Vietnam and Australia hold their seventh maritime dialogue.

Vietnam and Australia held their seventh Maritime Dialogue. (Source: Vietnam National Committee for Maritime Affairs)

The Vietnamese inter-agency delegation was led by Mr. Tran Truong Thuy, Deputy Chairman of the National Border Committee, Ministry of Foreign Affairs . The Australian inter-agency delegation was led by Ms. Lindsay Buckingham, Deputy Director of the Southeast Asia Strategy and Development Division, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

In an atmosphere of trust, frankness, and cooperation, the two sides engaged in extensive and substantive exchanges on regional and international situations, the situation in the South China Sea, maritime security issues, the law of the sea, and ocean governance of mutual interest.

Both sides emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, and resolving disputes peacefully on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Both sides also affirmed their commitment to continue close coordination on maritime issues at regional and international forums.

The two sides reviewed the results of maritime cooperation since the Sixth Dialogue (October 16, 2025), and exchanged views on directions and measures to promote maritime cooperation in the coming period. Both sides reaffirmed that maritime cooperation is an important strategic aspect, bringing practical benefits to both sides and contributing to strengthening, deepening, and concretizing the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Australia.

The delegates pose for a group photo. (Source: National Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs)

Previously, on September 30th, the Channel 1.5 Maritime Dialogue took place in Canberra, with the participation of scholars from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and several Australian research institutions, along with representatives from relevant agencies of both countries. Delegates discussed the strategic landscape and regional stability, maritime governance, and the role of international law. The results of the Channel 1.5 Dialogue were reported at the Channel 1 Dialogue, providing further basis and ideas for maritime cooperation between the two countries.

On the occasion of the Dialogue, Ms. Michelle Chan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, cordially received the Vietnamese inter-ministerial delegation. Deputy Minister Michelle Chan emphasized that the maritime sector holds a central position in the shared security and prosperity of both countries; Australia wishes to continue cooperating with Vietnam for secure, sustainable, resilient oceans and upholding UNCLOS.

Deputy Chairman Tran Truong Thuy shared that Australia and Vietnam have many common interests and viewpoints on maritime issues, highly appreciated the results of the Dialogue, and hoped that both sides would continue to promote increasingly substantive and effective maritime cooperation.

During their time in Australia, the Vietnamese inter-ministerial delegation also visited and worked with a number of Australian agencies, functional units, and research institutes.