Opportunities for collaboration between Vietnam and Tasmania across the education, agriculture, mining and energy sectors have been highlighted during a visit to Hanoi.

The Premier, Lara Giddings, said Tasmanian education organisations and companies had a depth of expertise that was increasingly sought-after overseas.

"Educators and intellectual property across a range of industries are becoming a major export commodity," Ms Giddings said.

"There is enormous potential to increase overseas collaborations with Tasmanian companies and research organisations."

Ms Giddings was joined by University of Tasmania vice-chancellor, Peter Rathjen, to discuss collaborations which will assist the institution to achieve its goal of doubling its intake of international students.

The itinerary included a visit to the Temple of Literature and the KOTO hospitality school.

As at July 2012, across all education sectors in Australia, Vietnam was the fifth largest source of overseas students, with 19,643 enrolments.    

Tasmania had enrolments of 102 students with 84 at UTAS, providing plenty of room for expansion.

Ms Giddings said the Australian Maritime College already had an established relationship with the Vietnamese Maritime University.

"The AMC has a depth of expertise in areas of theory such as maritime law and logistics which can be used to complement the more practical teaching of the Vietnamese National University," Ms Giddings said.

"There is an opportunity to explore greater collaboration including through the exchange of students, teachers and researchers."

Ms Giddings said the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture was also working with Vietnamese farmers to improve farming efficiency and modern farming techniques.

"There are opportunities for collaboration in Vietnam's booming aquaculture industry.  Officials were particularly interested in the possible application of the Sense T technology currently being developed by the CSIRO and UTAS, with the support of the State and Federal Governments.

"And although Vietnam already has extensive renewable hydroelectricity assets, there is an increasing need to improve the efficiency and reliability of the network.

"As we have already seen through the signing of a share sale agreement with Guohua energy for the Musselroe Wind Farm, Hydro Tasmania's renewable expertise is highly regarded in this region.

"Vietnam is also a highly mineralised country but it lacks sophisticated mining techniques and equipment.  This is another area where Tasmania has world-renowned expertise through companies like Caterpillar Elphinstone."

Ms Giddings said in order to make the most of the Asian Century, it was important to identify what Tasmania could contribute to the region, not simply what it could gain.

"It is clear that while Tasmania can reap the benefits of the Asian century, we can also contribute a lot to the development of this region across a range of areas."