Australian digital health companies are set for increased access to Vietnam under a new digital economy agreement between the two countries, with plans to expand cooperation in AI, biotechnology, digital infrastructure and joint research.
The agreement was signed during Vietnamese General Secretary and President Tô Lâm’s state visit to Australia and is aimed at supporting cross-border digital trade and e-commerce, with the federal government specifically identifying digital health as an opportunity for Australian businesses.
Australia and Vietnam have also agreed to strengthen broader health cooperation – including Australian support for medical research, pandemic preparedness and rural and remote healthcare in Vietnam.
The digital economy agreement forms part of a wider push to deepen science, technology and innovation links between the two countries.
At a Vietnam-Australia technology and innovation forum held during the visit, Vietnam’s Minister of Science and Technology Vũ Hải Quân identified AI, cybersecurity, biotechnology and other strategic technologies as priority areas for cooperation.
He also called for greater cooperation on digital transformation and AI projects involving specific industries and businesses – particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, with projects expected to provide both practical commercial outcomes and evidence to support government policy development.
Vietnam was also seeking closer links between Australian and Vietnamese universities, research organisations, businesses and investment funds – including joint research groups, laboratories and programs bringing researchers together with industry.
President Tô Lâm said the countries should move from technology transfer towards joint research and development and create stronger links between their respective innovation ecosystems. Priority areas identified included AI, digital technologies and biotechnology.
The two countries also want to encourage Australian investment in Vietnam’s digital infrastructure, including data centres and innovation centres, as well as establishing joint R&D centres, laboratories and business incubation programs.
A separate joint statement on science, technology and innovation confirmed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on digital economy cooperation and highlighted existing work on responsible AI, critical and emerging technologies and commercialising research.
It also highlighted the second phase of the Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technology Centre, which is initially focused on 5G applications and related enabling technologies, and called for stronger links between government, universities and industry to move research into practical and commercially valuable applications.
The agreements form part of the countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the agreements would create new opportunities for trade and investment and strengthen education and research links between Australia and Vietnam.
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