The Chief Minister is leading the ACT Government’s first dedicated trade mission to Vietnam this week, strengthening Canberra’s engagement with one of the fastest-growing economies in our region and a priority market under Canberra’s International Engagement Strategy.
The mission also supports the Australia-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which prioritises economic engagement, education, innovation, climate action, energy transition and people-to-people links.
Reflecting the Chief Minister’s responsibilities for economic development, trade and tourism, the mission is focused on creating new opportunities for Canberra in international education, investment, tourism and business engagement.
International education will be a central focus. Education is Canberra’s largest export. The ACT’s education and research sector contributes more than $3.3 billion annually to the Territory economy and supports around 20,000 jobs. Vietnam is one of Australia’s largest international student markets, with more than 32,000 Vietnamese students studying in Australia.
Canberra’s schools, colleges, universities and the Canberra Institute of Technology are well placed to attract more Vietnamese students seeking high-quality education, strong employment outcomes and direct access to Australia’s national institutions.
The mission will support new partnerships between Canberra and Vietnamese universities, schools and research organisations, strengthen student recruitment pathways, grow alumni engagement and expand collaboration in areas where Canberra has internationally recognised expertise, including public policy, cyber security, sustainability, health, digital technologies and urban planning. The Government will also promote Canberra as a destination for transnational education, research collaboration and future workforce development.
Tourism and aviation opportunities will also be a key focus. Working alongside VisitCanberra, Tourism Australia and industry partners, the Chief Minister will strengthen relationships with Vietnamese travel agents, tour operators and aviation stakeholders. Meetings are scheduled with Vietnam’s leading tourism organisations to promote Canberra and the region as a destination for leisure travel, educational tourism, business events and visiting friends and relatives.
Vietnam’s rapidly expanding middle class and growing outbound travel market represent a significant opportunity for Canberra’s visitor economy. The mission will support stronger inbound tourism partnerships, increase the inclusion of Canberra in Vietnamese travel programs, and strengthen the case for additional international flights through Canberra Airport.
The mission will also highlight Canberra’s leadership in sustainability and the net-zero economy. The ACT was the first Australian jurisdiction to achieve 100 per cent renewable electricity and has legislated a pathway to net zero emissions by 2045. Canberra’s expertise in renewable energy, climate policy, battery storage, circular economy initiatives and sustainable urban development aligns closely with Vietnam’s increasing focus on clean energy and climate resilience.
The Chief Minister will participate in a sustainability and green economy roundtable in Hanoi and visit the Green Power Tower development in Ho Chi Minh City. These engagements will promote Canberra’s growing clean technology ecosystem and research capability, and support opportunities for future collaboration in renewable energy, battery storage, sustainable urban development, green building design and climate policy.
Business receptions in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will bring together Australian and Vietnamese business leaders, alumni, researchers and industry representatives to build new commercial partnerships, deepen existing connections and strengthen engagement between Canberra’s institutions and Vietnam’s rapidly growing private sector. The program also includes engagement with Vingroup, one of Vietnam’s largest companies, including visits to VinUniversity and Vinhomes developments, to explore opportunities in education, research, innovation and sustainable city development.
The mission is supported by Austrade, Tourism Australia and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and builds on the strong trade framework provided by the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area, which continue to reduce barriers to trade, investment and services between Australia and Vietnam. Australia and Vietnam recorded bilateral trade worth more than A$21 billion annually, highlighting the growing importance of the relationship and the opportunities for further economic cooperation.
The cost of the Chief Minister’s participation is approximately $14,000. This is met from within the existing ACT Executive budget. The final cost will be reported as part of the regular quarterly ministerial travel reports.
Quotes attributable to ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr
“Vietnam is a priority market for Canberra and one of the most dynamic economies in our region.
“Many Vietnamese graduates of Canberra institutions now hold leadership positions in government, business, education and research. Those alumni networks are incredibly valuable for our city.
“We want more Vietnamese students to choose Canberra’s schools, colleges and universities and to become lifelong ambassadors for Canberra.
“We also want to attract more visitors, strengthen research and innovation partnerships, deepen sustainability cooperation and create new opportunities for Canberra businesses.
“This will support jobs, economic diversification and long-term prosperity for Canberrans.”
