Canberra, August 11, 2026 – The Europe Today: General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, leading a high-level Vietnamese delegation, has arrived in Canberra as part of his state visit to Australia, marking a significant milestone in the expanding strategic relationship between the two countries.
To Lam was welcomed at Canberra Airport by Australian officials, including representatives of Governor-General Sam Mostyn and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, as well as Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird. Vietnamese diplomatic officials and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Australia also attended the reception.
The visit is the first state visit to Australia by a Vietnamese leader holding both the positions of Party General Secretary and President, underscoring Hanoi’s importance attached to its relationship with Canberra. It follows the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024, after which cooperation has expanded across political, economic, educational, technological and strategic fields.
A key objective of the visit is to consolidate political trust at the highest level and establish new priorities for implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two sides are expected to explore opportunities to deepen cooperation in areas including trade and investment, education and training, science and technology, digital transformation, energy, agriculture, healthcare and human-resource development.
The visit also carries an important economic dimension. Vietnam is seeking to accelerate economic modernization and technological development, while Australia has significant expertise and resources in areas such as critical minerals, energy and advanced education. Cooperation in these sectors could provide new opportunities for both countries as they seek to diversify supply chains and strengthen economic resilience.
During his Australia visit, To Lam is also scheduled to engage with Vietnamese intellectuals and scientists working in Australia and attend a Tech Connect forum focusing on science, technology and innovation, as well as education, training and human-resource development.
The high-level visit comes amid growing bilateral economic ties. Vietnam and Australia have increasingly expanded cooperation in trade, education, energy and investment, while both countries share an interest in strengthening stability, cooperation and resilience in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Canberra leg is therefore expected to provide fresh momentum to the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and further broaden the foundations of Vietnam-Australia relations.
Following his engagements in Australia, To Lam is scheduled to continue his regional diplomacy with a state visit to New Zealand, reflecting Vietnam’s broader effort to strengthen partnerships with countries across the Indo-Pacific.
