AREAS OF FOCUS

Through the VAC, Vietnam and Australia are collaborating across three key areas to strengthen Vietnamese public sector leadership and policy development, and build a strong relationship.

Leadership and professional development

Strategic Leadership Course: The VAC’s flagship leadership program equips current and emerging public sector leaders with contemporary strategic leadership capabilities and strengthens their ability to engage effectively on international and cross-sector issues.

Women in Leadership Journey: This program strengthens the skills, knowledge, networks and confidence of senior and emerging women leaders, supporting their leadership advancement and contributions to gender equality and broader inclusion.

Specialist Certificate in University Teaching: This professional development program builds the teaching capabilities of lecturers from VAC partner organisations to support the continuing professional education of Vietnam’s future .

Strategic Leadership Workshops for the HCMA Advanced Political Theory (APT) Program: Delivered annually, these workshops strengthen strategic thinking, leadership capability, and policy engagement among public sector officials operating in an increasingly dynamic reform environment.

Leadership Competencies for Government Senior Executives (LeadCom). An initiative designed to strengthen modern leadership and management capabilities among senior provincial leaders to address emerging national, regional and global challenges.

Partnerships and Knowledge Exchange

Knowledge Exchange: Knowledge exchange initiatives, including policy dialogues and study visits to Australia, facilitate the sharing of policy experience, expertise and good practice. These activities strengthen relationships between government agencies, research institutions, and the private sector organisations in both countries.

Vietnam Australia Forum: The Forum is the VAC’s premier annual dialogue platform, bringing together policymakers, government officials, experts and thought leaders from Vietnam and Australia to exchange perspectives on shared priorities and emerging regional opportunities and challenges.

Research and Evidence-informed Policy

Gender Equality Index Research: This collaborative initiative between Vietnamese and Australian partners, through the Centre for Gender Studies and Women’s Rights (GWR), is developing an evidence-based index to measure and advance women’s leadership representation in Vietnam’s public sector. The final phase will refine and test the Index ahead of dissemination in June 2027.

Doi Moi Research Series: This series examined Vietnam’s socio-economic progress over four decades of Doi Moi reforms, generating evidence and analysis to inform Vietnam’s development vision to 2045 and preparations for the 14th National Congress.

Policy Research Grants: Through annual grants, the VAC supports policy research led by Foundational Partners that contributes to evidence-informed policymaking, addresses Vietnam’s development priorities and strengthens the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.