Trade hits record, but red tape lingers.

• Author: Le, Vi

After more than 25 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Vietnam, trade and investment between the two countries is entering a mature stage.

Two-way trade is growing strongly and, in 1998, broke the A$1 billion Australian dollar mark for the first time.

Australian products and services are making significant inroads into the Vietnamese market, with companies such as the ANZ Bank, Telstra, Vina-Leighton and many other services companies and educational institutions achieving wide name recognition.

In addition, Australian dairy products, wine and beer brands such as Lindemans, Hardys and Foster's, and buildings products such as BHP Steel and Austnam roofing are becoming well-known household brands.

The wide diversity of Australian trade and investment...