The VSAA is a non-political, autonomous organisation which:
- serves as a nationwide association of scholars interested in Vietnam, representing all academic disciplines
- promotes the advancement of scholarship on Vietnam in Australia
- facilitates communications between the various programs and individuals in Australia involved in Vietnam studies
- affirms and upholds the professional interests of scholars interested in Vietnam
- represents the VSAA to relevant domestic and foreign agencies
- represents Vietnam studies within the Asian Studies Association of Australia
