Chief Minister Andrew Barr will meet education, tourism and business leaders in Vietnam this week on the ACT's first dedicated trade mission to the country of more than 102 million people.
Mr Barr, whose trip will cost about $14,000, said Vietnam was one of the region's "most dynamic economies" and a priority market for the ACT, where education is the largest export industry.
"We want more Vietnamese students to choose Canberra's schools, colleges and universities and to become lifelong ambassadors for Canberra," Mr Barr said.
"We also want to attract more visitors, strengthen research and innovation partnerships, deepen sustainability cooperation and create new opportunities for Canberra businesses.
"This will support jobs, economic diversification and long-term prosperity for Canberrans."
The ACT government said schools, colleges and universities in the territory were well-placed to attract more Vietnamese students, while enticing Vietnam's growing middle class as tourists was a significant opportunity.
"The mission will support new partnerships between Canberra and Vietnamese universities, schools and research organisations, strengthen student recruitment pathways, grow alumni engagement and expand collaboration in areas where Canberra has internationally recognised expertise, including public policy, cyber security, sustainability, health, digital technologies and urban planning," the government said.
Mr Barr will visit Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi and will meet tourism and business leaders across a series of receptions that will also highlight Canberra's environmental technology credentials.
"The mission will support stronger inbound tourism partnerships, increase the inclusion of Canberra in Vietnamese travel programs, and strengthen the case for additional international flights through Canberra Airport," the government said.
Mr Barr's trip is also set to include meetings with Vingroup, one of the largest companies in Vietnam, and visits to "VinUniversity and Vinhomes developments, to explore opportunities in education, research, innovation and sustainable city development".
The government said the trade mission was supported by Austrade, Tourism Australia and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
"Australia and Vietnam recorded bilateral trade worth more than $21 billion annually, highlighting the growing importance of the relationship and the opportunities for further economic cooperation," the government said.
Mr Barr, who is also the ACT's minister for economic development, tourism and trade, led a trade mission to India in February to promote international education and tourism.
"Canberra offers strong pathways to employability, with close connections between universities, government, industry and innovation sectors. So, students who choose Canberra are not just choosing a university; they are choosing a city where they can study, work, build careers and connect directly with Australian national institutions and global research leaders," Mr Barr told the Legislative Assembly in March.
"This combination of liveability, safety, quality and employability is what makes Canberra uniquely attractive for Indian students and their families. India's young and globally minded population is seeking high quality international education, and Canberra is well placed to meet that demand."
The ACT government released an international engagement strategy in December 2022, with efforts targeting New Zealand, Singapore, the United States, Japan, India, the United Kingdom, the European Union, the Pacific region, South Korea, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
