Foreign relations exist between Australia and Vietnam. Australia has an embassy in Hanoi and a consulate in Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam has an embassy in Canberra.
History
While their first contact dated at 19th century as the British Empire was paying attention on colonizing countries in Asia, subsequent French colonization of Vietnam denied formal contact between Vietnam and Australia. Until the end of World War II, relations between Australia and Vietnam were almost non-existent.
Vietnam War and aftermath
Australia participated in the Vietnam War as part of a United States led-intervention to Vietnam to assist South Vietnam against North Vietnam. Australia committed 50,000 troops in the country, in which 520 were killed. The war had a deep effect on Australian society.
Modern days
At the end of Cold War and Vietnam's normalisation of foreign relations, Australia soon deepened it's relationship with Vietnam. Vietnam is now one of the world's fastest growing economies, and Australia's strategic partner, both being members of CPTPP and a popular destination for Australians, many of whom are former soldiers at the Vietnam War.
The 2001 to 2011 General Secretary, Nông Đức Mạnh, visited Australia in 2009, upgrading their relationship to “comprehensive partnership”. In 2018, to mark the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations, this was upgraded further to a “strategic partnership”.
Diplomatic representatives
Vietnamese ambassadors to Australia
South Vietnam ambassadors to Australia
Trần Văn Lắm (1961–1964) Nguyễn Văn Hiếu (1964–1966) Nghiêm Mỹ (1966–1967, Chargé d'affaires) Trần Kim Phượng (1967–1970) Đỗ Trọng Chu (1970–1972, Chargé d'affaires) Vũ Văn Hiếu (1972–1973, Chargé d'affaires) Nguyễn Phương Thiệp (1973–1974) Đoàn Bá Cang (1974–1975, until the Fall of Saigon)