During his working trip accompanying Party General Secretary and State President To Lam on a State visit to Australia, Minister of Industry and Trade Le Manh Hung held a bilateral meeting with Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell in Canberra on August 11 (local time), to discuss measures to promote economic and trade relations between the two countries.
Minister of Industry and Trade Le Manh Hung meets with Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell in Canberra on August 11, 2026. Photo: MoIT
The two sides highly appreciated the Viet Nam - Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, upgraded in 2024, as well as the effective operation of the Trade Ministers’ Dialogue, which has provided a solid foundation for advancing bilateral economic and trade cooperation in a more substantive and comprehensive manner.
In the first six months of 2026, two-way trade reached approximately USD 8.2 billion, up 22% year on year, while Viet Nam’s exports to Australia amounted to USD 3.8 billion, an increase of 25.1%. The two sides agreed to continue working towards the target of raising bilateral trade to USD 20 billion in the coming period by making full use of the complementary strengths of the two economies and existing cooperation frameworks, including AANZFTA, CPTPP and RCEP.
The two sides discuss cooperation opportunities in deep processing, high technology, critical minerals, renewable energy and supporting industries. Photo: MoIT
At the meeting, the two ministers focused on measures to further expand trade and investment cooperation. In particular, both sides stressed the need to accelerate market access for agricultural and food products that still face restrictions; promote Australian investment in Viet Nam in such areas as deep processing, high technology, critical minerals, renewable energy and supporting industries; and encourage greater business linkages between the two countries in textiles and garments, leather and footwear, food processing and electronic components.
Minister of Industry and Trade Le Manh Hung and Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell exchange commemorative gifts. Photo: MoIT
The two sides also exchanged views on cooperation opportunities arising from Australia’s housing development program, with a view to creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to participate in supplying construction materials and interior products. In addition, they agreed to strengthen coordination in multilateral cooperation mechanisms and effectively implement free trade agreements to deliver practical benefits to the business communities of both countries.
The meeting took place in a cordial, cooperative and trusting atmosphere, contributing to consolidating the Viet Nam - Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and creating new momentum for bilateral economic and trade cooperation in the coming period.
During his working trip accompanying Party General Secretary and State President To Lam on a State visit to Australia, Minister of Industry and Trade Le Manh Hung held a bilateral meeting with Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell in Canberra on August 11 (local time), to discuss measures to promote economic and trade relations between the two countries.
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