This morning, Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn welcomed General Secretary, President To Lam at Government House in Canberra. A 21-gun salute simultaneously echoed, marking his arrival, TTXVN reported.

The two leaders participated in a flag-raising ceremony before General Secretary, President To Lam reviewed the Australian guard of honor and military band. Afterward, the Australian Governor-General and General Secretary, President To Lam introduced their respective delegations attending the welcoming ceremony.

General Secretary, President To Lam reviews the guard of honor during the welcoming ceremony at Government House in Canberra, Australia, on 11/8. *Photo: TTXVN*

Following the welcoming ceremony, General Secretary, President To Lam held a meeting with the Australian Governor-General, then conducted talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He also witnessed the signing of cooperation documents, met with the press, and held meetings with the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Australia.

General Secretary, President To Lam is on a state visit to Australia from 9-12/8, at the invitation of Governor-General Sam Mostyn. This marks his first visit to Australia in his new capacity, and it is the first visit by a key Vietnamese leader since the two countries elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024.

Vietnam and Australia established diplomatic relations on 26/2/1973, elevating them to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024. Bilateral trade turnover reached USD 14 billion in 2025. In the first 6 months of 2026, bilateral trade turnover hit USD 8,1 billion, an increase of nearly 22% compared to the same period last year.

Australia is currently Vietnam's 7th largest trading partner, and Vietnam is Australia's 10th largest partner.

General Secretary, President To Lam and Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn. *Photo: TTXVN*

Australia is among the largest bilateral partners providing non-refundable Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Vietnam. Since establishing diplomatic relations, Australia has provided Vietnam with over AUD 3 billion (approximately VND 47 trillion) in total aid.

Science, technology, and education are strongly emerging as new drivers of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.

With nearly 25,000 students, Vietnam ranks fourth among the top 5 countries with the most students studying in Australia, following China, India, and Nepal. The Vietnamese community in Australia numbers approximately 375,000 people.

Ngoc Anh