Up to 200 young Australians and 200 young Vietnamese will be granted visas so that they can experience each other’s culture through a new exchange programme.

‘Our two countries have a strong and positive relationship and this arrangement will further foster people to people links between the two countries,’ said Immigration Minister Peter Dutton.

‘The new arrangement will increase opportunities for young adults between 18 and 30 to experience a new culture whilst being able to work and study for a year,’ he explained.

Assistant Minister for Immigration Michaelia Cash said over the coming months, both countries will be working closely to implement the necessary legal and administrative processes to bring the new visa into effect.

‘This is a great opportunity for young people to experience a once in a lifetime cultural exchange while at the same time strengthening links between our two countries,’ she added.

Vietnam is the latest country to have a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement with Australia. Similar agreements already exist with Israel, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Poland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Turkey, the United States and Uruguay.

The Work and Holiday visa differs from a Working Holiday visa as it requires applicants to have the support of their government, hold or be studying towards tertiary qualifications and to speak functional English.