Unlocking Resources, Strengthening Vietnam-Australia Business Connectivity

Within the framework of a recent working session in Hanoi, Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), met with Francis Wong, Chairman of the Australia-ASEAN Business Forum. The two sides held in-depth discussions on initiatives to advance business connectivity, with a focus on the “Meet Australia” program, scheduled to take place in Vietnam in May 2026.

At the meeting, Francis Wong shared reflections on more than 30 years of engagement with Australia and sustained efforts to advance trade cooperation between Australia and the ASEAN region. Diplomatic relations and bilateral cooperation between Australia and Vietnam are in a phase of positive development, providing a solid foundation for economic cooperation.

However, he also assessed that private-sector connectivity and investment between the two sides have yet to fully reflect the potential, indicating considerable scope for business connectivity initiatives to be pursued in a more robust and practical manner in the period ahead.

To translate cooperation opportunities into action, Francis Wong said that the Australia-ASEAN Business Forum is working closely with the Embassy of Vietnam in Australia to implement the “Meet Australia” program. Under the plan, in May 2026, a business delegation comprising approximately 150-200 leading Australian enterprises will visit Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to survey the market, seek partners, and discuss specific investment opportunities.
Identified as a flagship event, the program will focus on five priority sectors aligned with Vietnam’s sustainable development orientation, including: renewable energy and the green economy; education and vocational training; agriculture and food security; digital transformation; and infrastructure investment, including logistics.

“Vietnam is among the most dynamic economies in ASEAN, with decisive government leadership. We seek to bring Australia’s business ‘champions’ to Vietnam to engage directly on concrete and long-term investment projects,” Francis Wong said.
Aligning with the proposals from the Australian side, VCCI Vice President Nguyen Quang Vinh affirmed that VCCI fully supported the initiative and was ready to work alongside the Australia-ASEAN Business Forum to organize upcoming business connectivity activities.

Drawing on its extensive network and experience in coordinating international business cooperation mechanisms such as the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC) and the APEC Business Advisory Council (APEC BAC), VCCI will mobilize its branches in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi for close coordination. Specifically, VCCI will support the sharing of business databases, organize business matching sessions, and invite suitable Vietnamese experts and business leaders to participate in the program.

In addition, he added that Vietnam will host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2027, viewing this as an important opportunity to advance multilateral cooperation, including broader participation by the Australian business community in Vietnam and the region.

Cooperation between VCCI and the Australia-ASEAN Business Forum is expected to enable enterprises from both countries to find common ground in a highly promising ASEAN market. At the same time, this cooperation will serve as an important precursor to a new wave of Australian investment into Vietnam, particularly in high-technology sectors, the green economy, and sustainable development.

H. Ly (Vietnam Business Forum)