Countries across the Indo-Pacific need to collectively resolve to act responsibly and manage great power competition in the region.

That will be a key message from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as he delivers a keynote address to the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

The speech, to be given in front of the likes of US defence secretary Lloyd Austin and senior Chinese defence officials on Friday night AEST, is being flagged as Mr Albanese's most significant global security address this year.

Convened by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the dialogue is the premier forum for government leaders and experts to discuss regional security.

Mr Albanese said in a statement he would outline "Australia's vision for a stable, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific".

The prime minister was due to meet with Lee Hsien Loong, but the Singaporean leader is isolating with COVID-19.

He will now meet Acting Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

Mr Wong is considered the likely successor to Mr Lee when he steps down before the 2025 election.

Mr Lee visited Australia in 2022, when the leaders signed a green economy deal that will be discussed further in Singapore as businesses and government seek to activate it.

Mr Albanese will also make his first trip as leader to Vietnam over the weekend, meeting the country's senior leadership.

The country of more than 100 million people has a growing middle class, and aims to have "developed nation" status by 2045.

Australia is looking to boost tourism, education and alcohol exports.

Mr Albanese will attend events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Vietnam.

Australia is home to about 350,000 people of Vietnamese background.

© AAP 2023