Ambassador to Vietnam

Today I announce the appointment of Ms Gillian Bird PSM as Australia’s next Ambassador to Vietnam.

The Australia-Vietnam relationship has never been stronger.

The elevation of Australia-Vietnam relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024 places us in each other’s top tier of relationships and gives new momentum to our continued cooperation.

Our relationship is underpinned by dynamic economic and trade links – Australia's two-way trade with Vietnam is at record highs and we continue to expand our economic engagement, including in key sectors identified in Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.

Vietnam has been Australia’s strongest major growth market for international visitors and is also a popular destination among Australian travellers.

Ms Bird is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Australia’s Ambassador to France. She has also previously served overseas as Ambassador and Permanent Representative, United Nations, New York.

I thank former Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski AM for his contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Vietnam since 2022.