Govt told to check on returned Vietnamese

A watchdog group has called for the welfare of asylum seekers returned to Vietnam to be on the agenda at a human rights dialogue.

Senior officials from Australia and Vietnam will meet in Canberra for annual talks on Friday.

Human Rights Watch says the Australian contingent should ask about the whereabouts and welfare of two groups of recently-returned asylum seekers and demand the release of any in custody.

Australian border authorities returned 46 asylum seekers to Vietnam in April.

Asylum seekers on another boat which approached Western Australia's north coast in July have also been returned to Vietnam and upon arrival three were detained by authorities.

Australia does not keep track of asylum seekers sent back and relies solely on the trust of Vietnam's assurances that it won't punish people.