Vietnam, Australia convene 7th Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Hanoi
The seventh Vietnam-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM-7) took place in Hanoi on August 20, reviewing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussing global and regional issues of mutual concern.
At the talks between Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong in Hanoi on August 20, 2025 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) 𝐆- Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong co-chaired the seventh Vietnam-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM-7) in Hanoi on August 20, reviewing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussing global and regional issues of mutual concern.
Both sides expressed delight at the extensive growth of the bilateral relationship since it was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They noted concrete progress across six pillars, driven by robust political ties, with effective all-level visits, regular exchanges, and maintained bilateral cooperation mechanisms. These include the first Senior Officials’ Dialogue between the two foreign ministries in August 2025 and the 10th Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue (2+2) held the same month.
Building on encouraging results such as recent market openings (Australia allowing imports of Vietnamese passion fruit and Vietnam accepting Australian plums), and a 2.3% rise in bilateral trade in 2024, the two ministers promised to boost trade and investment ties, reaffirming a shared goal of lifting two-way trade to 20 billion USD and doubling investment under the Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES).
Deputy PM Son welcomed Australia’s rollout of its Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 in Vietnam, and urged breakthroughs in sci-tech and innovation cooperation, including joint studies.
He praised Australia’s increased ODA commitment, including a 50 million AUD package for practical initiatives and projects across the Mekong sub-region.
Wong expressed a hope for Vietnam to continue facilitating Australian business activities, especially in hi-tech. She proposed expanding collaboration in areas of Australia’s strength, like climate change, green growth, energy transition, digital transformation and innovation. She pledged that Australia would continue to support Vietnam in developing new and green technologies, energy and digital infrastructure, alongside human capital training through official development assistance (ODA) and investment.
On global and regional issues of shared concern, the two sides pledged to step up coordination for the sake of regional peace, stability and cooperation. They committed to closer collaboration and mutual support at multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations and ASEAN.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) and Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong (Photo: VNA)
Wong stressed that Australia values its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN and supports the bloc’s central role in regional affairs. She also reaffirmed Canberra’s commitment to cooperation in advancing sustainable development in the Mekong sub-region.
On the East Sea issue, both sides underlined the importance of maintaining peace, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight, and respecting international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
They agreed to issue a joint press statement on the meeting’s outcomes and exchange diplomatic notes to establish a policy consultation mechanism between the two foreign ministries.
In the afternoon the same day, both officials toured the Vietnam National Museum of History in Hanoi./.
Vietnam and Australia are stepping up cooperation across trade, investment, and education, with new initiatives to connect localities and businesses from both sides.
Chien reaffirmed Vietnam’s stance on the settlement of disputes through peaceful measures in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and early finalisation of a substantive, effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
Given the rapid and complex changes in the global and regional context, Vietnam and Australia agreed to increase the exchange of views, further strengthen cooperation to cope with common challenges, accelerate the implementation of agreements, and explore new areas of cooperation.
Vietnam will continue assisting Timor-Leste in effectively participating in ASEAN’s activities and keeping pace with the bloc’s development, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse met with staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Malaysia on September 16 as part of his official trip to the country.
Conditions must be in place so that equipment, infrastructure, and facilities serving the congress can be put into trial operation on November 15, said Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu.
Vietnam will continue to actively support Timor-Leste in effectively participating in and actively contributing to the ASEAN Community, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung affirmed on September 16.
Russia attaches importance to advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, identifying Vietnam as one of its leading partners in the region, said Nikolai Patrushev, Aide to the President of Russia and Chairman of the Maritime Board.
Lifelong learning must be seen not only as an individual need but also as the key to raising intellectual standards, building human resources, and driving innovation and breakthroughs for rapid and sustainable socio-economic development, helping every citizen become a useful member of society.
Deputy PM Mai Van Chinh urged the two sides to highly prioritise railway cooperation, effectively utilise the Vietnam – China Joint Railway Cooperation Committee, and ensure the groundbreaking of the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway project in 2025.
Party General Secretary To Lam called for Russia's support in helping Vietnam manage and sustainably utilise its maritime space in a way that aligns with each country’s interests and contributes to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong has offered congratulations to his Mexican counterpart Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo on the 215th Independence Day of Mexico (September 16, 1810–2025).
The visit is a step to implement the Vietnam-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, thereby fostering cooperation in all fields in a more substantive and effective manner.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the country’s new growth drivers stem from the organic linkages among the resolutions, explaining that international integration opens the door to the world, while stable and green energy is a prerequisite for production, schools, and hospitals. He added that high-quality education and training will supply engineers, doctors, and public service managers. A modern health system with strong preventive foundations will keep people healthy so they can study, work, and innovate.
The Politburo’s Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW on international integration in the new context marks an important milestone in Vietnam’s integration journey, reaffirming that global engagement is a strategic engine driving the nation into a new era, stated Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung while addressing a national conference on September 16 to implement key Politburo’s resolution, including Resolution 59.
Building on the Politburo’s Resolution No. 55-NQ/TW dated February 11, 2020, the new resolution defines energy security as a core pillar of national security that is directly linked to political stability, economic growth, national defence and global integration, Nghi said.
All preparations for the unit, comprising 169 officers and soldiers, have been completed, and the personnel are ready to embark on their mission on September 26.
Minister of Public Security Gen. Luong Tam Quang hosted a reception in Hanoi on September 16 for Nikolai Patrushev, Aide to the President of Russia and Chairman of the Maritime Board.
The top legislator’s attendance at AIPA-46 is made at the invitation of Speaker of the Malaysian House of Representatives Dato' Johari Bin Abdul, who is also AIPA-46 President, while his official visit is made at the invitation of President of the Malaysian Senate Dato’ Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah.
The PM highlighted focal points in the scheme - institutions and policies; management and governance; investment resources with a target of 5% of total public investment for education and 3% for higher education; teacher and talent development; student support; autonomy and innovation in educational institutions; and digital and foreign language capacity.
The Vietnamese community in Japan, now nearly 700,000 strong and the second-largest foreign community in the country, has not only integrated well into the host society but also actively maintained its cultural identity, language and traditions.
