Vietnam is ASEAN’s leading expansion market for Australian businesses

On 11 December, in collaboration with the Australian Embassy, AusCham Vietnam successfully hosted the Vietnam Launch of the Australian Business in Southeast Asia Survey 2025 at RMIT University Vietnam, bringing together senior representatives from government, academia, and the Australian business community to examine key trends shaping Australia-Vietnam and broader ASEAN economic engagement.

The event provided a timely platform to unpack business sentiment, regional opportunities and strategic priorities for Australian companies operating in or considering expansion into Vietnam and Southeast Asia, against the backdrop of Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 (Invested 2040).

The morning commenced with welcome remarks from Mr Edwin Law, Executive Director of AusCham Vietnam, who outlined the purpose of the survey launch and highlighted why the findings are critical for Australian businesses navigating an increasingly complex regional landscape.

Representing the Australian Government, Ms Renée Deschamps, Deputy Ambassador of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, underscored the importance of ASEAN to Australia’s long-term economic strategy and reaffirmed Vietnam’s growing role as a key partner within Australia-ASEAN economic ties. Her remarks highlighted the strength of the Australia-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the practical initiatives being deployed to support Australian trade, investment, innovation, and education engagement across the region

The survey overview was delivered by Mr Layton Pike, Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor, International & Engagement, RMIT University, setting the context for the findings and reinforcing the survey’s role as AustCham ASEAN’s flagship annual research initiative, developed in partnership with RMIT University. He noted the scale and credibility of the survey, now in its ninth edition, with 341 respondents across ASEAN and Vietnam recording the highest number of country-specific responses this year.

Presenting the key findings, Ms Natalie Fairlie, Vice President of AusCham Vietnam, highlighted Vietnam’s position as the number one prospective expansion market in ASEAN, with 61% of respondents considering Vietnam for future growth and 44% planning concrete expansion by 2026 – the highest across the region. The presentation also explored the growing importance of ASEAN integration, the widespread use of AANZFTA and RCEP and the evolving risk landscape, where global political instability remains the most significant concern for businesses operating in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

The event concluded with a panel discussion titled “Vietnam & ASEAN 2026: Strategic Opportunities and Pathways for Australian Business Expansion”, moderated by Mr Edwin Law. The panel discussion, featuring Mr Christopher Morley, Trade and Investment Commissioner for Vietnam and Cambodia at Austrade; Ms Natalie Fairlie, Vice President of AusCham Vietnam; and Dr Hung Nguyen, Senior Program Manager in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at RMIT University Vietnam, provided practical insights into regional expansion and market readiness. The discussion explored expansion drivers, skilled labour challenges and practical advice for Australian companies assessing Vietnam and ASEAN growth strategies in 2026, followed by an interactive Q&A session with attendees. 

In closing, AusCham Vietnam reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Australian and Vietnamese businesses through advocacy, knowledge-sharing and coordinated engagement with key partners, including the Australian Embassy, Austrade, RMIT University Vietnam, and AustCham ASEAN. The event concluded with a networking session that facilitated constructive dialogue and relationship-building among participants, reinforcing the survey launch as a platform for practical engagement and the continued strengthening of Australia-Vietnam economic cooperation.