The Defence Section of the Australian Embassy acts as a conduit between the Australian and Vietnamese defence organisations, to enhance the military relationship between the two countries. The Section also attends to visiting Australian ships, aircraft and personnel in all areas of Vietnam, and generally acts as an experienced group of in-country facilitators in any Defence-related activity involving both Australia and Vietnam.
Strategic Airlift of Vietnamese Peacekeepers to South Sudan, June 2023
Defence Relationship
The relationship is particularly supported through reciprocal training under the Defence Cooperation Program (DCP) between Vietnam and Australia. This program sees service personnel training in both countries. This takes the form of long-term professional development courses and short courses for Vietnamese personnel at Defence institutions in Australia, Mobile Training Team visits to Vietnam and individual training in Australia.
Defence relations between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Australia were formalized in February 1999, when an Australian Defence Attaché was posted to Hanoi.
- Prior to this, there had been minimal Defence interaction, comprising visits by Joint Services Staff College ('96, '98) and preliminary discussions on cooperative Anti-Malarial Research.
- A Colonel of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA) became the first Vietnamese military officer trained in Australia under the Defence Program when he commenced Australian Defence College in January 1999.
- Government policy has consistently been that bilateral Defence relations will proceed "at a pace comfortable to both sides"
The Australia-Vietnam Defence relationship has developed significantly since the Memorandum of Understanding for Defence Cooperation was signed by our Defence Ministers in November 2010. Australia now engages the VPA in practical activities, such as limited training activities between all branches of the ADF and VPA. At Vietnam’s request, Australia has also taken a lead role in providing English Language and specialist training to VPA peacekeepers prior to their deployment on UN peacekeeping duties in South Sudan since 2014.
Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Toowoomba conducting a goodwill visit to Ho Chi Minh City, and activities with the Vietnam People’s Navy, October 2023
Defence Personnel Visiting Vietnam – Official Business
Defence personnel who are proposing to visit Vietnam on official business should contact the Defence Attaché Office as soon as their travel requirements arise. Note that for all types of passport, at least 6 months validity is required by the end of travel date. For official passports, e-visas are not possible. The Defence Attaché Office can provide the latest advice on how to obtain a visa, which may take up to 10 business days to process.
Defence Personnel Visiting Vietnam – Holiday
Defence personnel who are proposing to visit Vietnam other than “official business” are requested to notify the Defence Administrative Assistant by e-mail of the following information:
- Regimental Particulars/Employee ID.
- Arrival and departure date in Vietnam.
- Reasons for visiting Vietnam.
- Brief itinerary whilst in Vietnam.
- Contact number (either mobile or phone number of hotel/s).
Defence personnel are to ensure that all administrative requirements for overseas leave are carried out, as per Form AB644, particularly with Section 3 of that form completed.
Contacts
Defence Attaché (DA): Group Captain Mick Jansen
First Secretary Defence: Ms. Peita Spence
Assistant Defence Attaché: Lieutenant Commander David Ngothanh
Defence Cooperation Education Officer (DCEO): Major Reid Pryor
Defence Administrative Assistant: Warrant Officer Class Two Duncan Reid
Manager Attaché Coordination: Ms Lê Ngọc Anh
Assistant Attaché Coordination: Ms Nguyễn Thị Duyên
Defence Cooperation Program Manager: Ms Lê Minh Thu
Defence Cooperation Program Assistant: Ms Phạm Hà Anh
Tel: +84 24 3774 0100
Other Information
For more information on the Australian Defence Force (ADF), see the links below.