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Lam and Albanese deals
Vietnamese President To Lam and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met in Canberra on Aug 11 and agreed to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership, with cooperation spanning defence, agriculture and border security.
“agreed on Tuesday to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership”
Reuters said the leaders signed cooperation agreements and voiced concern about restrictive trade practices that disrupt global supply chains, while also agreeing to strengthen cooperation on supply chains in areas including critical minerals, semiconductors and clean energy.
The Straits Times reported Lam told reporters they were seeking “ever more expansive space for cooperation” at a joint press conference in Canberra.
The Straits Times also said Lam arrived on Aug 9 and was due to travel to New Zealand on Aug 12, as the visit expanded cooperation on maritime security and disaster relief and explored technology and e-commerce opportunities.
Hedge against China
The Straits Times framed the deepening ties as a hedge against China, quoting Vietnam expert Huong Le Thu saying both countries are looking to work together as they “hedge” against their anxieties about China’s military clout.
In contrast, Global Times said some media outlets framed the expanded cooperation as a joint effort to counter Beijing, while a Chinese expert argued such narratives repackage normal bilateral engagement through the lens of the so-called "China threat" narrative while disregarding Vietnam's strategic autonomy.
Global Times also quoted the joint statement’s South China Sea language, saying leaders expressed concern about the situation in the South China Sea and re-emphasized the importance of upholding peace, security, stability, freedom of navigation and overflight.
Reuters reported that Australia regularly deploys naval vessels and surveillance aircraft in the South China Sea as part of its Indo-Pacific operations, and noted that in April Australia joined Canada and the United States in a multilateral transit through the waterway.
Supply chains and security
Beyond defence and maritime law enforcement, Reuters said the leaders witnessed an exchange of a memorandum of understanding between the Vietnam Coast Guard and the Australian Border Force to cooperate on maritime law enforcement, and another to enhance cooperation and mutual assistance between border forces.
“memorandum of understanding between the Vietnam Coast Guard and the Australian Border Force”
The Straits Times reported two-way trade rose from A$14.6 billion (S$13.2 billion) in 2020 to more than A$30 billion in 2025, and said Lam and Albanese agreed to a new deal to address disruptions to supply chains, especially to supplies of critical minerals, clean energy and superconductors.
Global Times said the joint statement outcomes included memorandums of understanding on cooperation and the resumption of market access for Australian kangaroo and deer meat in Vietnam, while also listing cooperation areas including defence, maritime and border security, agriculture, energy and minerals.
Anadolu Ajansı reported the leaders reaffirmed a commitment to a “peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific” that is free from coercion and where sovereignty is respected, and said they expressed concern over developments in the South China Sea while stressing freedom of navigation and overflight and peaceful resolution of disputes.