Vietnamese President To Lam arrived in Sydney on Sunday evening, accompanied by a delegation of more than a dozen ministers, marking a key visit aimed at strengthening ties between Vietnam and Australia. To Lam, who also serves as the general secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party, assumed the presidency earlier this year in April.
This visit is the first to Australia by To Lam since 2016, when he attended as public security minister. During his tenure in that role, he led a high-profile anti-corruption campaign that resulted in the dismissal of thousands of officials, including two former presidents. Since becoming general secretary in 2024, To Lam has initiated significant reforms in Vietnam’s public sector, including reducing the number of ministry-level bodies from a higher number to eight, consolidating provincial administrations from 63 to 34, and cutting over 100,000 government jobs through the abolition of district-level government functions. These changes have raised concerns among analysts about the consolidation of power around To Lam, who is seen as a formidable leader with strong control over Vietnam’s security apparatus.
The timing of the visit comes amid growing economic ties between the two countries. Bilateral trade has more than doubled since 2020, reaching a value of approximately A$30 billion in 2025, positioning Vietnam as one of Australia’s fastest-growing trading partners. Vietnam is a significant purchaser of Australian coal, iron ore, and aluminum, and also a key source of international students. In recent years, Australia has increasingly relied on Vietnam for fuel supplies amid global disruptions to supply chains.
The agenda for discussions between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President To Lam will cover a broad range of topics, including trade, energy security, and relations with China. Following the engagements in Sydney, To Lam is set to visit Canberra, where he will meet with Governor-General Sam Mostyn and Prime Minister Albanese.
Prime Minister Albanese expressed optimism about the visit, highlighting the deep strategic trust and mutual interests that underpin the Australia-Vietnam relationship. He emphasized the shared vision both countries hold for the future stability and prosperity of the region.