Vietnam’s Top Leader To Lam to Pay State Visits to Australia and New Zealand
The visits are likely to build on the momentum created by the Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships signed recently with both countries.
Vietnam's President To Lam is set to embark on state visits to Australia and New Zealand next week. The country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Lam, who serves as general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), will travel to both nations from August 9 to 14. The trip, which has been rumored for weeks, was confirmed by the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's office.
Albanese stated that Lam would be in Australia from August 9-12 and meet with him on August 11 to discuss opportunities to deepen cooperation. Australia and Vietnam established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024, raising Australia to the highest tier of Vietnam's diplomatic hierarchy and pledging to develop various aspects of their relationship, including defense and security, trade, education, energy cooperation, and digital transformation.
Lam's visit to Australia is expected to consolidate political trust and provide fresh momentum for the partnership. Additionally, Vietnam and New Zealand will likely sign agreements covering areas such as food and fiber, education, tourism, technology, aviation, and investment. Both nations established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024, reflecting high ambition and trust between their countries.
Vietnam's relationships with Australia and New Zealand have been strengthened by shared concerns about China's growing maritime influence. However, Hanoi maintains a strong relationship with Beijing and has pursued an omnivorous foreign policy approach to balance its relations with both China and the U.S.
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