the same time we will continue to focus on our existing priority areas, including trade and investment, education and peacekeeping, while also deepening our cooperation on new and emerging challenges, such as climate change and energy transition and digital transformation.