Vietnam and Australia are stepping up cooperation in key technologies, 5G, AI, and the digital economy.

At the Vietnam-Australia Tech-Connect Forum 2026, the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in key and emerging technology sectors, expand joint research, connect innovation ecosystems, and promote the transformation of research results into practical, commercially valuable applications.

During the State visit to Australia on 9 ~ 12 August by General Secretary and President To Lam , the leaders of Vietnam and Australia issued a Joint Statement on strengthening scientific, technological and innovation connectivity between the two countries.

According to the Joint Statement, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation on science, technology, and innovation on the basis of the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Cooperation in science, technology, and innovation

The leaders of the two countries assessed that cooperation in science, technology, and innovation has made substantial progress in recent times, contributing to making this field one of the pillars of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Based on their complementary strengths and significant cooperation potential, both sides agreed to consider science, technology, and innovation as crucial drivers for sustainable economic growth, enhancing productivity, resilience, and competitiveness, while contributing to addressing common challenges and laying the foundation for long-term prosperity.

One of the key focuses identified is to strengthen cooperation in key and emerging technology areas, aligned with the priorities, strengths, and capabilities of each country. Both sides will seek opportunities to expand joint research, enhance linkages between innovation ecosystems, and implement new collaborative initiatives.

The leaders of both countries welcomed the Vietnam-Australia Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Initiative (AVSTICI), which facilitates joint research projects involving universities, research institutes, and businesses from both countries.

Phase II of the Vietnam-Australia Strategic Technology Centre (AVSTC)

Both sides also welcomed the launch of Phase II of the Vietnam-Australia Strategic Technology Centre (AVSTC), considering it a model partnership to promote cooperation in key and emerging technologies. Initially, the Centre will focus on breakthrough applications of 5G technology and related foundational technologies.

Cooperation on artificial intelligence continues to be promoted through the development of Guidelines on the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence within the framework of the bilateral development partnership.

Both sides acknowledged the effectiveness of cooperation programs in strengthening digital capacity, applying digital solutions in agriculture, enhancing resilience to climate change, and promoting sustainable development.

In the field of digital economy, Vietnamese and Australian leaders welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Digital Economy, contributing to promoting the digital transformation of both economies. Both sides also noted positive progress in the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Cyberspace and Critical Technologies.

The joint statement particularly emphasized the role of collaboration between the government, academia, and the business sector in putting research findings into practice.

Leaders of both countries assessed that cooperation between Vietnamese and Australian universities, research institutes, and businesses is developing strongly, contributing to promoting scientific research, technological innovation, and the commercialization of research results.

Both sides encouraged further strengthening of the linkages between the government, research institutions, and the business sector to shorten the process of transforming research results into practical, commercially valuable applications; and acknowledged the role of the startup ecosystem in promoting innovation.

Tech Connect Forum

Both sides welcomed the Tech Connect Forum, which brings together representatives from leading agencies, organizations, and businesses from both countries in the fields of science and technology, education and human resource development, business, and investment, following the model that Vietnam calls the “Three Houses” (referring to the Three Parties, the Government, and the State).

According to the Joint Statement, initiatives like Tech Connect contribute to fostering new partnerships and investment opportunities by strengthening connections between stakeholders in the innovation ecosystems of both countries.

Developing human resources in science and technology continues to be a key focus of cooperation. Vietnam welcomes Australia’s continued scholarship programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), supporting Vietnam in improving the quality of its human resources, aiming to become a regional center for science, technology, and innovation.

The leaders of both countries also highly appreciated the increasing number of Vietnamese and Australian universities establishing cooperative relationships, thereby promoting scientific research, technological development, and improving human resource capacity.

Both sides acknowledged the expansion of cooperation in doctoral training within the framework of Vietnam’s Project 89, contributing to enhancing research capacity and strengthening connections between higher education institutions and research organizations in the two countries.

Vietnamese and Australian leaders instructed relevant agencies to continue implementing cooperation contents in line with the Joint Statement, thereby promoting science, technology, and innovation to increasingly become an important pillar in the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Original article in Vietnamese here